Abstract
Introduction: Acute stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with an increasing trend in emergency department presentations. Blockage of blood flow to the brain, even for a short period, can be disastrous, causing permanent brain damage and even death. In this study, we reviewed the initial examination findings, clinical characteristics, and demographic profile of acute stroke patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in western Nepal.
Methods: All stroke patients presenting to the emergency department within 24 hours of symptom onset during the six-month study period (November 2022 to April 2023) were included. Data regarding age, sex, type of stroke, medical history, and clinical presentation were recorded, analyzed, and presented.
Results: More than half of the stroke cases were between 40–80 years of age, with the youngest patient being 22 years old. Ischemic stroke was more common (70.36%) than hemorrhagic stroke (29.64%). Gender-wise distribution showed 161 (57.50%) males and 119 (42.50%) females. The most common modifiable risk factor was hypertension (45%), followed by smoking and tobacco chewing (27.14%). The commonest presenting complaint among ischemic stroke patients was hemiparesis/hemiplegia (48.22%), while hemorrhagic stroke patients most commonly presented with impairment or loss of consciousness (48.19%).
Conclusion: The majority of stroke patients presented with various neurological signs and symptoms related to the extent and site of brain involvement and underlying causes. Early recognition, prompt neuroimaging, and targeted risk factor modification are essential to improve stroke outcomes in resource-limited settings.
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