RETROSPECTIVE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AMONG KNOWN PATIENTS OF ISCHAEMIC STROKE

Objective: Whether or not patients of ischaemic stroke should undergo investigations for coronary artery disease (asymptomatic) is debatable yet scarcely ever have the risk of vascular death and myocardial infarction after a stroke been quantitatively evaluated. Immediately preceding the incidence of an acute stroke, a high risk of recurrence is seen yet the prime factor driving up mortality rates after a stroke is myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. This paper hopes to indirectly assess the risk of schaemic heart disease in patients who have formerly faced episode(s) of acute ischaemic stroke. Methodology: A sample of consecutive 100 known cases of Myocardial Infarction presenting at Liaquat University Hospital, Department of Cardiology (Emergency and Out-Patient Department) was included in this retrospective quantitative analysis during the month of January 2016. After taking written informed consent, inquiries were made regarding previous incidences of ischaemic stroke (if any) and the time elapsed since the incident. Inquiries were also made regarding previous history of cardiac illness. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 17. Results: 60% of the sample comprised of males while 40% comprised of females, each with a mean age of 59 years and 65 years respectively. 20 out of a total of 100 patients presenting with Myocardial Infarction gave affirmative previous history of ischaemic stroke. 80% of the patients with a positive history of ischaemic stroke were males while the remaining 20% with a positive history were females. Conclusion : A careful evaluation of the results reveals that incidence of myocardial infarction among known patients of ischaemic stroke is worrisomely high. More worryingly the incidence is particularly higher in males as compared to females. Keywords: Ischaemic Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, Retrospective & Quantitative Analysis