Abstract Over the last three decades, stroke care has undergone significant transformations mainly driven by the introduction of reperfusion therapy and the organization of systems of care. Patients receiving treatment through a well-structured stroke service have a much higher chance of favorable outcomes, thereby decreasing both disability and mortality. In this article, we reviewed the scientific evidence for stroke reperfusion therapy, including thrombolysis and thrombectomy, and its implementation in the public health system in Brazil.

Resumo Nas últimas três décadas, o tratamento do AVC sofreu transformações significativas, impulsionadas principalmente pela introdução das terapias de reperfusão e pela organização dos serviços de AVC. Os pacientes que recebem tratamento em um serviço de AVC bem estruturado têm uma probabilidade muito maior de resultados favoráveis, diminuindo assim a incapacidade funcional e a mortalidade. Neste artigo, revisamos as evidências científicas para as terapias de reperfusão do AVC, incluindo trombólise e trombectomia e sua implementação no sistema público de saúde no Brasil.

RESUMO Antecedentes Até o momento existe pouca informação disponível na literatura sobre a epidemiologia do acidente vascular verebral (AVC) no nordeste brasileiro. Objetivo Investigar a prevalência dos subtipos de AVC, dos fatores de risco para doenças cerebrovasculares e o manejo do AVC em um serviço público especializado em Alagoas. Método Os dados foram coletados de forma prospectiva e consecutiva de pacientes com diagnóstico de AVC em um ambulatório especializado em neurovascular, de novembro de 2016 a junho de 2018. Recorrência do AVC foi avaliada por telefone 12 meses após a inclusão no estudo. Resultados Foram avaliados 190 pacientes, idade média de 60,22(13,29 anos, 60,5% homens. AVC isquêmico foi o subtipo mais comum (85,2%). Sedentarismo foi o fator de risco mais prevalente (71,6%), seguido de hipertensão (62,6%) e história familial de AVC (41,1%). Somente 21,5% dos pacientes foram transportados por ambulância até o hospital e 42,6% receberam o primeiro atendimento em serviço médico sem suporte de exame de imagem. A mediana do NIHSS foi 2,5 (IQR, 1-3). Encontramos alta prevalência de AVC indeterminado (35,8%) e poucos pacientes completaram a investigação etiológica. Após um ano da inclusão no estudo, 12 pacientes (6,3%) morreram e 14 (7,3%) tiveram outro AVC. Conclusão A prevalência dos fatores de risco para doenças cerebrovasculares e a apresentação clínica foram similares a séries prévias. Um número expressivo de pacientes recebeu atendimento médico em locais sem exames de imagem. Houve alto número de pacientes com AVC indeterminado, o que mostra a dificuldade de acesso ao sistema de saúde em Alagoas.

ABSTRACT Background There is little information available on stroke epidemiology in the northeast of Brazil. Objective Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of the stroke subtypes, prevalence of cerebrovascular risk factors and patterns of management in a public neurovascular outpatient referral service, in Alagoas. Methods Data were prospectively collected from consecutive patients with stroke who were treated in a specialized neurovascular clinic between November 2016 and June 2018. Recurrence was evaluated by telephone 12 months after patients had been included in the study. Results We evaluated 190 patients (mean age, 60.22 ( 13.29 years; 60.5% males). Ischemic stroke was the most frequent subtype (85.2%). Sedentary lifestyle was the most common risk factor (71.6%), followed by hypertension (62.6%) and stroke family history (41.1%). Only 21.5% of the patients were transported by ambulance to the hospital, and 42.6% received medical support in hospital units or emergency units with no imaging support. The median NIHSS was 2.5 (IQR, 1-5) and mRS was 2 (IQR, 1-3). We found a high rate of undetermined stroke (35.8%), and few patients completed the etiological investigation. One year after inclusion in the study, 12 patients (6.3%) had died and 14 (7.3%) had had another stroke. Conclusions The prevalence of cerebrovascular risk factors and clinical presentation were similar to what had been seen in previous series. A notable number of patients received medical support in institutions with no imaging equipment. The high number of cases of undetermined stroke etiology shows the difficulty in accessing healthcare services in Alagoas.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Stroke is the principal cause of disability around the world and the ensuing functional dependence (FD) can be correlated with different factors. OBJECTIVE: To determine how demographic factors and clinical characteristics after stroke distinguish patients who achieve functional independence from those who do not. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational study at specialized neurovascular clinic in Alagoas, Brazil. METHODS: FD was classified according to the modified Rankin scale (mRs): 0 to 2 points were classified as independent (FD-), and 3 to 5 points were classified as dependent (FD+). Logistic regression analysis included age, sedentary lifestyle, the Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D) and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The Mann-Whitney test and χ2 test were used to compare groups. RESULTS: We included 190 stroke patients with a mean age of 60.02 ± 14.22 years. We found that 34.8% of the patients were classified as FD+. Lower NIHSS and CES-D scores were more associated with achieving functional independence. Most of the patients had access to physical therapy, and the mean duration of rehabilitation therapy was 65.2 minutes per week. Females had higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (P = 0.005) and rehabilitation time was shorter for hemorrhagic stroke (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: We found a FD rate four times greater than in another Brazilian study. Lower stroke severity and fewer depressive symptoms were associated with achieving functional independence. Less than half of the patients were referred to a rehabilitation service at hospital discharge and few had access to multidisciplinary treatment.