ABSTRACT
Ischaemic stroke is defined as stroke due to vascular insufficiency (such as cerebrovascular thromboembolism) rather than haemorrhage.
Stroke is the third commonest cause of death in the UK, accounting for 12% of all deaths, with over 100000 first strokes occurring every year. The incidence of first ever stroke is 2 per 1000 population per year with over half the patients aged over 70 years.
