Patient Characteristics and Outcomes After Hemorrhagic Stroke in Pregnancy

Authors:
  • CCCaitlin R. Clancy
    Caitlin R. Clancy
  • BBBrian T. Bateman
    Brian T. Bateman
  • MCMargueritte Cox
    Margueritte Cox
  • PSPhillip J. Schulte
    Phillip J. Schulte
  • ESEric E. Smith
    Eric E. Smith
  • LSLee H. Schwamm
    Lee H. Schwamm
  • EKElena V. Kuklina
    Elena V. Kuklina
  • MGMary G. George
    Mary G. George
  • MEMiller E
    Miller E
  • GMGallo M
    Gallo M
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background— Hospitalizations for pregnancy-related stroke are rare but increasing. Hemorrhagic stroke (HS), ie, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage, is more common than ischemic stroke in pregnant versus nonpregnant women, reflecting different phenotypes or risk factors. We compared stroke risk factors and outcomes in pregnant versus nonpregnant HS in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Registry. Methods and Results— Using medical history or International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision codes, we identified 330 pregnant and 10 562 nonpregnant female patients aged 18 to 44 years with HS in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke (2008–2014). Differences in patient and care characteristics were compared by χ2 or Fisher exact test (categorical variables) or Wilcoxon rank-sum (continuous variables) tests. Conditional logistic regression assessed the association of pregnancy with outcomes conditional on categorical age and further adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics. Pregnant versus nonpregnant HS patients were younger with fewer pre-existing stroke risk factors and medications. Pregnant versus nonpregnant subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were less impaired at arrival, and less than half met blood pressure criteria for severe preeclampsia. In-hospital mortality was lower in pregnant versus nonpregnant HS patients: adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for subarachnoid hemorrhage 0.17 (0.06–0.45) and intracerebral hemorrhage 0.57 (0.34–0.94). Pregnant subarachnoid hemorrhage patients also had a higher likelihood of home discharge (2.60 [1.67–4.06]) and independent ambulation at discharge (2.40 [1.56–3.70]). Conclusions— Pregnant HS patients are younger and have fewer risk factors than their nonpregnant counterparts, and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality is lower. Our findings suggest possible differences in underlying disease pathophysiology and challenges to identifying at-risk patients.

This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit: