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Eduardo Martínez Vila , Director of department of Neurology , Clínica Universidad de Navarra

Stroke: every minute is gold

Sun, 01 May 2011 10:43:29 +0000 Published in ABC (Madrid)

Strokes are the consequence of a blood circulation disorder in the brain and are produced by the obstruction of blood flow in an artery (thrombosis), which causes an infarct, or by the rupture of an artery, resulting in a hemorrhage or stroke. Approximately 75% of strokes are infarctions and 25% are cerebral hemorrhages. Of those who survive the acute phase of stroke, about 60% will be left with disabling sequelae and will require financial aid for basic activities of daily living. Stroke is a medical emergency, in which every minute that passes the chances of recovery are reduced, hence the statement that "time is brain". At present, neurorehabilitation represents an important alternative to improve the deficits produced by stroke, taking advantage of and optimizing the mechanisms of brain plasticity, through a set of methods. Neurorehabilitation requires an experienced team multidisciplinary . The central role of the neurologist allows to establish improvements in diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic guidance, as well as in the development of new and more effective techniques to optimize motor control and cognitive skills. In addition to the neurologist and rehabilitation physician, the team should include a physiotherapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, neuropsychologist and social worker. Depending on the case, the participation of other specialists such as psychiatrists, otorhinolaryngologists, neurosurgeons, pulmonologists, traumatologists and orthopedists may be required. The goal of neurorehabilitation treatment is to achieve the greatest reduction in patient disability and a shorter hospital stay, with the consequent reduction of the expense healthcare costs.