Characterizing Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries and Stroke: A Single Center Retrospective Study

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1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To highlight the occurrence of ischemic stroke after blunt cerebrovascular injuries and discuss the neurologist's role in preventing and managing ischemic strokes in this trauma population. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed and included data from 2016 to 2019 from a Level I trauma center. Demographics, injury mechanism, ischemic stroke occurrence, interventions, and neurology consultations were examined and descriptive statistics were utilized to characterize the nature of ischemic strokes and their management. Results: A total of forty patients (81% male, average age 44) presented with blunt cerebrovascular injury, nine of whom later developed ischemic stroke. Eighteen patients had a carotid artery injury with six developing ischemic stroke. Twenty-seven patients had a vertebral artery injury with three developing ischemic stroke. Six of the nine ischemic strokes occurred on hospital day two, whereas neurology was generally consulted on hospital day four. Conclusions: A considerable portion of patients may go on to develop ischemic stroke following blunt cerebrovascular injuries. Polytrauma may interfere with prompt diagnosis which may contribute to delayed anti-thrombotic therapy for ischemic stroke prevention. Neurologists have the opportunity to reduce ischemic stroke burden in this trauma population and patients may benefit from earlier neurology consultation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number105563
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • Antithrombotic therapy
  • BCVI
  • Blunt-cerebrovascular injury
  • Stroke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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

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