A STUDY OF SERUM ELECTROLYTES IN PATIENTS OF ISCHEMIC AND HAEMORRHAGIC STROKE

Introduction- Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. Disorders of sodium and potassium concentration are the commonest electrolyte abnormalities found in cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and may contribute to mortality unless corrected urgently. Material Methods- This cross-sectional study was conducted after taking an informed consent from patients or their relatives on 100 patients of acute stroke who were admitted in Department of Medicine, J.L.N. Medical College and Associated Hospitals, Ajmer (Raj.) over a period of two years after obtaining ethical committee approval. Results/Observations- Total 37% of all stroke patients had serum sodium imbalance & 33% had serum potassium imbalance. Hyponatremia (43% cases) and hypokalemia (41% cases) were more common in hemorrhagic stroke patients as compared to ischemic stroke cases (18% cases). Deaths were more in patients with Hyponatremia (50% deaths) and hypokalemia (62% deaths) in ischemic stroke cases as compared to hemorrhagic stroke cases (25% and 30% deaths respectively). Deaths were signicantly higher in patients with hypocalcemia (55% deaths) in hemorrhagic stroke cases while no such association was observed in Ischemic stroke cases (30% deaths). There was no signicant association of serum Cl-, Mg+2 and Plevels with outcome of stroke patients. Conclusion-This study reveals that in hemorrhagic stroke, the incidence of electrolyte imbalance was more than ischemic and which were mostly hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Deaths were more in patients with hyponatremia and hypokalemia in ischemic stroke cases. Deaths were signicantly higher in patients with hypocalcemia in hemorrhagic stroke cases.