SHORT-TERM PROGNOSIS OF VERTEBROBASILAR ISCHEMIC STROKE

Clinical, CT, Doppler, and angiographic findings of 404 consecutive patients with brainstem/cerebellar strokes were registered in a data bank. One hundred and sixty-nine of the patients (41.8%) had a minor stroke, 160 patients (39.6%) a disabling event, and 75 patients (18.6%) died during stay at the hospital. Early recurrence rate was low with 1.7%. In a forward stepwise logistic regression analysis independent variables of a disabling or fatal outcome were age, diabetes mellitus, initial somnolence or coma, tetraparesis, certain pupil abnormalities, dysarthria, an infratentorial infarct in CT, and a bilateral vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion in angiography. Independent variables of a fatal outcome were an initial decreased consciousness, tetraparesis, and a basilar artery occlusion in angiography. Without prognostic relevance in either multivariate or univariate statistical analysis were previous stroke, evidence of concomitant carotid artery disease by Doppler or CT, and unilateral vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion.