Stroke Recurrence among 30 Days Survivors of Ischemic Stroke in a Prospective Community-Based Study

A Cohort of 209 Patients (105 Men and 104 Women), Who Survived 30 Days after 'first Ever-In-Lifetime Ischemic Stroke' Were Followed for One Year. Predictors of Survival Were Examined by Log-Rank Test and Cox Proportional Hazards Method. Twenty-Four Patients Had a Stroke Recurrence (11.4%). Thirteen of the Patients with Recurrent Stroke (54%) Died Because of the Sequelae of the Second Stroke. Stroke Recurred in 16% of Patients with Stoke Due to Atherosclerosis, in 12.5% of Patients with Cardioembolic Stroke, and in 4.4% of Patients with Lacunar Stroke. the Life Table Cumulative Risk of Death at 6 and 12 Months for Patients with Recurrent Stroke Was Statistically Higher (22% and 57%) Than Patients Without Recurrent Stroke (13% and 29% Respectively). History of Untreated Hypertension Prior to the Initial Stroke (RR = 1.7, 95% Cl 1.2-4.1, P<0.05) Was an Independent Predictor of Recurrence. in 134 Patients (64.9%) Aspirin Was Initiated during the First Month after Stroke. Only 81 Patients (39.8%) Continued Aspirin Treatment for the Whole Year. Life Table Cumulative Risk of Mortality among the Patients Treated with Aspirin Was 8% at 6 Months and 12% at 1 Year Compared to 19% at 6 Months and 45% at 12 Months for Those Untreated with Aspirin. We Conclude that the High Risk of Recurrent Stroke in Poland Could Be Reduced by Increased Use of Anti-Platelets Therapy and Anti-Hypertensive Therapy after Ischemic Stroke.