Predictors of acute stroke mimics in 8187 patients referred to a stroke service

José G. Merino, Marie Luby, Richard T. Benson, Lisa A. Davis, Amie W. Hsia, Lawrence L. Latour, John K. Lynch, Steven Warach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Some patients seen by a stroke team do not have cerebrovascular disease but a condition that mimics stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and predictors of stroke mimics in a large sample. Methods: This is an analysis of data from consecutive patients seen by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Program over 10 years. Data were collected prospectively as a quality improvement initiative. Patients with a cerebrovascular event or a stroke mimic were compared with the Student t or Pearson chi-square test as appropriate, and logistic regression was done to identify independent predictors. Results: The analysis included 8187 patients: 30% had a stroke mimic. Patients with a stroke mimic were younger, and the proportion of patients with a stroke mimic was higher among women, patients without any risk factors, those seen as a code stroke or who arrived to the emergency department via personal vehicle, and those who had the onset of symptoms while inpatients. The proportion of patients with a stroke mimic was marginally higher among African-Americans than Caucasians. Factors associated with the greatest odds of having a stroke mimic in the logistic regression were lack of a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation or hyperlipidemia. Conclusions: One third of the patients seen by a stroke team over 10 years had a stroke mimic. Factors associated with a stroke mimic may be ascertained by an emergency physician before calling the stroke team.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e397-e403
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume22
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Keywords

  • Acute stroke
  • diagnosis
  • emergency medicine
  • stroke mimics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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