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Table 1 Baseline characteristics and demographic information of patients (n = 117)

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)

  1. Abbreviations: pre-mRS premorbid modified Rankin Scale, NIHSS National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, DNRO do-not-resuscitate order, CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation