Revascularização clínica e intervencionista no acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo: opinião nacional

Epidemiological analysis of stroke patients with emphasis on access to acute-phase therapies

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a public health problem. For patients with ischemic stroke, venous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy are effective therapeutic options. However, even after the National Stroke Treatment Guidelines were published in 2012, the number of cases treated is still lower than expected.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the determining factors for obtaining access to acute-phase therapies in the state of Espírito Santo (ES) and investigate the profile of stroke patients treated at the Central State Hospital (HEC).

METHODS

Retrospective data from the medical records of 1078 patients from May 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 1,078 patients, 54.9% were men and the most prevalent age group was 60 to 79 years. Systemic arterial hypertension was the main single risk factor. Regarding treatment modality among the patients who arrived at the HEC within the therapeutic window, 47% received some type of acute-phase therapy. Waking up with the deficit was the main contraindication for venous thrombolysis in these cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Application of the flowchart established by SESA-ES seemed to be effective for enabling responsiveness of care for stroke victims. Public emergency transport services had a fundamental role in this process. In addition, the care provided by the tertiary stroke center provided excellent access to acute-phase therapies. However, despite the efficiency of the service provided at the HEC, it only reached a maximum of 50% of the ES population. This service model therefore needs to be expanded throughout the state.

Uso de alteplase no tratamento do acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico agudo: o que sabem os enfermeiros?

O estudo objetivou analisar o conhecimento de enfermeiros acerca do uso de alteplase no tratamento do acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) isquêmico agudo. Estudo descritivo-exploratório realizado em uma unidade de AVE de um hospital público localizado na cidade de Fortaleza-CE, durante o mês de outubro de 2010. Participaram do estudo dez enfermeiros, com idade média de 25 anos. Os benefícios da medicação foram apresentados em justaposição com as limitações do uso. Estratégias para ampliar a utilização de alteplase foram apontadas pelos enfermeiros. O conhecimento da realidade investigada contribui na construção do saber de enfermagem e pode auxiliar o enfermeiro que presta assistência direta ao paciente que se submete a este tratamento.

Stroke epidemiology, prevention, and management strategies at a regional level: Latin America and the Caribbean

Stroke is a major health problem in Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this paper, we review the epidemiology, aetiology, and management of stroke in the region based on a systematic search of articles published in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. Stroke mortality is higher than in developed countries but rates are declining. Population-based studies show variations in incidence of strokes: lower rates of ischaemic stroke and similar rates of intracranial haemorrhages, compared with other regions. A significant proportion of strokes in these populations can be attributed to a few preventable risk factors. Some countries have published national clinical guidelines, although much needs to be done in the organisation of care and rehabilitation. Even though the burden of stroke is high, there is a paucity of information for implementing evidence-based management. The Global Stroke Initiative, the WHO STEPS Stroke surveillance, and WHO-PREMISE projects provide opportunities for surveillance at institutional and community levels.