Alcohol Intoxication as a Stroke Mimic and the Incidence of Acute Alcohol Intoxication in Stroke

Alcohol intoxication can be a posterior circulation stroke mimic as they share symptoms such as dysarthria, gait disturbances and nystagmus. We describe alcohol intoxication as a stroke mimic and the frequency of acute alcohol intoxication among stroke patients.

Prospective observational single-center study (2014-2017, Haga Ziekenhuis, the Hague). In all patients older than 16 years presenting as possible acute stroke less than 6 hours of onset, blood ethanol was measured; greater than 0.1 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was considered elevated.

In total 974 patients were included: 60 (6%) had elevated blood ethanol (mean: 1.3 BAC). In 180 of 974 patients (18%) a stroke mimic was diagnosed: 12 were due to alcohol intoxication (1% of total cohort, 7% of stroke mimic, mean ethanol level: 2.2 BAC). Half of these patients denied or downplayed their alcohol consumption. Stroke and concurrent alcohol intoxication occurred in 38 of 794 strokes (5%, mean ethanol level: 1.1 BAC). Compared to other stroke patients, these 38 patients presented more often after working hours (mean 6.38pm versus 2.23pm) and received alteplase and endovascular therapy less often (24% versus 43%, P = .018 and 3% versus 10%, P = .241, respectively).

Of all patients presenting as possible acute stroke, 6% also drank alcohol. 18% of the whole cohort was diagnosed with a stroke mimic. Acute alcohol intoxication as sole diagnosis was diagnosed in 1% of the total cohort and 7% of stroke mimics, 50% denied or downplayed their alcohol consumption. 5% of all stroke patients also drank alcohol, they were significantly less likely to receive alteplase or endovascular treatment.