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. 2018 Apr 10;5(3):241-248.
doi: 10.1002/ams2.338. eCollection 2018 Jul.

Clinical features of stroke mimics in the emergency department

Yuichi Okano  1 , Kazuaki Ishimatsu  1 , Yoichi Kato  1 , Junichi Yamaga  1 , Ken Kuwahara  1 , Katsuki Okumoto  1 , Kuniyasu Wada  1
Affiliations

Clinical features of stroke mimics in the emergency department

Yuichi Okano et al. Acute Med Surg. .

Abstract

Aim: To clarify the features of stroke mimics.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated stroke mimic cases among the suspected stroke cases examined at our emergency department, over the past 9 years, during the tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment time window.

Results: Of 1,557 suspected acute stroke cases examined at the emergency department, 137 (8.8%) were stroke mimics. The most common causes were symptomatic epilepsy (28 cases, 20.4%), neuropathy-like symptoms (21 cases, 15.3%), and hypoglycemia (15 cases, 10.9%). Outcomes were survival to hospital discharge for 91.2% and death for 8.8% of the cases. Clinical results were significantly different between stroke mimics and the stroke group for low systolic blood pressure, low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on initial treatment, history of diabetes, and no history of arrhythmia. On multivariate analysis, distinguishing factors for stroke mimics include systolic blood pressure ≤ 140 mmHg, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤ 5 points, history of diabetes, and no history of arrhythmia.

Conclusions: Frequency of stroke mimics in cases of acute stroke suspected cases is 8.8%, and the most common cause is epilepsy. In order to distinguish stroke mimics, it is useful to understand common diseases presenting as stroke mimics and evaluate clinical features different from stroke by medical interview or nerve examination.

Keywords: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; stroke; tissue‐type plasminogen activator.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Background of this single‐center retrospective cohort study of patients treated in the emergency department with suspected acute‐stage stroke. t‐PA, tissue‐type plasminogen activator.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Outcomes of 137 patients admitted to the emergency department with stroke mimics.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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