High prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Spain's Stroke Belt.

Objective: Spain's so-called Stroke Belt is an area with high prevalence of vascular disease. We aimed to determine the prevalence of undetected obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in southern Spain.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital Stroke Unit during 2018 to 2019.

Break in the Stroke Chain of Survival due to COVID-19.

Background And Purpose: Emergency measures to treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and contain the outbreak is the main priority in each of our hospitals; however, these measures are likely to result in collateral damage among patients with other acute diseases. Here, we investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic affects acute stroke care through interruptions in the stroke chain of survival.

Methods: A descriptive analysis of acute stroke care activity before and after the COVID-19 outbreak is given for a stroke network in southern Europe.