ISCHEMIC STROKE: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE LENGTH OF PATIENT'S HOSPITAL STAY

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention, in order to minimize patient´s sequelae. Objective: Understand the predictive factors for length of hospital stay in patients with ischemic stroke. Method: A retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke referred by SAMU 192 to the reference hospital of the Emergency Care Network in the Metropolitan Region of Espírito Santo in 2021. Results: 241 patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke were admitted, the average age was 64 years old, the majority were over 60 years old, male and mixed-race. Besides that, 65.6% had systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), 26.1% diabetes mellitus and 4.6% obesity (4.6%). Furthermore, 17.4% were smokers and only 11.6% were alcoholics or drug users. Approximately 17% had a previous episode of stroke. Regarding the type of assistance, 73.9% received secondary care and, about the predominant resource, 72.6% were referred by the Basic Support Unit. Conclusion: The development of this study made it possible to identify that SAH, associated with alcohol and drugs, the type of therapy adopted and the severity of the condition at admission were associated with a longer hospital stay for patients with ischemic stroke. Although some factors are inherent to the individual and, therefore, incapable of prevention, other aspects are modifiable through interventions, making it possible to adopt measures that can change the epidemiological profile of the disease, the length of hospital stay and its consequential costs.