Effect of Heart Failure on Acute Ischemic Stroke Severity

Objectives: To assess the impact of heart failure diseases on stroke severity and short term (1 month mortality). Materials and Methods: Totally, 200 patients admitted to Ain Shams university specialized hospital, were diagnosed clinically to have acute ischemic stroke within 3 days. History taking about previous heart disease was taken, and full general and neurological examinations were done. Full metabolic profile, cardiac examination and investigations were done. Carotid duplex, MRI stroke protocol and lastly clinical reevaluation using NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after 1 month from stroke onset were done. Results: Patients with systolic dysfunction (EF ≤ 40%) had lacunar infarction in 18.75% of cases, partial anterior circulation infarction in 62.5% of cases, posterior circulation infarction in 6.25% of cases and total anterior circulation infarction in 12.5% of cases. Leucoaraiosis was present in 87% of cases and significant intracranial vessel stenosis was showed in 87.5% who had done MRI. Their median NIHSS score at admission was 10.5 with IQR of 5 - 21 and at follow-up it was 5 with IQR of 2.5 - 10.5. At follow-up 22.7% (5 patients) were dead. Conclusion: Systolic dysfunction (EF < 40) i.e. heart failure has no significant effect on stroke severity and 1 month follow up prognosis.