INTRODUCTIONIntravenous thrombolysis has been shown to improve outcome after acute cerebral infarction if given within 3 hours of symptom onset. There are no data in Singapore on the timing of hospital presentation after acute cerebral infarction as well as factors and reasons for delayed presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAs intravenous thrombolysis has recently been licensed for use in acute cerebral infarction in Singapore, we studied 100 consecutive acute cerebral infarction admitted to the Singapore General Hospital for timing of hospital presentation, reasons associated with delay in presentation and hypothetical acceptance of intravenous thrombolysis.

RESULTSOnly 9% of patients presented to hospital within 2 hours of symptom onset. Factors associated with hospital presentation within 2 hours were a large stroke and lack of pre-hospital consultation. Failure to recognise the severity of symptoms and inability to seek medical attention unaided were the 2 most common reasons for delayed presentation. One-third of patients or their relatives hypothetically would accept intravenous thrombolysis, suggesting that a thrombolysis service is feasible at the Singapore General Hospital. However, it would be hindered by the low proportion of patients who present early to hospital after symptom onset.

CONCLUSIONOur results support the need for a public education programme to highlight the identification of stroke symptoms and the need to present to hospital as soon as possible after the onset of stroke symptoms.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome