[Improving the outcomes in spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: the EHSA project]. / Mejora de los resultados en la hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea: proyecto EHSA.

AIM: To investigate our clinical practices with the aim of identifying opportunities to improve the medico-surgical management of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH). PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted of the cases of SAH attended consecutively in the critical care and emergency services in 29 public hospitals in Andalusia over a period of 20 months, between the years 2000 and 2002. SAH were considered to be acute haemorrhagic cerebrovascular accidents diagnosed as such by imaging. Results at 12 months and care management (medical and surgical therapy, diagnostic techniques, care times and specific neurological complications) were analysed and the latter was then compared with the clinical practices that scientific evidence has proved to be the most useful. Deaths due to rebleeding in patients with no arteriographic study or without exclusion of the aneurysm were catalogued as potentially avoidable deaths. RESULTS: A total of 506 SAH were included. During the follow-up 5% of the sample were lost. In all 155 patients died. The non-modifiable independent risk variables for mortality were: age, being male, history of arterial hypertension, coma on arrival at the hospital and hydrocephalus. The independent risk variables for death that can be influenced were: absence of urgent analgesic, no arteriographic diagnosis, appearance of ischaemic neurological impairment and rebleeding. Twenty per cent of the overall mortality could be considered potentially avoidable. CONCLUSIONS: Although fatality is mostly dependent on variables that cannot be influenced (sex, age, history, clinical severity and hydrocephalus), 20% of deaths are associated to modifiable factors.

Mejora de los resultados en la hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea: proyecto EHSA / Improving the outcomes in spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: The Ehsa project

Objetivo. Investigar nuestras prácticas clínicas, a fin de identificar oportunidades de mejora en el manejo medicoquirúrgicode las hemorragias subaracnoideas (HSA) espontáneas. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio de cohortes, longitudinal,prospectivo, de las HSA atendidas consecutivamente en los servicios de cuidados críticos y urgencias de 29 hospitales públicosde Andalucía durante 20 meses, de 2000 a 2002. Se consideraron HSA los accidentes cerebrovasculares hemorrágicosagudos con este diagnóstico tomográfico. Se analizaron los resultados a 12 meses y el manejo asistencial (terapéutica médicay quirúrgica, técnicas diagnósticas, tiempos asistenciales y complicaciones neurológicas específicas), comparándolo conlas prácticas clínicas que la evidencia científica ha demostrado de mayor utilidad. Se catalogaron como muertes potencialmenteevitables los óbitos por resangrado en pacientes sin estudio arteriográfico o sin exclusión del aneurisma. Resultados.Se incluyeron 506 HSA. Se perdió durante el seguimiento el 5% de la muestra. Fallecieron 155 enfermos. Las variables no modificablesde riesgo independiente para la mortalidad fueron: edad, género masculino, antecedente de hipertensión arterial,coma a la recepción hospitalaria e hidrocefalia. Las variables influenciables de riesgo independiente para fallecer resultaronser: ausencia de analgesia urgente, carencia de diagnóstico arteriográfico, aparición de deterioro neurológico isquémico yresangrado. El 20% de la mortalidad global podría considerarse potencialmente evitable. Conclusiones. Aunque la letalidades mayoritariamente dependiente de variables médicamente no influenciables (sexo, edad, antecedentes, gravedad clínica ehidrocefalia), los decesos, en un 20%, están asociados a factores modificables (AU)

Aim. To investigate our clinical practices with the aim of identifying opportunities to improve the medico-surgicalmanagement of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH). Patients and methods. A prospective, longitudinal cohortstudy was conducted of the cases of SAH attended consecutively in the critical care and emergency services in 29 publichospitals in Andalusia over a period of 20 months, between the years 2000 and 2002. SAH were considered to be acutehaemorrhagic cerebrovascular accidents diagnosed as such by imaging. Results at 12 months and care management (medicaland surgical therapy, diagnostic techniques, care times and specific neurological complications) were analysed and the latterwas then compared with the clinical practices that scientific evidence has proved to be the most useful. Deaths due torebleeding in patients with no arteriographic study or without exclusion of the aneurysm were catalogued as potentiallyavoidable deaths. Results. A total of 506 SAH were included. During the follow-up 5% of the sample were lost. In all 155patients died. The non-modifiable independent risk variables for mortality were: age, being male, history of arterial hypertension,coma on arrival at the hospital and hydrocephalus. The independent risk variables for death that can be influenced were: absence of urgent analgesic, no arteriographic diagnosis, appearance of ischaemic neurological impairment and rebleeding. Twenty per cent of the overall mortality could be considered potentially avoidable. Conclusions. Although fatality is mostly dependent on variables that cannot be influenced (sex, age, history, clinical severity and hydrocephalus), 20% of deaths are associated to modifiable factors (AU)

Manejo inicial del ictus isquémico agudo / No disponible

No disponible

The societal costs of intracerebral hemorrhage in Spain.

This study estimates the lifetime societal costs associated with incident intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in Spain. An epidemiological model of ICH incidence, survival and morbidity was developed using retrospective data from 28 hospitals in Andalusia and published data identified in a systematic literature review. Data on resource utilization and costs were obtained from five hospitals in the Canary Islands, whereas cost of outpatient care, informal care and lost productivity were obtained from standardized questionnaires completed by survivors of ICH. The lifetime societal costs of incident ICH in Spain is estimated at 46,193 euros per patient. Direct medical costs accounted for 32.7% of lifetime costs, whilst 67.3% were related to indirect costs. One-third of direct medical costs over the first year were attributable to follow-up care, including rehabilitation. Indirect costs were dominated by costs of informal care (71.2%). The aggregated lifetime societal costs for the estimated 12,534 Spanish patients with a first-ever ICH in 2004 was 579 million euros. ICH implies substantial costs to society primarily due to formal and informal follow-up care and support needed after hospital discharge. Interventions that offer survival benefits without improving patients' functional status are likely to further increase the societal costs of ICH.

[Thrombolysis in stroke: inappropriate consideration of the 'window period' as the time available]. / Trombólisis en el ictus: consideración inapropiada del 'período de ventana' como tiempo disponible.

AIMS: The earlier r-TPA is administered in ischaemic strokes, the more effective it is. The aim of this study is to analyse the delay times in health care afforded in a consecutive series of cases that had received treatment, with a view to shortening them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed the medical records of the first patients to be treated in our centre. The paper describes several variables involving demographic and clinical factors, as well as the delay in entering the Emergency department, performing a CAT scan and especially the time elapsed between the CAT scan and starting treatment. We have examined the existence of an inappropriate correlation between delays that should be independent of one another. RESULTS: The mean age of the 17 patients treated was 68 years and they had a stroke severity score of 17 points on the NIHSS. The mean time of delay until arrival, arrival-CAT, and CAT-treatment were slightly under 1 hour each, and onset-treatment delay was 165 minutes, which is very close to the limit of the therapeutic window period. We found a strong inverse linear association between the time elapsed between onset and the CAT scan, and from the latter to the beginning of treatment (Spearman's r: -0.664, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that in our hospital, as in other centres in the initial phases of implementation, the therapeutic time window for intravenous thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke tends to run out. It must be highlighted that the resolve of the physician who indicates the treatment exerts a decisive effect on the delay.

Trombólisis en el ictus: consideración inapropiada del ‘período de ventana’ como tiempo disponible / Thrombolysis in stroke: inappropriate consideration of the ‘window period’as the time available

Objetivos. El r-TPA en el ictus isquémico es más eficaz cuanto antes se administra. Hemos analizado los tiempos de demora asistencial en una serie consecutiva de casos tratados con el fin de acortarlos. Pacientes y métodos. Se ha analizado el registro de los primeros pacientes tratados en nuestro centro, se han descrito las variables demográficas, clínicas y de demoras en llegada a puerta de Urgencias, realización de la TC y, especialmente, el tiempo desde la TC hasta el inicio del tratamiento. Se ha explorado la existencia de alguna correlación inapropiada entre aquellas demoras que debieran ser independientes entre sí. Resultados. Los 17 pacientes tratados tenían una mediana de edad de 68 años y de gravedad en la NIHSS de 17 puntos. Las medianas de las demoras hasta la llegada, entre la llegada y la TC, y entre la TC y el tratamiento, fueron ligeramente inferiores a una hora cada una, y la del debut hasta el tratamiento fue de 165 minutos, muy próxima al límite del período de ventana terapéutica. Se ha encontrado una fuerte asociación lineal inversa entre la demora desde el debut hasta la TC y desde ésta hasta el inicio del tratamiento (r de Spearman: 0,664, p = 0,004). Conclusiones. Los resultados apuntan a que en nuestro hospital, como en otros centros, en la fase inicial de implantación, el tiempo de ventana terapéutica para la trombólisis intravenosa en el ictus isquémico tiende a agotarse. Ponemos de manifiesto que, entre otros factores, la resolución del facultativo que indica el tratamiento influye decisivamente en la demora

