Resumen

MELLADO T, Patricio et al. Cerebrovascular disease in a Neurologic Intermediate Care Unit in Chile: Analysis of 459 consecutive patients. Rev. méd. Chile [online]. 2005, vol.133, n.11, pp. 1274-1284. ISSN 0034-9887.  doi: 10.4067/S0034-98872005001100002.

Stroke is the second cause of mortality and the first cause of morbidity in Chile and worldwide. Nowadays there is a major interest in introducing new therapies applying evidence based medicine for these patients. Aim: To describe the clinical profile of patients attended after a stroke, to determine stroke subtypes and their risk factors. Material and methods: Retrospective review of clinical records of 459 patients (mean age 65±48 years, 238 female) that were admitted to our unit during a period of 37 months. Results: Sixty three percent of patients had an ischemic stroke, 14% had an hemorrhagic stroke, 15% had a transient ischemic attack, 2% had a cerebral venous thrombosis and 6% a subarachnoidal hemorrhage. The global mortality was 1%. Seventy percent of patients had a history of high blood pressure. Conclusions: The most common type of stroke is ischemic and high blood pressure is the main risk factor

Palabras clave : Cerebrovascular accident; Intensive care units; Intracranial embolism and thrombosis; Intracranial hemorrhages.