Abstract TP226: Ischemic Stroke and Sepsis Mortality Trends and Disparities in the U.S. Population Aged Over 25 Years (1999–2023): Insights from the CDC WONDER Database

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a major complication following sepsis, mediated by endothelial injury and inflammation. Conversely, stroke-induced immunosuppression via sympathetic and HPA axis overactivation increases infection risk, with aspiration pneumonia often progressing to sepsis. Use of invasive devices in stroke care further predisposes to nosocomial infections, amplifying mortality. Analyzing mortality trends over time can highlight these patterns and guide prevention efforts. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed CDC WONDER data (1999–2023) for ischemic stroke (I63) and sepsis (A41) deaths. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were stratified by sex, region, ethnicity, and urban–rural status. Joinpoint regression estimated Annual Percent Change (APC) and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), with p