The impact of hyperthermia and infection on acute ischemic stroke patients in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the recognized deleterious effects of hyperthermia on critically ill neurological patients, few investigations have studied hyperthermia after an ischemic stroke in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the ICU were assigned to one of three groups: normothermia, mild hyperthermia (MH), or severe hyperthermia (SH). The etiology of hyperthermia was further divided into infectious and non-infectious groups.

Results: Among the 150 patients included in the study, MH and SH were observed in 15 and 40 patients, respectively. Hyperthermia and the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score were independently related to in-hospital mortality and increased length of stay in the ICU (ILOS, > or =4 days).

Discussion: Infection (39 patients) was more prevalent in the SH group than in the MH group and was associated with greater ILOS.

Conclusions: Monitoring and managing infection and reducing body temperature may be important factors for determining the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the ICU.