Long-term outcome and prognostic factors of posterior circulation ischemia patients: Results from a single center retrospective study.

Objective This study was to assess the clinical features and prognostic factors of posterior circulation cerebral infarction (PCCI) patients. Methods A total of 165 PCCI patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurology, Beijing Friendship hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2016 and December 2016 were included. Patients had complete medical record and received 12-month follow-up. The demographics, risk factors, clinical manifestations, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and imaging findings were collected and factors affecting their prognosis were further analyzed. Results The mean age was 59.5 +/- 10.8 years and the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission was 6.6 +/- 2.8. The one-year recurrence rate of stroke was 6.7%; 84.8% of patients had good prognosis (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-3) and 15.2% had poor prognosis (mRS score >3). The one-year mortality was 3.0%. Patients with >= 50% stenosis in the basilar artery and higher NIHSS score were more likely to have poor outcome. Conclusion The majority of PCCI patients have a good prognosis and a low mortality. The prognosis is poor in patients with >= 50% stenosis in the basilar artery and higher NIHSS score on admission.