Pilot study of the characteristics of acute stroke events in patients discharged from the Carolina University Hospital, Puerto Rico in 2007.
BACKGROUND
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Puerto Rico. We examined the pre-hospital phase, management and case-fatality-rates (CFR) of patients discharged with acute stroke from the Carolina University of Puerto Rico Hospital during 2007.


METHODS
Trained personnel collected information on demographics, delay-time, mode-of-transportation, management, and mortality from all medical records. STATAâ was utilized to conduct univariate comparison of demographics, mode-of-transportation, therapeutics and diagnostic characteristics. Logistic regression analysis assessed cohort effect and controlled for confounders.


RESULTS
The average age was 69.1 years, and 53% were males. The average delay between onset of symptoms suggestive of stroke and arrival at the emergency department was 4.5 hours. Only 62% of patients utilized Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Intravenous thrombolysis was not administered. Stroke mortality increased with age. Ischemic vs. hemorrhagic CFR was significantly higher (63.9% vs. 36.10%; p = 0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the potential benefit of evidence-based therapeutics and EMS use among stroke patients.
Zevallos
Juan Carlos
JC
Office of Clinical Research, Endowed Health Services Research Center, San Juan, PR 00936-5067. juan.zevallos@upr.edu
Gonzalez
Juan
J
Santiago
Fernando
F
Rodríguez
Rafael
R
Rivera
Ada
A
García
Ana Michelle
AM
Flecha
Felixa
F
Colón
Marielys
M
Yarzebski
Jorge
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003376:Counseling; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006753:Hospital Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents