Complications of acute ischaemic stroke

Neurological, cardiac, and systemic complications during the first days to weeks after ischaemic stroke can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. The reported 30-day case fatality rate for cerebral infarction varies between 10 and 17%. The incidence and effects of the various complications vary with time after stroke: transtentorial herniation and other cerebral complications prevail during the 1st week, whereas medical complications are more prominent in the weeks thereafter. Many complications are treatable, and some are preventable. The goal of this report is to provide information on their incidence, consequences, and management.