Incidence and mortality of cerebral vascular complications in France
Giroud, M.
Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angeiologie 43(4): 214-218
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3928 PMID: 8024236 Document Number: 427963
Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are the third cause of death after malignancy and cardiovascular disorders and the first cause of handicap in adults. This involves a range of pathological processes, dominated by ischemic CVA or cerebral infarcts, both in terms of incidence and severity. Cerebral infarcts are not viewed in the same way as myocardial infarcts since they involve the elderly and, as yet, there is no treatment during the acute phase, the only therapeutic advances having concerned primary and secondary preventive treatment. There is nevertheless renewed interest in, not to say rediscovery of, this pathology. Ischemic CVA and ischemic cardiac accidents have major similarities from both an etiological and prognostic standpoint. Furthermore, the heart plays a considerable role in the pathogenesis of many ischemic CVA, indicating the need for effective preventive treatment. Only a population-based registry is able to provide information regarding the actual status of a disorder, its course and natural history.