Traumatic Brain Injury as a Risk Factor for Stroke

TBI is a potential unrecognized stroke risk factor as trauma to the head and neck may increase stroke risk through vascular dissection, (5) microvascular injury, or abnormal coagulation. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether traumatic brain injury may be a risk factor for subsequent ischemic stroke. This study used data of patients presented in Emergency Department in University Hospital Trauma of Tirana from 2012 to 1 December 2015. A total number of 1524 patients were presented in ED. The study cohort included 1524 total trauma subjects, 611 (40.1 %) with TBI. The median duration of follow-up was 28 months (interquartile range 1444), with a total of 18 (1.2 %) ischemic strokes identified during this timeframe 1.8 % in the TBI group and 1.3 % in the non-TBI trauma group. By having regular medical checkups and knowing the risk, one can focus on what can change and lower the risk of stroke.