Large Subcortical Infarcts Clinical Features, Risk Factors, and Long-Term Prognosis Compared With Cortical and Small Deep Infarcts

Background and Purpose— In this study we compared risk factors, clinical features, and stroke recurrence in a large series of patients with large subcortical, cortical, or small deep infarcts. Methods— Patients with a transient or minor ischemic attack (modified Rankin Scale grade of ≤3) who had a single relevant supratentorial infarct of presumed noncardioembolic origin on CT were classified as suffering from a large subcortical (n=120), small deep (n=324), or cortical (n=211) infarct. Mean follow-up was 8 years. Rates of recurrent stroke were compared with Cox regression. Results— The clinical deficits caused by large subcortical infarcts resembled either those of a cortical or those of a small deep infarct. Risk factor profiles were similar in the 3 groups. The rate of recurrent stroke in patients with a large subcortical infarct (25/120; 21%) did not differ from that of patients with a cortical infarct (46/211; 22%) or with a small deep infarct (60/324; 19%). After adjustment for age, sex, and vascula...