ABSTRACT
Objectives: This retrospective study seeks to delineate the epidemiological, clinical, and radiological profiles of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for stroke at the Essos Hospital Center, a tertiary care facility in Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the clinical records of all patients diagnosed with stroke and admitted to the ICU between January 2019 and December 2024. Data on demographics (age, sex, risk factors), clinical characteristics (stroke subtype, Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission, clinical manifestations), and radiological findings (stroke type based on neuroimaging, lesion localisation) were systematically collected and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Of the 100 patients included, the mean age was 63 years, with a predominance of male patients (70%). Ischaemic strokes represented 65% of cases, while haemorrhagic strokes accounted for 35%. Hypertension (75%), diabetes mellitus (30%), and smoking (25%) were the predominant risk factors. Neuroimaging, particularly computed tomography (CT), identified cerebral infarctions in 60% of cases and intracerebral haemorrhages in 30%. The overall ICU mortality rate was 40%, with key prognostic factors including advanced age, low Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission, and the specific localisation of cerebral lesions. Conclusions: This study underscores the high prevalence of ischaemic strokes and the significant role of modifiable risk factors in the aetiology of stroke. Strokes remain a leading cause of mortality in the ICU in Cameroon. Early intervention and optimised management of modifiable risk factors hold potential for improving clinical outcomes in this patient population.