Abstract 1122‐000209: Cannabis and Cerebrovascular Outcomes: A National Registry Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Recreational and medical cannabis use in the United States has been increasing in recent years in light of state and federal efforts to decriminalize and legalize its use. Its legal status has long precluded extensive research into its adverse effects, especially as it pertains to the realm of vascular and cerebrovascular outcomes. To date, minimal research has been completed on the sequelae of cannabis in inpatient admissions for stroke. Methods: A query of the 2012–2015 Nationwide Inpatient Sample searched for patients admitted with stroke ICD‐9 diagnoses. These patients were then grouped by the presence of concurrent diagnosis of cannabis use disorder, and compared with respect to various peri‐ and postoperative complications, all‐cause mortality, discharge disposition, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Propensity score matching was utilized to control for potential baseline confounders. Results: A total of 414,340 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria, 6794 (1.64%) of whom had cannabis use disorder. After controlling for baseline characteristics, these patients had higher rates of inpatient mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.43; p = 0.01263), and non‐routine discharge, as well as increased lengths of stay (6.5 vs 5.7 days, p<0.001) and no significant difference in hospitalization charges ($67507 vs. $ 63328 10, p = 0.3918). Conclusions: Based on a national trends analysis, chronic cannabis use appears to be associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality among patients admitted for stroke diagnoses. Physicians should ensure affected patients be adequately informed of associated risks. Further research should include matching of risk factors not captured in databases.

Keywords

• Acute Stroke