Baseline characteristics of patients with acute ischemic stroke in a suburban area of Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Development in stroke care during the past two decades has greatly reduced mortality and dependence in many developed countries. However, we still lack information about baseline characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke in Thailand, especially in suburban areas.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to study characteristics of Thai patients with ischemic stroke, including carotid stenosis and aspirin nonresponders.

METHODS: In this preliminary study, we included all patients with acute/subacute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack from August 2006 to July 2007. Information about baseline characteristics, including medication, was collected. Carotid duplex studies were performed in all patients who were clinically stable.

RESULTS: In all, 194 patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack were studied. Of patients, 62% came to the hospital within 24 hours after onset of symptoms, and 8% arrived within 3 hours. Stroke in the young was 13%. Of patients, 28% had already been on aspirin (aspirin nonresponder) before having a new ischemic stroke. Significant carotid stenosis was found in 17% (31 of 184) of the patients.

CONCLUSION: Although fewer patients came to the hospital within 3 hours after stroke onset, other baseline characteristics of Thai patients with ischemic stroke do not much differ from those of other Asian countries.