Portugal: almost 13 thousand patients hospitalized in stroke units in 2020, 140 less than in the previous year
13 thousand patients in general hospitalized2019, informed the Cereal Directorate (AVC).
According to the national units, in relation to the National Stroke that is being marked today in 2020 from the Day of Units 2.9, to the national units, a number close to and registered in the previous year 12.9 were registered to the patient. .
Of those patients, most were hospitalized for ischemic stroke (9,243), of which 2,112 were treated with thrombolytics and 2,203 were selected for endovascular thrombectomy, a catheter treatment that allows the artery to unblock blood access to the brain .
According to the first agreement with the balance of the covid19 pandemic, during the first year of the covid1 pandemic, 38 units will continue to be able to ensure thrombolytic treatment, with 303 beds available, and 10 units protected for thrombectomy treatment. evascular.
On the other hand, there was an increase in 2020 on an increased side, an increase in revascularization treatments 24 hours increased in revascularization treatments 24, which can be administered to the maximum of symptoms, and a slight increase after treatments (intravenous thrombolytics, which can only be given in the first 4 to 5 hours of symptoms.
“These data will reflect, on the one hand, the availability of the most differentiated hospital centers that did not maintain endovascular treatment for severe cases of stroke”, highlights the DGS in a statement.
On the other hand, the health authority points out that it can be a sign of “patient resistance and also a national sign in cases of hospital diseases” in a pandemic period or an increased difficulty of hospital structures.
On Wednesday, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) took stock of the number of patients with stroke symptoms for hospitals through the Via Verde AVC system.
In 2021, 877 more cases were registered compared to 2020 and until March 28 of this disease, 1,295 suspected cases of this disease were referred to hospitals.
Stroke is the main cause of death and permanent disability in Portugal. High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation and atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries can increase the risk of having a stroke.