To investigate the effect of nutritional intervention by national-level cardio-cerebral health specialists on clinical outcomes in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke.

In a quasi-experimental design, 76 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Zhaoqing First People's Hospital from January 2023 to April 2024 were enrolled. Based on admission wards, participants were allocated to either an observation group (n=38, Ward 12-1) or a control group (n=38, Ward 13-2). The control group received standard nutritional care, while the observation group underwent a structured nutritional intervention program delivered through multidisciplinary collaboration under the guidance of cardio-cerebral health specialists. After a 3-month of intervention, the changes in nutritional risk screening NRS2002 scores, modified Rankin scale (mRs) scores, and adverse event incidence were compared between the two groups. The differences in NRS2002 scores and mRs scores at baseline, discharge, and 3-month follow-up were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-tests; while adverse event rates were compared using chi-square tests.

Significant main effects of group, time, and group-by-time interaction were observed in NRS2002 and mRS scores (all P<0.001). At 3-month follow-up, the observation group demonstrated superior outcomes, including lower NRS2002 scores (1.87±0.78 vs 3.37±0.54; t=9.764, P<0.001), reduced mRS scores (1.05±1.37 vs 3.08±1.30; t=6.597, P<0.001), a decreased incidence of adverse events such as pulmonary infection (10.52% vs 50.00%; χ²=14.028, P<0.001), abdominal distension (0% vs 13.15%; χ²=5.352, P=0.021), and aspiration (2.63% vs 15.78%; χ²=3.934, P=0.047).

The multidisciplinary nutritional intervention program led by cardio-cerebral health specialists significantly improves nutritional status, reduces adverse events, and enhances neurological recovery in elderly acute ischemic stroke patients.