Aims. The earlier r-TPA is administered in ischaemic strokes, the more effective it is. The aim of this study is to analyse the delay times in health care afforded in a consecutive series of cases that had received treatment, with a view to shortening them. Patients and methods. We analysed the medical records of the first patients to be treated in our centre. The paper describes several variables involving demographic and clinical factors, as well as the delay in entering the Emergency department, performing a CAT scan and especially the time elapsed between the CAT scan and starting treatment. We have examined the existence of an inappropriate correlation between delays that should be independent of one another. Results. The mean age of the 17 patients treated was 68 years and they had a stroke severity score of 17 points on the NIHSS. The mean time of delay until arrival, arrival-CAT, and CAT-treatment were slightly under 1 hour each, and onset-treatment delay was 165 minutes, which is very close to the limit of the therapeutic window period. We found a strong inverse linear association between the time elapsed between onset and the CAT scan, and from the latter to the beginning of treatment (Spearman’s r -0.664, p = 0.004). Conclusions. Findings indicate that in our hospital, as in other centres in the initial phases of implementation, the therapeutic time window for intravenous thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke tends to run out. It must be highlighted that the resolve of the physician who indicates the treatment exerts a decisive effect on the delay

Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los traumatismos severos en Andalucía. Estudio multicéntrico GITAN / Epidemiological and clinical manifestations of severe injuries in Andalucia. GITAN multicenter study

Objetivo. Describir las características epidemiológicas, mecanismo de lesión, características clínicas y severidad de los enfermos con traumatismos graves en nuestra región, a través de un registro de traumatismo. Método. Estudio prospectivo de cohortes realizado durante un período de 6 meses. Ámbito. Diecisiete hospitales de Andalucía. Pacientes. Enfermos con traumatismo grave, definido como aquél con un Injury Severity Score 16 y/o Revised Trauma Score 11. Variables de interés principales. Se analizan variables demográficas, mecanismo lesional, transporte al hospital, categorías diagnósticas según CIE-9, índices de gravedad y mortalidad. Resultados. Fueron incluidos 612 pacientes con traumatismos graves, la mayoría eran varones (78,6 por ciento) con una edad de 36,3 (19,5) años. El mecanismo lesional más frecuente fueron los accidentes de tráfico (65,3 por ciento). Registramos un mayor número de accidentes de tráfico los días de fin de semana. Los accidentes de motocicleta y automóvil predominaron en individuos jóvenes, mientras que en los ancianos fueron más frecuentes los atropellos. El 84 por ciento de los pacientes registrados ingresaron en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Los diagnósticos CIE-9 más frecuentes fueron los referentes al área craneoencefálica (37,9 por ciento) y los traumatismos torácicos (22,1 por ciento). El Injury Severity Score fue de 25,7 (11,0), Revised Trauma Score de 9,7 (2,4) y APACHE II de 13,2 (7,4). Fallecieron en el hospital 136 pacientes (22,2 por ciento). La mortalidad fue superior en los individuos mayores de 60 años (44,5 por ciento frente a 17,8 por ciento, p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Los traumatismos severos analizados proceden en su mayoría de accidentes de tráfico, y corresponden a varones jóvenes. Encontramos mayor mortalidad en los pacientes ancianos (AU)

Medicina de cuidados intensivos / Intensive care medicine

No disponible

Accidente cerebrovascular agudo. ¿Ampliamos nuestra cartera de servicios? / Acute cerebrovacular accident. Should we broaden our portfolio of services?

No disponible

Accidente cerebrovascular agudo. ¿Ampliamos nuestracartera de servicios? / Acute stroke. Are we increasing our portfolio of services?

No disponible

[The EHSA project: the study of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhages in Andalusia. Incidence and results]. / Proyecto EHSA: estudio de hemorragias subaracnoideas espontáneas en Andalucia. Incidencia y resultados.

