[Prognosis after stroke].

Abstract

The outcome of 100 own cases of acute ischaemic cerebral infarction was investigated and the literature was reviewed in order to identify factors of prognostic relevance in ischaemic cerebral infarction and spontaneous intracerebral haematoma. Intentionally not taking into account the various pharmacological treatment strategies, the following factors were investigated: the initial acute clinical symptomatology including psychopathological features, the severity and extent of the underlying structural lesion, the time span between onset of symptoms and start of treatment, facilities for early and later rehabilitation measures, existing risk factors, the age of the patient and his or her social relations. These parameters were evaluated in relation to a realistic therapeutic goal defined for each individual case. Results indicate that the following items seem to be connected with a more favourable prognosis: A more circumscript disease process without relevant psychopathological defects, especially without dementia, an intact family background or corresponding favourable social environment, the absence or successful management of risk factors, an early onset of therapy and facilities for early and subsequent rehabilitation measures.