Stroke in the ER - a prospective cohort study of patients suspected of stroke / TIA

Results Forty-five patients were included (n = 45) and received the following diagnosis: ischemic stroke/TIA 55.6% (n = 25), hemorrhagic stroke 6.7% (n = 3), other 37.8% (n = 17). Ninety-one percent (n = 41) were admitted for further examination. Eighty percent (n = 20) of patients with validated stroke were aged 61-90 years. In 91% of cases with suspected stroke, the tentative diagnosis was sustained in the ER. Of the admitted patients (n = 41), 68.3% received stroke as a final diagnosis. All patients not deemed to have stroke (31.7%) were diagnosed with stroke mimics. Of all strokes (n = 28) 89.3% were ischemic and 10.7% were hemorrhagic. In the age group 85-89 years, 50% had suffered a prior stroke. Eighty percent of admitted patients younger than 50, were diagnosed with various stroke mimics.