Infection in Patients with Acute Stroke

Abstract

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and efforts to reduce the impact of the disease are strongly needed. Patients with acute stroke have an increased risk of in-hospital complications, in particular pneumonia and urinary tract infections. These infections are associated with an adverse patient outcome and increased health care costs. Here we review the existing knowledge on the risk and consequences of post-stroke pneumonia and UTI in adult patients and discuss the evidence of possible targets for intervention.