AIM: To evaluate the incidence and results of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH) in Andalusia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal prospective study of the cases of SAH attended in 28 hospitals in Andalusia over a three month period in 2000. SAH was defined as cases of acute haemorrhagic strokes diagnosed by tomography. The gross incidence rate (GR) was determined from census information from the Instituto Andaluz de Estad stica. Standard rates (SR) were estimated with relation to the European population. Results were evaluated on hospital discharge according to the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and at 12 months, according the Barthel index (BI). RESULTS: The GR per 100,000 inhabitants/year was found to be 5.7 cases and the SR was 5.8. A comparison of incidences by province or sex showed no statistically significant differences. The period of maximum risk was the age bracket between 55 74 years (GR: 14.1). The acute fatality GR and SR rose to 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants and year. Mortality was concentrated in a statistically significant way (p< 0.01) among those over the age of 65; sex did not exert any influence, but clinical gravity (p< 0.001) and the amount of bleeding did (p< 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of spontaneous SAH in Andalusia was found to be within the average rates. Unfavourable results were high, although similar to those in other series. Fatality is significantly associated with factors that cannot be modified medically (age, clinical gravity and volume of bleeding)

Proyecto EHSA: estudio de hemorragias subaracnoideas espontáneas en Andalucía. Incidencia y resultados / The EHSA project: the study of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhages in Andalusia. Incidence and results

Objetivo. Valorar la incidencia y resultados de las hemorragias subaracnoideas (HSA) espontáneas en Andalucía. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, de las HSA asistidas en 28 hospitales de Andalucía, durante tres meses del año 2000. Se consideraron HSA los ictus hemorrágicos agudos con este diagnóstico tomográfico. La incidencia bruta (TB) se estableció mediante la información censal del Instituto Andaluz de Estadística. Las tasas estandarizadas (TEE) se estimaron con relación a la población europea. Los resultados se valoraron al alta hospitalaria según el GOS (del inglés, Glasgow Outcome Score) y a los 12 meses, según el índice de Barthel (IB). Resultados. La TB por 100.000 habitantes/año se situó en 5,7 casos y la TEE en 5,8. La comparación de incidencias según provincia o sexo no mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas. El período de máximo riesgo corresponde al intervalo 55-74 años (TB: 14,1). La TB y TEE de letalidad aguda coincidió en 1,5. A los 12 meses, la TB y TEE de letalidad ascendió a 1,9 por 100.000 habitantes y año. La mortalidad se concentró de forma estadísticamente significativa (p< 0,01) entre los mayores de 65 años; no influyó el sexo, pero sí la gravedad clínica (p< 0,001) y la cuantía del sangrado (p< 0,005). Conclusiones. La incidencia de las HSA espontáneas en Andalucía se sitúa en tasas medias. La proporción de resultados desfavorables es elevada, aunque similar a la de otras series. La letalidad se asocia significativamente a factores (edad, gravedad clínica y volumen de sangrado) no modificables médicamente (AU)

Aim. To evaluate the incidence and results of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH) in Andalusia. Patients and methods. We conducted a longitudinal prospective study of the cases of SAH attended in 28 hospitals in Andalusia over a threemonth period in 2000. SAH was defined as cases of acute haemorrhagic strokes diagnosed by tomography. The gross incidence rate (GR) was determined from census information from the Instituto Andaluz de Estadística. Standard rates (SR) were estimated with relation to the European population. Results were evaluated on hospital discharge according to the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and at 12 months, according the Barthel index (BI). Results. The GR per 100,000 inhabitants/year was found to be 5.7 cases and the SR was 5.8. A comparison of incidences by province or sex showed no statistically significant differences. The period of maximum risk was the age bracket between 55-74 years (GR: 14.1). The acute fatality GR and SR rose to 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants and year. Mortality was concentrated in a statistically significant way (p< 0.01) among those over the age of 65; sex did not exert any influence, but clinical gravity (p< 0.001) and the amount of bleeding did (p< 0.005). Conclusions. The incidence of spontaneous SAH in Andalusia was found to be within the average rates. Unfavourable results were high, although similar to those in other series. Fatality is significantly associated with factors that cannot be modified medically (age, clinical gravity and volume of bleeding) (AU)

Análisis clínico-epidemiológico y de práctica médica del traumatismo grave en andalucía. estudio piloto. proyecto gitan / Analysis of clinico-epidemiological factors and medical treatment of severe trauma in andalucía (spain). pilot study. gitan proyect

