Cardiovascular risk factors in patients aged 85 or older with ischemic stroke

Objectives To define a cardiovascular risk factor profile in very old patients with ischemic stroke. Patients and methods Data from a prospective hospital-based stroke registry was collected. Demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals aged 85 years or older with ischemic stroke (n = 303) were compared with patients under 85 years (n = 1537). Results The study population accounted for 16.5% of all cases of ischemic stroke. The mean (S.D.) age was 88.2 (2.8) years (70% women). Hypertension occurred in 44.9% of patients, atrial fibrillation in 42.6%, diabetes in 16.2%, and congestive heart failure in 15.5%. The most frequent stroke subtypes were cardioembolic (36%) and atherothrombotic (31.4%) infarction. Congestive heart failure (odds ratio [OR] = 3.62), chronic renal disease (OR = 2.54), female sex (OR = 2.27), previous cerebrovascular disease (OR = 1.71), and atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.38) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke, whereas diabetes (OR = 0.68), hypertension (OR = 0.61), hyperlipidemia (OR = 0.45), and heavy smoking (OR = 0.21) occurred more frequently in patients under 85 years. Conclusion Adequate treatment of potentially modifiable risk factors, including congestive heart failure, chronic renal disease, and atrial fibrillation may contribute to prevent ischemic stroke in very old people.