Quality of life after ischaemic stroke—accent on patients with thrombolytic therapy

Abstract

Abstract Background Intravenous thrombolysis is a widely approved treatment method for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nevertheless, there is a growing interest in its impact on functional outcomes and Health-related Quality of life (HR-QoL). We aimed to evaluate and compare the HR-QoL in patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and in those without thrombolytic therapy during the first 3-month post-stroke in a defined Bulgarian population. Results Patients treated with IVT have simillar functional outcomes and HR-QoL on the third month as the group with conservative treatment, besides their higher NIHSS on admission. Patients with IVT had better self-assessed recovery after the AIS. The higher NIHSS and mRS scores and the lower HR-QoL on discharge are reliable predictors for a poor functional outcome on the third month. A door-to-needle of 60 min or less, and the absence of pathological neuroimaging findings 24-h post IVT predict more beneficial HR-QoL outcome. Conclusion There were no significant differences in HR-QoL and functional outcomes between the groups. Nevertheless, IVT is a treatment option with great importance for improving the clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke, which should be performed in well selected patients.