Factors in association with recurrence of cerebral infarction

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2004.16.008

Abstract：AIM: To identify the related factors and secondary prevention measures of the recurrence of cerebral infarction.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 261 cases of cerebral infarction with complete clinical record using conditional logistic regression model and chi-square test.RESULTS: Such factors as the patient' s age of initial onset, sex, history of transient isc hemic attacks(TIA), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, use of anticoagulants and cigarette smoking were found to be associated with the recurrence of cerebral infa?tion( P ＜ 0. 05). For patients under 45-year of age, the recurrence rate of cerebral infarction was significantly higher than that for patients over 45 years old( P ＜ 0. 005), and a history over 10 years with cigarette smoking contributed to a higher recurrence rate than a history less than 10 years( P ＜ 0. 001) . Patients using anticoagulants(76 cases) were significantly different from those who took no anticoagulant(45 cases) in the recurrence rate( P ＜ 0.01), and anticoagulant use for no less than 2 years also made significant differences from the use less than 2 years( P ＜ 0. 01 ).CONCLUSION: The patient' s age of initial onset, history of TIA, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, anticoagulant use and cigarette smoking are all risk factors for recurrence of cerebral infarction. Patients younger than 45 years old with cigarette smoking for no less than 10 years are at greater risk for the recurrence. Taking anticoagulants may reduce the recurrence rate of cerebral infarction, and longer term use of them than 2 years may produce better effect. Patients with cerebral infarction need to control the risk factors and take anticoagulants for the prevention of the recurrence.