About the Author(s)


    Kevin Daffue Email
    Department of Clinical Imaging Science, University of the Free State, South Africa

    Citation


    Daffue K. Computed tomography stroke findings and population demographics at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein. S Afr J Rad. 2017;21(1), a1122. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v21i1.1122

    Note: A selection of conference abstracts: RSSA/SASPI Paediatric Imaging Congress, 03–06 November 2016, Spier Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Faculty collaborators: Professor Kassa Darge (Body Imaging, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA), Professor Edward Lee (Thoracic Imaging, Harvard University, USA), Professor Beverley Newman (Cardiac Imaging, Stanford University, California, USA), Professor Kimberly Applegate (Image Gently and Body Imaging, Emory University, Atlanta, USA) and Professor Savvas Andronikou (Thoracic Imaging, University of Bristol, UK) supported by South African Paediatric Radiologists, co-ordinated by Dr Jaishree Naidoo, President of the African Society of Paediatric Imaging and Head of Division of Paediatric Radiology, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

    This conference abstract is partially based on the following publication: Daffue K, Joubert G, et al. Computed tomography stroke findings and population demographics at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein. S Afr J Rad. 2016;20(1), a993. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v20i1.993

    Conference Abstract

    Computed tomography stroke findings and population demographics at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein

    Kevin Daffue

    Copyright: © 2017. The Author(s). Licensee: AOSIS.
    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Background: Stroke remains the highest cause of death in patients more than 50 years old in South Africa and the fourth highest cause of death overall. There is a paucity of information regarding this disease in Free State province.

    Objectives: To assess the stroke profile of patients referred for computed tomography (CT) imaging to our institution along with evaluating factors that could improve stroke management.

    Method: The demographic information, stroke risk factors, stroke types and time to imaging were evaluated for all patients who presented for CT stroke imaging from July 2014 until July 2015. Information was gathered prospectively from the hospital and radiology information systems.

    Results: The study included 174 patients (53.5% women, 46.5% men). Their mean age was 59 years (SD 14.6). The most prevalent risk factors were hypertension (83.7%), smoking (20.5%) and diabetes (15.0%). The population group consisted of 67.8% ischaemic (n = 118) and 32.2% (n = 56) haemorrhagic strokes. The majority of patients with a known time of symptom onset (n = 102) presented after 8 h (82.4%). The median order to report time (ORT) was 61 min (range 18–1361 min). The median arrival to report time (ART) was 32 min (range 4–893 min).

    Conclusion: Our stroke population did not differ significantly from others in South Africa and Africa overall. Pre- and in-hospital delays significantly influenced patient numbers qualifying for thrombolysis.