The Stroke Unit Benefit for Improved Diagnostics in Patients with Cerebro-Vascular Accidents

Czech version

Authors: R. Herzig ¹; I. Vlachová ¹; B. Křupka ¹; D. Šaňák ¹; A. Bártková ¹; J. Mareš ¹; D. Školoudík ¹; M. Král ¹; J. Zapletalová ²; P. Kaňovský ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc ¹; Pracoviště biometrie, Ústav lékařské biofyziky, LF UP a FN Olomouc ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2007; 70/103(3): 272-276
Category: Short Communication

Overview

Introduction:
The stroke unit (SU) care has been shown to improve diagnostics and treatment, resulting in better clinical outcome in stroke patients.

Patients and methods:
In a retrospective, hospital-based study, the availability of diagnostic methods for stroke patients was assessed in 205 patients treated after the opening of a SU, and in a control group of 300 patients treated prior to the opening of a SU at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic. The availability of the following diagnostic methods was observed: brain computerized tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US) of the extracranial brain arteries, X-ray of the chest, electrocardiogram (ECG) incl. ECG-monitoring, and laboratory screening. The homogeneity χ2 test was applied when assessing statistical significance.

Results:
The following availability of particular diagnostic methods after versus prior to the SU opening was observed – since the admission within 24 hours/after 24 hours/not performed: brain CT 96.1% / 1.5% / 2.4% versus 23.3% / 25.7% / 51.0%; extracranial brain arteries US 26.4% / 39.1% / 34.5% versus 3.7% / 31.0% / 65.3%; X-ray of the chest 74.6% / 14.7% / 10.7% versus 30.7% / 53.3% / 16.0%; ECG incl. ECG-monitoring 96.1% / 0% / 3.9% versus 0% / 0% / 100%; laboratory screening – since the admission complete within 24 hours / partial / not performed 100% / 0% / 0% versus 3% / 96.3% / 0.7% (p < 0.0001 in all cases).

Conclusion:
The SU care significantly improved acute stroke diagnostics at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Key words:
stroke unit – acute stroke – diagnostics

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