ABSTRACT
Stroke can be defi ned as any physical disorder that alters global or regional blood fl ow to the brain that results in hemorrhage, infarction, vasospasm, or infl ammation. It remains the third most common cause of adult mortality in the United States, accounting for 1 of every 15 deaths from any cause (∼273,000 stroke-related deaths) or 17% of all cardiovascular deaths in 2003 ( 1 ). Every year, as many as 730,000 new cases of stroke occur in the American population ( 2 ). With nearly 4.5 million surviving victims, stroke is the most frequently encountered source of longterm disability in our society. Estimates of the national cost of this disease vary depending on the reference, but most authorities agree that at least $50 billion are spent annually to cover all expenses associated with the care of stroke victims ( 1,3 ). The average direct cost per case, including all illness-related expenses, is approximately $50,000 ( 4 ). In 2006, the total lifetime cost of an ischemic stroke is estimated to be $140,048 per person, as calculated in 1999 ( 1 ).
