Objective:

To determine the risk factors associated with Cerebrovascular Disease as well as clinical
presentation and stroke severity presenting from January 2022- January 2024 in patients admitted to José María Cabral y Baez Hospital, Dominican Republic.

Background:

Stroke is the most important cause of disability worldwide. In the Dominican Republic, stroke has escalated from the sixth to third cause of death. According to the Panamerican Organization, Dominican Republic has on the highest level of age-standardized mortality rates in Las Americas region. Hypertension, high body mass index and high fasting plasma glucose have been reported in the literature as most prevalent risk factors in the Caribbean.

Design/Methods:

Retrospective review.

Results:

RESULTS: 360 patients were included. 61.4% of patients were Male sex. 44.7% of patients were between 51-69 years of age. 39.7% of patients more than 70 years of age followed by 15.6% of patients between 18-50 years of age. Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Smoking were more predominant risk factors, 69.2%, 34.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Most patients presented with NIHSS of 7-15 points, 42.5%, followed by NIHSS less than 6, 34.4%. 42.5% of patients presented with ASPECTS score < 5, 18.3% had an ASPECTS >7. Admission mRS < 1 represented 83.9%.

Conclusions:

Male sex and patients between 51-69 years of age were most frequently seen in our cohort. Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Smoking were the most common risk factors. Majority of patients were admitted with low ASPECTS score and with low premorbid mRS.