M.B Tsenin
F.V. Takhavieva
E.S. Zinnatullina
T.P. Shagivaleeva |
RESPIRATORY DYSFUNCTION IN STROKE REHABILITATION
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| Kazan Medical State University, Kazan, Russia |
The early post-stroke course may be complicated by pneumonia and respiratory
dysfunction. According to the literature pneumonias cause between 7 to 34% of
all stroke deaths, representing the third largest cause of mortality within
the first month after stroke. Although less common in the chronic stage
of stroke, pneumonias remain a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among
older patients. We aimed to determine key characteristics that would allow prediction
of those patients who are at highest risk for poststroke pneumonia, to study
respiratory dysfunction associated with stroke, and try to develop rehabilitation
program of its prevention. We studied a series of consecutive patients with
acute stroke who were admitted to hospital. Detailed evaluation included the
Scandinavian Stroke Scale; the Abbreviated Mental Test; and measures of swallow,
respiratory, and oral health status. We found, that pneumonia after stroke is
associated with older age, dysarthria/no speech due to aphasia, severity of
poststroke disability, cognitive impairment, and an abnormal water swallow test
result.Also the hemiplegic patients showed a significant respiratory dysfunction
and reduced exercise tolerance. These findings suggest that a program
of ventilatory and aerobic training should be considered early after stroke
to avoid cardiorespiratory problems and deconditioning.
