Risk factors and outcomes in people with stroke associated with pregnancy: A retrospective single-center cohort

ObjectiveTo describe timing, antecedent events, and outcomes in pregnancy-related stroke (PAS). MethodsRetrospective single-center cohort of all PAS within 42 days of delivery from September 2010 to May 2021. Data were abstracted from medical records. ResultsAmong 51 500 births, we identified 91 cases of PAS, with a stroke rate of 177 per 100 000 births. Of all PAS, 62% (n = 56) were hemorrhagic, 56% (n = 51) occurred postpartum, 49% (n = 45) occurred in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and 36% (n = 33) had surgical interventions. There were nine deaths, with a case fatality rate of 9.9%. Of the survivors (n = 82), 37 (45.1%) had residual deficits. Patients with HDP were more likely to have a postpartum stroke than those without HDP (crude relative risk 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.16-2.55). Among patients with HDP, 89% had at least one severe range blood pressure (BP), with a peak systolic BP of 187.8 +/- 27.9 mm Hg and a peak diastolic BP of 109.4 +/- 18.4 mm Hg. There was no difference in presenting symptoms (P = 0.120), residual deficits (P = 0.609), or mortality (P = 0.739) between those with or without HDP. ConclusionsAt a referral hospital, PAS was uncommon but was associated with a high mortality rate. An improved understanding of the modifiable risk factors is warranted to avert the sequelae of PAS.

Automated summary

The study retrospectively examined the timing, antecedent events, and outcomes of pregnancy-related stroke (PAS). The results showed a relatively low incidence of PAS, but with a high mortality rate. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were identified as one of the important factors contributing to postpartum stroke.