Stroke Units An evidence based approach

Based on systematic reviews carried out by the international Stroke Unit Trialists' Collaboration, this book discusses the place of the in-patient stroke unit in the present day mangement of stroke patients. The analysis discusses both their methodology and results in terms of effectiveness of the stroke unit - reduction of mortality, benefit to patients, and resource implications. The wider issues are addressed in chapters considering other alternatives and situations where less evidence is available.

Peter Langhorne and Martin Dennis have written most chapters and take editorial responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in this book. Additional contributions (Chapter 5 and Appendix) have been made by invited authors. However, many other individuals have contributed to the project and the main body of data, descriptive information, and useful advice and comment have been provided by members of a collaborative review group (the Stroke Unit Trialists’ Collaboration - see list below). Therefore individual chapters of the book should be cited as follows: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 - Langhorne and Dennis on behalf of the Stroke Unit Trialists’ Collaboration; 5 - Major and Walker; Appendix - Perth unit: Hankey and colleagues, Trondheim unit; Indredavik and colleagues, Orpington unit: Kalra, Nottingham unit: Berman and colleagues.