Background and Objectives: Stroke is a potential complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to identify the incidence, risk factors predisposing to stroke and in-hospital outcome during the index admission with AMI among patients in the Middle East. Methods: For a period of 6 months in 2006 and 2007, 5,833 consecutive AMI patients were enrolled from 64 hospitals in 6 Middle East countries. Results: The incidence of in-hospital stroke following AMI was 0.85%. Most cases were ST segment elevation AMI-related and ischemic in nature. Patients with in-hospital stroke were older than patients without stroke and were more likely to be female (36 vs. 18.6%, p = 0.0033). They were also more likely to have diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prior AMI, or percutaneous/surgical coronary revascularization. Patients with stroke were more likely to present with advanced Killip class II–IV, higher mean heart rate and higher serum creatinine. Independent predictors of stroke were age, prior stroke, prior coronary artery bypass surgery, anterior AMI and systolic blood pressure >190 mm Hg on presentation. Early administration of statins was independently associated with reduced stroke risk (odds ratio, OR, 0.4, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.19–0.90, p = 0.025). Stroke was fatal in 44% of the cases and was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 12.5, 95% CI 5.7–27.4, p < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a low incidence of in-hospital stroke in Middle-Eastern patients presenting with AMI but with very high fatality rates. Early statin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in stroke risk. Future work should be focused on reducing the risk and improving the outcome of this devastating complication.

Keywords:
Prognosis, Statin, Acute myocardial infarction, Stroke, Risk factors
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