Fundamento. Estudio realizado en Andalucía de las características epidemiológicas, de práctica médica y de los circuitos de manejo de los enfermos traumatológicos graves que ingresan en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI).Pacientes y método. Estudio prospectivo y observacional, realizado durante 2 meses, desde el 14 de febrero al 14 de abril de 2000. Análisis descriptivo de los pacientes incluidos en la fase piloto del proyecto GITAN y que ingresaron en las UCI de 3 hospitales terciarios de Andalucía: Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Hospital Virgen del Rocío y Hospital Puerta del Mar. Resultados: Un total de 95 pacientes ingresaron en las 3 unidades. La mayoría de ellos eran varones (78,9 por ciento), con una edad media de 36 (DE 18) años. El mecanismo lesional más frecuente fueron los accidentes de tráfico (67,4 por ciento), seguido de las precipitaciones (21 por ciento). El 30,5 por ciento de los enfermos procedían de otros hospitales. Las categorías diagnósticas más frecuentes fueron: traumatismo craneoencefálico (81 por ciento), traumatismo torácico (32,6 por ciento) y fracturas de huesos largos (27,3 por ciento). Se realizaron 69 TAC craneales, el 78 por ciento de las cuales fueron patológicas. Los índices de gravedad fueron: ISS 24 (12) puntos. APACHE II 13,8 (6,7) puntos. Un total de 46 enfermos (48 por ciento) precisaron ventilación mecánica durante más de 24 h. Hubo 21 episodios de neumonía y seis de síndrome de distrés respiratorio del adulto. La mortalidad en UCI fue del 14 por ciento. Todos los fallecidos lo hicieron en la primera semana y la mitad de ellos en las primeras 24 h del traumatismo. La mediana de estancia en la UCI fue de 6,5 días. Conclusiones. El traumatismo grave en Andalucía, secundario en la mayoría de los casos a accidente de tráfico, afecta a un sector de población joven masculino, en forma de traumatismos craneoencefálicos y torácico. Las complicaciones respiratorias son las constantes principales del consumo de recursos y de la estancia en la UCI (AU)

Acute respiratory distress syndrome among trauma patients: trends in ICU mortality, risk factors, complications and resource utilization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in mortality and related factors among trauma patients who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). STUDY: Observational study based on data prospectively gathered in computerized trauma registry. SETTING: Trauma intensive care unit (ICU) of 48 beds in level I trauma center. PATIENTS: All trauma patients with ARDS admitted during 1985-87 (486, group 1 [G1]) and 1993-95 (552, group 2[G2]). METHODS: ARDS was defined by American-European Consensus Conference criteria and the need for 48 h or more on mechanical ventilation with FIO2 greater than 0.50 and PEEP of more than 5 cmH2O. Demographics, severity score, injury-admission delay time, first 24-h transfusion and septic and organ system failure complications were independent variables. ICU mortality was the dependent variable. ICU length of stay (LOS) and life support techniques were considered. Respiratory and renal support strategies were different in the two time periods. RESULTS: Mortality decreased over the period (G1: 29.2% vs G2: 21.4%, p < 0.04), in patients aged both over and under 65 years. Multivariate analysis showed mortality was related to age, severity and time period (G1 1.68-fold that in G2) and that the greater G1 mortality was related to more renal failure and hematologic failure/dysfunction. ICU LOS decreased from 31.7+/-26.7 days (G1) to 27.3+/-22 days (G2) (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality among trauma patients with ARDS declined over the 8 years studied and was associated with less organ failure. This reduction was probably the result of new approaches to mechanical ventilation, renal failure replacement and vasoactive drug therapy.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome among blunt and penetrating trauma patients: demographics, mortality, and resource utilization over 8 years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare demographics, resources used, and mortality rates among a subset of trauma patients (blunt versus penetrating) who developed adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and over two time periods, 8 years apart. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study was based on an analysis of the computerized Trauma Registry of the Shock Trauma Center of the University of Maryland Medical Systems. All trauma patients with ARDS admitted to a 48-bed trauma intensive care unit (ICU) at a Level I Trauma Center during two time periods of 3 consecutive years each were considered: from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1987 (G1), and January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1995 (G2). Data were collected in the two time periods on demographics, severity (Revised Trauma Score), injury-admission delay time, first 24-hour transfusion fluids and blood, septic and organ system failure complications, life-support techniques, ICU mortality, and length of stay (LOS). The independent variables were the age, type of trauma, severity scores, transport time, fluid therapy, infectious and organ system failure complications, and life-support techniques. The dependent variable was ICU mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,108 patients satisfied the entry criteria, 486 in period G1 and 552 in period G2; 929 (89.5%) suffered blunt trauma and 109 (10.5%) penetrating trauma. Mean age was lower for the penetrating trauma populations. There were no significant differences in ICU mortality between the blunt and penetrating trauma patients with ARDS. A significant decrease in ICU mortality was observed between the time periods studied among both blunt (29.5% vs. 21.7%, P <.001) and penetrating trauma patients (25.7% vs. 18.9%, P <.001). A similar rate of renal, hematologic, and cardiovascular organ system failure was observed for both blunt and penetrating trauma patients. Resource utilization measured by ICU LOS and time on mechanical ventilation was also similar in the two groups. The multivariate analysis showed that ICU mortality was related to age, RTS-measured severity, and time period (G1 mortality 1.68-fold that in G2). Renal and hematologic failures entered a second analysis, replacing the time period variable (G2). CONCLUSIONS: ARDS in patients with blunt and penetrating trauma showed similar trends in ICU mortality, complications, and resource utilization. The ARDS mortality rate decreased over the time period studied in both blunt and penetrating trauma.

