Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults Caused by Cervical Artery Dissection-A Retrospective Study
Lucija Jazbec1, Marija Menih2, Rok Arh1
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
Insights
Cervical artery dissection is a significant cause of ischemic stroke in young adults. Patients with dissection were less likely to have hypertension and had longer hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally.
- Cervical artery dissection is a primary cause of ischemic stroke in young adults, accounting for approximately 20% of cases.
- Identified risk factors for dissection include male gender, migraine, hyperhomocysteinemia, and recent trauma, while hypercholesterolemia and being overweight may be protective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of ischemic stroke patients, with a focus on cervical artery dissection.
- To analyze the relationship between arterial hypertension and cervical artery dissection in young stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of ischemic stroke patients aged 18-49 hospitalized between 2010-2019.
- Data analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28.
- Statistical significance determined with a p-value < 0.05.
Main Results:
- The study included 196 patients with 198 ischemic stroke events.
- Cervical artery dissection was identified in 8.2% of cases (16 patients).
- Patients with dissection were less likely to have arterial hypertension and experienced significantly longer hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- Cervical or intracranial artery dissection is a crucial factor in ischemic stroke, particularly among young adults.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering dissection in young stroke patients lacking traditional risk factors.
- Arterial hypertension appears less prevalent in young stroke patients with dissection.
Abstract:
Background Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of death and disability. The most common independent cause is cervical artery dissection, which represents around 20% of all cases of ischemic stroke in young adults. Risk factors for dissection include male gender, migraine (particularly with aura), hyperhomocysteinemia, recent infection, recent history of minor cervical trauma, young age, current smoking status, increased leucocyte count, and shortened activated partial thromboplastin time, whereas hypercholesterolemia and being overweight appear protective. Patients and Methods This retrospective study was based on data of all patients aged 18 to 49 who were hospitalized in the University Medical Centre Maribor for ischemic stroke between 2010 and 2019 inclusive. The results of the research were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics 28 software. For statistical significance, a cut-off value of p < 0.05 was used. Results The study includes 196 patients with 198 events of ischemic stroke. Dissection of cervical arteries was presented in 16 (8.2%) cases. The presence of arterial hypertension proved to have a relation with the presence of a dissection; patients with dissection are less likely to suffer from arterial hypertension. Duration of hospitalization in the group with dissection lasted significantly longer than in the group without dissection. Conclusions Dissection of cervical or intracranial artery is an important cause of ischemic stroke, especially in young adults. Therefore, it should be considered in young adults with presentation of stroke who lack traditional and modifiable risk factors.
