Impact of Extent of Investigation on Causes of Ischemic Stroke in The Young: A Retrospective Evaluation.

Background: Despite enormous advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke over the past decades, the extent of "standard" investigation to define its causes is heterogeneous. Young patients often undergo a myriad of diagnostic tests in developed countries, but the cost-effectiveness of this approach is uncertain.

Objectives: Our main goal was to compare the frequencies of ischemic stroke of undetermined and determined etiologies in young patients with "complete" or "incomplete" investigation according to either a stepwise or an extensive protocol.

Methods: Data from 143 young patients with ischemic stroke were reviewed. For each patient, available data were assessed by means of a stepwise and an extensive protocol of investigation. We compared the frequencies of ischemic stroke of undetermined and determined etiology according to "complete" or "incomplete" investigation according to each protocol.

Results: Completeness of investigation led to a significant increase in determination of stroke etiology when a stepwise approach but not an extensive protocol was applied.

Conclusions: These results suggest that ordering an extensive workup to all young patients does not enhance the capability of determining causes of ischemic stroke. Evidence-based guidelines to define pathways of investigation and consensus about the interpretation of tests are deeply needed.