[Stroke. Status and general practice of conservative treatment and rehabilitation]

Adequate help for the apoplectic patient according to recent standards can be given only by simultaneous and equivalent orientation towards both acute therapy and rehabilitation, which should merge smoothly into each other. This can be achieved only by specialised hospitalisation. The idea of totally domestic treatment, as advocated in times past, has to be abandoned for good. In the foreground of acute therapy are treatment of edema, cardiac output and blood pressure, rheological factors: blood viscosity, thrombocyte aggregation, erythrocyte elasticity. In the foreground of rehabilitation efforts we place the principle of "totality and permanence" regardless of prognostic selectivity. The principle of permanence refers to rehabilitative efforts from the very beginning to long-term rehabilitation for months and years with the help of our special rehabilitation service and systematic training of relatives. At least, it has to be stressed that the rehabilitation patient is not a medical waste product and not a symbol of medical surrender either. It would be unfair and senseless to help him through the acute phase and leave him alone during his rehabilitation period. Permanent attention for the apoplectic patient is essential within a system of social medicine. Much is lacking in this respect, as far as academic institutions, advanced training, and information is concerned. We hope that we herewith demonstrate that not only the acute therapy, but also the rehabilitation of the apoplectic patient is a field of scientific fascination, still being in consequent further development. It is intended to give an additional stimulus for the optimal after-care of the apoplectic.