Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Dec 2023)
Risk Factors and Etiology Comparison of Anterior vs Posterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Based on Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke Registry in Bou Ali Sina Hospital, Sari, 2020-2022
Abstract
Background and purpose: Ischemic strokes can be specified according to their vascular territory as anterior and posterior circulation ischemia. Although stroke has well-known risk factors, there is currently no clear information on the relationship of stroke subtypes with cerebrovascular risk factors and the etiology of stroke. The present study aimed to compare the risk factors and etiology of ischemic stroke in anterior and posterior circulation. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using 459 ischemic stroke patient data, which was recorded in the SITS registry from 2020 to 2022. Study variables, including vascular risk factors, etiology, severity of stroke, and vascular territory, were analyzed in SPSS software (version 20). Results: Among 459 patients, 239 (52.51%) cases were female. Anterior circulation and posterior circulation involvement occurred in 309 (74.82%) and 93 (22.76%) patients, respectively. The mean age of patients (69.73±13.0 vs 70.28±13.9) was similar (P=0.40). Severe stroke was observed more frequently in anterior circulation (23.52% vs 23.52%; P=0.04). Stroke with cardioembolic etiology and diabetes were reported more frequently in the posterior circulation (P=0.08; P=0.10) but with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: These findings suggest that posterior and anterior circulation ischemia are more similar than different in their etiology and risk factors. Therefore, treatment and evaluations should not be based on the territory of infarction, and all risk factors and etiologies should be evaluated in both circulation ischemia.
