Introduction: The efficacy of a stroke unit in the management of acute cerebrovascular disease has, in general, been widely demonstrated. Our analysis seeks to determine whether this efficacy is maintained in intracerebral hemorrhage.
Patients and methods: We studied the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage attended in the Neurology Department by the stroke team in 1994 and during the first years of its activity (1995-1996), analysing the average time of stay, complications, functional state and destiny of the patient after discharge.
Results: We recorded 151 patients (58 in 1994, 46 in 1995 and 57 in 1996) who made up 10.1% of the total number of strokes. We observed a significant reduction in average stay (p < 0.01), with improved score on the Rankin scale at the time of discharge (p < 0.005). Similarly there were fewer complications and those statistically significant were: hydrocephaly (p < 0.05), rebleeding (p < 0.05), sepsis (p < 0.1) and renal failure (p < 0.01). Discharge home remained stable although there was a significant increase in transport of patients to rehabilitation centres (p < 0.05) and reduction in patients sent to long-term care institutions.
Conclusions: The specific integrated care given by stroke unit result in improved course of the illness in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, with fewer complications, reduced hospital stay, better functional state and better possibilities of rehabilitation after discharge.