Clinical features of the course of ischemic stroke in young patients

Objective: to study the clinical and prognostic features of ischemic stroke in young adults based on a comprehensive assessment of clinical, instrumental, and functional parameters.

Material and methods: the study included young adult patients aged 18–45 years with acute ischemic stroke who were treated in neurological inpatient departments. A comprehensive clinical and instrumental assessment was performed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Glasgow Coma Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and Barthel Index. All patients underwent neuroimaging examinations, including computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, as well as ultrasound assessment of cerebral hemodynamics. Traditional and non-traditional stroke risk factors, clinical course characteristics, and functional outcomes were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out using standard methods of variational statistics.

Results: ischemic stroke in young adults was characterized by clinical heterogeneity and multifactorial pathogenesis.

The leading risk factors included arterial hypertension, cardiogenic disorders, coagulopathies, and behavioral factors. The severity of neurological deficit ranged from mild to severe. More favorable functional outcomes were observed in patients with lower baseline NIHSS scores and earlier initiation of treatment. An association was identified between neuroimaging findings, the severity of cerebral hemodynamic disturbances, and disease prognosis.

Conclusions: ischemic stroke in young adults has a number of clinical and prognostic features that distinguish it from stroke in older patients. A comprehensive assessment of clinical, instrumental, and prognostic parameters can improve prognostic accuracy and optimize management strategies in this patient population.

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