Risk Factors Contributing to the Development of Pulmonary Complications in Patients with Acute Cerebral Vascular Accidents

Abstract

Pulmonary complications (PC) are common sequelae to acute cerebral vascular accidents (CVA). One hundred and twenty patients with acute CVA were examined to determine the factors which contribute to the development of PC. Data concerning the type of PC were obtained from the patients' medical records. Thirty other items including nutritional status and physical activity level were analyzed to establish the relationship between these factors and PC. Twenty eight patients (23.3%) had at least one PC during hospitalization. Factors associated with PC were patient's age, history of pulmonary disease, consciousness level (as classified by the Japan Coma Scale), level of physical activity, serum albumin level, severity of motor paresis on upper extremities (as classified by Brunnstrom-stages of recovery), duration of bedrest, presence of dysphagia and eating ability, and presence of methicillin resistant staphloccus aureus infection. Factors associated with the greatest risk for the development of PC in patients with acute CVA included serum albumin level, duration of bedrest and patients' age.