systemic
Last reviewed 01/2018
The systemic complications of stroke can be separated into:
- endocrine abnormalities:
- hyperglycaemia in 28% of cases. A stress response.
- inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in 10%
- hypertension - can develop in the absence of herniation. Will worsen a pre-existing hypertensive state or initiate hypertension. Present in 84% of cases.
- fever - a direct result of stroke or more usually, a result of other complication, e.g. pulmonary or urinary infection, deep vein thrombosis. Occurs in 44% of cases.
- deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism - occurs in over half of all cases.
- pressure sores - especially in the unconscious patient
- dysphagia
- painful limbs - post-stroke thalamic pain
- frozen shoulder