Circuitos de manejos intra y extrahospitalario de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda en Andalucía. Proyecto EVASCAN / Intra and extrahospitalary management circuits for acute cerebrovascular disease in Andalucía. The EVASCAN project

El proyecto EVASCAN tiene por objeto la mejora asistencial de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda (ECVA) en Andalucía. Objetivo: El análisis clínico-epidemiológico y de práctica asistencial intra y extrahospitalaria de la ECVA. Métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo transversal. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con clínica de ECVA que acudieron a Urgencias de lso 24 hospitales de Andalucía participantes en el estudio los días 5, 15 y 25 de los meses comprendidos entre el 5 de marzo y el 25 de agosto de 1998. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, tipo de lesión, factores de riesgo, medios de acceso hospitalario, retraso asistencial desde el inicio de la clínica (retraso 1), demora en la realización de la tomografía computerizada (retraso 2), consumo de recursos y destino de los pacientes. Resultados: Muestra de 347 pacientes; edad, 71% > de 65 años; 81,8% de origen isquémico. Factores de riesgo: hipertensión arterial (55,8%), fibrilación auricular (16,5%). E 48,7% acudió por medios propios. Retraso 1: el 47,3% contactó en las tres primera horas. Retraso 2: en el 56,8% se realiza en las 3 primeras horas. Destino: el 59,9% ingresó en Neurología. Conclusiones: La ECVA en Andalucía mantiene un perfil epidemiológico y clínico similar al resto de España. Se hace necesario implantar circuitos específicos de manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico para esta patología, en especial en la de tipo isquémico, dado su retraso asistencial

The EVASCAN Project aims achieving an assistencial improvement for acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) in Andalusia. Objective: A clinico-epidemiological analysis of intra- and extrahospitalary practices in the case of ACVD in Andalusia. Methods: Cross.sectional prospective observational study. All patients were included who evidence clinical manifestations of ACVD and were seen at the Emergency Room in the 24 participating hospitals in Andalusia on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month during the period from 5 March to 25 August 1998. The studied variables were: age, gender, type of lesion, risk factor, means used for access to the hospital, assistential delay from the first clinical manifestation (Delay 1), delay in performing a CT scan (Delay 2), resource usage and final destination of the patients. Results: The sample encompassed 347 patients, 71% of them aged over 65 years, and 81,6% with ischaemic lesions. The main risk factors were high blood pressure (55,8%) and atrial fibrillation (16,5%). Out of the total sample, 48,7% arrived at the hospital using their own transportation means. Delay 1: 47,3% of the cases were seen within the first three hours. Dealy 2: in 56,8% of the cases, the CT scan was performed within the first three hours. Destination: 59,9% of the cases were admitted to the Neurology Services. Conclusions: The Epidemiological and clinical profile of ACVD in Andalusia is similar to that in overall Spain. It is necessary to implement specific diagnostic and therapeutic management circuits for this condition, and particulary for the ischemic type, considering the observed assistential dealays