Long-term prognosis of ischemic stroke in young adults.

Prognostic information is provided for 74 young adults (age 16-40 yrs, mean age at stroke 29.5 yrs), who suffered from ischemic stroke and survived the first month after the stroke. The patients were followed for 13-26 yrs; in total for 1190 yrs after their stroke. At follow-up 12 of the patients were dead, mostly from severe underlying disease that was complicated by ischemic stroke. In 3 cases death was unrelated to cerebrovascular disease. Among the surviving 62 patients, 7 had experienced recurrent ischemic events (3 reinfarctions, 4 TIA:s). These 7 patients all had risk factors for cerebrovascular complications already at the time of their primary stroke. It is concluded that the long-term prognosis for ischemic stroke in the young adult is favourable. The recovery from neurological deficits is usually good (exceptions are occlusions within the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries), the risk for recurrence is low (1.1-1.2% annually), and the social prognosis with respect to working capacity and family relation is fair.