Distinguishing Between Stroke and Mimic at the Bedside

• DOI: 10.1161/01.str.0000204041.13466.4c
• Publication Date: 2006-02-17T01:54:26Z
• Authors: Peter J. Hand; Joseph Kwan; Richard I. Lindley; Martin S. Dennis; Joanna M. Wardlaw
• Keywords: Stroke

The bedside clinical assessment of the patient with suspected stroke has not been well studied. Improving skills may accelerate progress through emergency department. We aimed to determine frequency and nature mimics identify key features that distinguish between mimic at bedside.Consecutive presentations an urban teaching hospital were recruited. A standard was performed. final diagnosis determined by expert panel, which had access features, brain imaging, other tests. Univariate multivariate analyses distinguished from mimic.There 350 336 patients. in 241 (69%) 109 (31%). included 44 events labeled "possible or TIA." Eight items independently predicted patients presenting attack: cognitive impairment abnormal signs systems suggested a mimic, exact time onset, definite focal symptoms, vascular findings, presence neurological signs, being able lateralize left right side brain, subclassification stroke.The can be streamlined substantially. This important implications for less experienced clinicians how assess stroke.