Abstract
Background and Purpose: Stroke recurrence, often developed in convalescent rehabilitation ward, impairs the functionality of patients and results in QOL deterioration. The aim of this study was to clarify the detailed characteristic and treatment strategy of recurrent cases.Methods: We retrospectively investigated 16 cases with stroke recurrence among 1,301 consecutive stroke patients in our convalescent rehabilitation ward between 2008 and 2012.Results: As the primary stroke type of 16 recurrent cases, 12 were brain infarction and 4 were brain hemorrhage. Further classified into clinical subtypes, the recurrence rate was the highest in cardioembolic stroke. Each stroke type at recurrence was 8 in brain infarction, 2 in TIA, and 6 in brain hemorrhage, with 108.8 days for mean time to recurrence. Early recurrence cases, within 30 days from transference, all presented with ischemic symptoms. Among the recurrence cases due to brain hemorrhage, none have taken dual antithrombotic medication.Conclusion: In management of stroke patients in convalescence and maintenance periods, it is critical to reappraise the prevention strategy for recurrence depending on risks and ADL in each patient.
