From: End-of-life decisions in acute stroke patients: an observational cohort study
Demographics | ||
Mean age, years; (range) | 81.8 | (55–96) |
Gender, n female; (%) | 68 | (58.1) |
Median pre-mRS; (range) | 1.5 | (0–5) |
Diagnosis | ||
Ischemic stroke, n; (%) | 85 | (72.6) |
Intracerebral hemorrhage, n; (%) | 32 | (27.4) |
Stroke severity | ||
NIHSS at admission, median; (range) | 19 | (0–28) |
Comorbidities | ||
Dementia, n; (%) | 18 | (15.4) |
Cancer, n; (%) | 22 | (18.8) |
Renal dialysis, n; (%) | 3 | (2.6) |
Referral to other specialties | ||
Neurosurgeon, n; (%) | 15 | (12.8) |
Otolaryngologist, n; (%) | 6 | (5.1) |
Urologist, n; (%) | 6 | (5.1) |
Oncologist, n; (%) | 4 | (3.4) |
Course | ||
Days to death, median; (range) | 7.0 | (1–30) |
Death expected, n; (%) | 90 | (76.9) |
Death unexpected, n; (%) | 27 | (23.1) |
Therapy aspects | ||
DNRO, n; (%) | 101 | (86.3) |
Unsuccessful CPR, n; (%) | 9 | (7.7) |
Transitioned to palliative care, n; (%) | 40 | (34.2) |
Days to transition, mean; (range) | 5 | (0–29) |
Days from transition to death, mean; (range) | 2.6 | (0–17) |
Advance directive | ||
Living will, n; (%) | 39 | (33.3) |
Power of attorney for health care, n; (%) | 45 | (38.5) |
Legal guardian, n; (%) | 11 | (9.4) |
Cause of death | ||
Complication of stroke, n; (%) | 78 | (66.7) |
Cardiac disorder, n; (%) | 21 | (17.9) |
Severe infection, n; (%) | 13 | (11.1) |
Other/not known, n; (%) | 9 | (7.7) |