Long-term neurological, vascular, and mortality outcomes after stroke

Abstract

Background Despite improved survival and short-term (90-day) outcomes of ischemic stroke patients, only sparse data exist describing the sustained benefits of acute stroke care interventions and long-term prognosis of stroke survivors. Aim We review the contemporary literature assessing long-term (5 years or more) outcomes after stroke and acute stroke treatment. Summary of review Acute stroke unit care and intravenous thrombolysis have sustained benefits over longer follow-up, but few data exist on the long-term outcome after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). A large proportion of stroke survivors face challenges of residual disability and neuropsychiatric sequelae (especially affective disorders and epilepsy) which affects their quality of life and is associated with poorer prognosis due to increase in stroke recurrences/mortality. Nearly, a quarter of stroke survivors have a recurrent stroke at 5 years, and nearly double that at 10 years. Mortality after recurrent stroke is high, and half of the stroke survivors are deceased at 5 years after stroke and three fourth at 10 years. Long-term all-cause mortality is largely due to conditions other than stroke. Both stroke recurrence and long-term mortality are affected by several modifiable risk factors, and thus amenable to secondary prevention strategies. Conclusions There is a need for studies reporting longer term effects of acute interventions, especially EVT. Better preventive strategies are warranted to reduce the vascular and non-vascular mortality long after stroke.