TOAST Classification of Subtypes of Ischaemic Stroke: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures in Stroke

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to classify ischaemic strokes according to TOAST in patients treated in the internal disease and neurological wards of a hospital in Lower Silesia, evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and compare their treatment effectiveness according to the Rankin scale. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-nine patients below 80 and 77 patients over 80 years of age suffering from ischaemic stroke were covered by the retrospective study. RESULTS: Patients with large-artery atherosclerosis according to the TOAST classification and over 80 years old (p = 0.001) were more frequently hospitalised in the internal disease ward (p = 0.005). Strokes caused by small-vessel occlusion were more frequent in the neurological ward (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest the general use of the TOAST classification and an active information campaign among doctors of various specialisations about standard procedures in stroke according to AHA and EUSI guidelines.