ACIDENTE VASCULAR ENCEFÁLICO E USO DA ESCALA NIHSS

Abstract

Stroke (CVA) is a global problem. It can be defined as a neurological deficit caused, abruptly, by the interruption of blood flow to the brain, in an ischemic or hemorrhagic manner. Ischemic stroke represents around 80% of these events, being the most prevalent and incident in Brazil. It is estimated that around 15 million people are affected each year and of these 5 million die. The aggressiveness of this pathology makes it one of the main causes of death in the world, generating high costs, around 0.66% of global GDP. The NIHSS scale, developed in the 1980s, underwent changes in 2004 to improve its usefulness in light of the Brazilian reality and is accepted as a potential modifier of the care offered to post-stroke patients. The objective of this study was to carry out a brief review of the literature on the applicability of the NIHSS scale in post-stroke patients. To prepare this study, databases such as SciELO, MEDLINE/PubMED and LILACS were used. Data analysis showed that, even with the existence of programs to combat the factors that predispose to this pathology, the incidence of this disease may increase in the coming years and the NIHSS scale, although programmed to assist in research, is accepted as an examination more effective clinical approach to quantify the neurological deficit caused by this condition. The scale also proved to be efficient in determining the best treatment by quickly allowing 5 to 8 minutes to understand the patient's current state: regarding the progression of the neurological deficit. An important factor for applying the scale is the training of professionals, which can be carried out online, however, caution must be taken when applying it, as this tool was designed for research purposes.