Table 4.

Multivariate analysis for predictors of secondary outcome (Tracheostomy) in patients with severe anterior circulation stroke

	Odds ratio	95% Confidence interval	p value
Age (years)	1.04	(0.95, 1.13)	0.42
Infarct volume (ml)	1.01	(1.00, 1.02)	0.24
Admission GCS	0.59	(0.37, 0.94)	0.03*
ACA involvement	0.29	(0.02, 4.01)	0.36

^*significant

While no significant predictors of gastrostomy were identified in univariate analysis, significant predictors of tracheostomy and clinically predicted variables (age, infarct volume, ACA involvement, hyperosmolar therapy, bolus ICP treatment, midline shift) were introduced into various multivariate logistic regression analysis models, fitted using the method of least squares. An analysis of variance was used to compare different models. In a multivariate model, only admission GCS was predictive of tracheostomy (p=0.03).

Abbreviations: NIHSS= National Institutes of Health stroke scale; ICP= Intracranial pressure; ACA= Anterior cerebral artery; GCS= Glasgow coma scale