Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80
Abstract Background The implementation of acute stroke care programs with dedicated multidisciplinary stroke teams has revolutionized access to care and improved survival among older adults. However, the integration of specialized palliative support within acute stroke services remains uncommon in m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Palliative Care |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01773-8 |
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| author | Greta Sahakyan Mira Orduyan Ani Adamyan Karen Koshtoyan Gurgen Hovhannisyan Aleksandra Karapetyan Hovhannes Manvelyan |
| author_facet | Greta Sahakyan Mira Orduyan Ani Adamyan Karen Koshtoyan Gurgen Hovhannisyan Aleksandra Karapetyan Hovhannes Manvelyan |
| author_sort | Greta Sahakyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The implementation of acute stroke care programs with dedicated multidisciplinary stroke teams has revolutionized access to care and improved survival among older adults. However, the integration of specialized palliative support within acute stroke services remains uncommon in many developing countries. This study highlights the emerging challenges faced by patients with ischemic stroke aged ≥ 80 years treated with reperfusion therapies, identifies early palliative care needs, and underscores the importance of comprehensive support in the acute setting. Methods We selected consecutive patients with ischemic stroke aged ≥ 80 years who received reperfusion therapies (intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy) at the time of stroke unit admission. Clinical and demographic data were prospectively collected and analyzed. Results A total of 52 patients aged ≥ 80 years received reperfusion therapies. The in-hospital mortality rate was 5/52 (9.6%). Key challenges identified during hospitalization included dysphagia in 32 patients (61.5%), dyspnea in 7 patients (13.5%), delirium in 14 patients (26.9%), and mobility impairment and/or speech disturbance in 22 patients (42.3%). Conclusion Despite the increasing use of reperfusion therapies in patients aged ≥ 80 years, symptoms requiring comprehensive support and early palliative interventions persist in the acute stroke setting. Our findings emphasize the need for early palliative assessments to address stroke-related symptoms such as dysphagia, delirium, and mobility or speech disturbances, ultimately enhancing patient comfort. Future research is necessary to better understand stroke-specific symptom burden in the aging population and to develop strategies for integrating palliative care into acute stroke management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e9d9a463a80344aab4c7233f38d8b179 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-684X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Palliative Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-e9d9a463a80344aab4c7233f38d8b1792025-08-20T02:15:11ZengBMCBMC Palliative Care1472-684X2025-05-012411510.1186/s12904-025-01773-8Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80Greta Sahakyan0Mira Orduyan1Ani Adamyan2Karen Koshtoyan3Gurgen Hovhannisyan4Aleksandra Karapetyan5Hovhannes Manvelyan6Department of Neurology, Yerevan State Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurology, Astghik Medical CenterDepartment of Neurology, Astghik Medical CenterDepartment of Neurology, Yerevan State Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurology, Yerevan State Medical UniversityDepartment of Family Medicine, Yerevan State Medical UniversityDepartment of Neurology, Yerevan State Medical UniversityAbstract Background The implementation of acute stroke care programs with dedicated multidisciplinary stroke teams has revolutionized access to care and improved survival among older adults. However, the integration of specialized palliative support within acute stroke services remains uncommon in many developing countries. This study highlights the emerging challenges faced by patients with ischemic stroke aged ≥ 80 years treated with reperfusion therapies, identifies early palliative care needs, and underscores the importance of comprehensive support in the acute setting. Methods We selected consecutive patients with ischemic stroke aged ≥ 80 years who received reperfusion therapies (intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy) at the time of stroke unit admission. Clinical and demographic data were prospectively collected and analyzed. Results A total of 52 patients aged ≥ 80 years received reperfusion therapies. The in-hospital mortality rate was 5/52 (9.6%). Key challenges identified during hospitalization included dysphagia in 32 patients (61.5%), dyspnea in 7 patients (13.5%), delirium in 14 patients (26.9%), and mobility impairment and/or speech disturbance in 22 patients (42.3%). Conclusion Despite the increasing use of reperfusion therapies in patients aged ≥ 80 years, symptoms requiring comprehensive support and early palliative interventions persist in the acute stroke setting. Our findings emphasize the need for early palliative assessments to address stroke-related symptoms such as dysphagia, delirium, and mobility or speech disturbances, ultimately enhancing patient comfort. Future research is necessary to better understand stroke-specific symptom burden in the aging population and to develop strategies for integrating palliative care into acute stroke management.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01773-8GeriatricsPalliative needsIschemic strokeReperfusion therapies |
| spellingShingle | Greta Sahakyan Mira Orduyan Ani Adamyan Karen Koshtoyan Gurgen Hovhannisyan Aleksandra Karapetyan Hovhannes Manvelyan Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 BMC Palliative Care Geriatrics Palliative needs Ischemic stroke Reperfusion therapies |
| title | Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 |
| title_full | Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 |
| title_fullStr | Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 |
| title_short | Unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 |
| title_sort | unaddressed palliative care needs of ischemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapies after age 80 |
| topic | Geriatrics Palliative needs Ischemic stroke Reperfusion therapies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01773-8 |
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