Aspiration pneumonia in stroke; study of incidence and risk factors

Abstract

Aspiration pneumonia is the chief cause of mortality and morbidity in stroke patients. Both modifiable and non modifiable risk factors determine the incidence of this complication. The present study a prospective study to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonia in all types of stroke patients. Of the 138 stroke patients studied over a 2 year period 32 cases 27.5%) had developed aspiration pneumonia. Of the continuous variables high NIHS score and low ASPECT score were directly related to the incidence of aspiration pneumonia(p<0.05) while of the categorical variables left sided strokes, posterior circulation strokes and use of proton pump inhibitors significantly increased the chances of aspiration. The volume of bleed in hemorrhagic strokes was not related. Awareness of these risk factors will help initiate early aggressive measures and avoid mechanical ventilation, prolonged ICU stay and substantially decrease the cost of stroke care.

Keywords

• hemorrhagic stroke
• aspiration
• proton pump inhibitors