[Etiology and risk factors for a first episode of cerebral isquemia in young adults].
BACKGROUND
To determinate the etiology and risk factors for a first episode of cerebral ischemia in young adults at three hospitals of Lima and Callao-Peru.


METHODS
Multicentric study carried out at three national hospitals in Lima. The sample included 30 patients with a first episode of stroke and 60 controls matched by age and sex 2:1 with the patients. Serum biochemistry studies, EKGs and echocardiograms were done. Etiologies were classified based on the classification of Baltimore-Washington Cooperative Young Stroke Study.


RESULTS
The most frequent etiologies were cardiac embolism and atherosclerotic valvular heart disease, which were 30% of the cases (9 patients) each one. Hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.014), valvular heart disease (p=0.001) and hormonal contraception/replacement therapy (p=0.002) were independent risk factors for a first episode of cerebral ischemia in peruvian young adults. Motor deficiency was the most frequent presentation (50.0%). Intracraneal hypertension and urinary tract infection were the most frequent complications during acute ischemia and mortality was raised up to 10%.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypertriglyceridemia, valvular heart disease and the use of oral contraceptives are independent risk factors for a first episode of ischemia in young adults from three hospitals of Lima and Callao. The most frequent etiologies were cardiac embolism and atheroesclerotic valvular heart disease.
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. belimed22@hotmail.com
B
B
Tarazona
W
W
Ramos
J
J
Arce
J
J
Yarinsueca
S
S
Morales
G
G
Ronceros
C
C
Galarza
J
J
Pérez
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru; D012307:Risk Factors