[Risk factors and short-term prognosis in ischemic and hemorrhagic attacks: review of 503 patients admitted to the Neurologic Clinic of Modena].

Cerebrovascular risk factors, characteristics of the lesion (ischaemia or haemorrhage in the carotid or vertebro-basilar area) and mortality in the acute phase were studied in 503 patients admitted for first stroke. Seventy-five per cent of the patients had an ischaemic lesion and 25% a hemorrhagic one. Most of the ischaemic lesions occurred in patients aged 71-80 years, while haemorrhagic strokes hit subjects aged 61-70 years. Hypertension favors haemorrhage and heart disease and the older age favors ischaemia. Coma at onset negatively influences prognosis; mortality is more frequent among older patients, subjects in coma or with haemorrhagic lesions. Twelve per cent of the patients died in the first three weeks post-onset.