Analysis of echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function in patients with acute stroke.

Introduction: Cardiologic diagnostics in stroke patients is designed to identify heart disease as a potential cause of stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular systolic/diastolic dysfunction (LVSD, LVDD) on the neurological state on the 1st day of stroke, as well as post-stroke functional status at 30 days after stroke.

Patients And Methods: For a prospective study, 162 stroke patients (mean age 74 years) were qualified. They were analysed according to neurological state on the 1st day of stroke, the results of transthoracic echocardiography, and functional status at 30 days after stroke.

Results: The neurological state on the 1st day after stroke was significantly worse in patients with LVSD. In patients with reduced EF, functional status was significantly worse at 30 days after stroke. Patients with E/A 0.8-2 had a significantly worse functional status compared to patients with E/A < 0.8. Individuals with E/A 0.8-2 and segmental LVSD or EF < 50% had significantly worse functional status compared to patients without LVSD. An independent factor for moderate/severe status was identified: E/A > 0.8 (RR 3.28 [95% CI 1.15-9.37]); independent factors for poor functional status were lower EF (RR 4.68 [95% CI 1.22-18.00]) and age (RR 4.68 [95% CI 1.22-11.00]).

Conclusions: One quarter of patients in the acute phase of stroke have LVSD and/or LVDD. LVSD adversely affects both neurological status in acute stroke as well as functional status in the short-term follow-up. Age at first-in-life stroke incidence and lower EF are predictors of poor functional status one month after a stroke.