[Intensive care units for patients with cerebrovascular strokes. Are they worthwhile?]

In Portugal, strokes are the leading cause of mortality and one of the most important causes of hospital admission. An educational programme at several levels, involving the media, populations and health professionals, is necessary to reduce mortality and morbidity rates as well as the resulting high costs. According to international literature, stroke units have shown efficacy in the reduction of mortality, morbidity and costs. They are therefore worthwhile and it is time they were considered.