Prognosis of acute stroke.

We evaluated factors affecting mortality and quality of life in 1,013 patients with acute stroke followed for 2 to 8 years. In cerebral infarction, the major determinants for short-term mortality were impaired consciousness, leg weakness, and increasing age. The major determinants for long-term mortality were low level of activity at hospital discharge, advanced age, male sex, heart disease, and hypertension.