Analysis of the causes and risk factors of cerebral infarction in young adults

Objectives To explore the causes and risk factors of cerebral infarction in young adults. Methods The clinical data of 243 young patients (≤ 45 years old) at the first attack of acute cerebral infarction were analyzed retrospectively. Their diagnoses were established by imaging and other etiological examinations. The subtypes of patients were identified according to the Trial of Org10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria, and their major risk factors were investigated and analyzed. Results The constituent ratios of the TOAST subtypes in this group were cardiogenic cerebral embolism (12.8%, 31/243), large artery atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (22.2%, 54/243), small artery cerebral infarction (16.0%, 39/243), cerebral infarction of other causes(7.0%, 17/243), and cerebral infarction of unknown origin (42.0%, 102/243). The highest exposure ratios of risk factors were hypertension (50.6%, 123/243), alcohol consumption (46.5%, 113/243), smoking (28.4%,69/243) and family history of cerebrovascular diseases (25.5%, 62/243). Univariate analysis of the risk factors between the stroke subgroups showed that primary hypertension (69.2%, χ2=17.18,P0.01) and blood lipid abnormality (48.7%, χ2=46.09, P0.01) increased significantly in the subtypes of small artery cerebral infarction. Conclusions The unknown cause and large artery atherosclerotic cerebral infarction are the most common etiological types in young adults with cerebral infarction. The exposure ratios of risk factors are the highest in hypertension and alcohol consumption. Hypertension and blood lipid abnormality are more significant in patients with small artery cerebral infarction.