Cranial and non-cranial embolism: incidence in hospitalised patients in Germany

Using the information of the federal statistics, a detailed description of the hospitalisation rate for cranial and non-cranial embolic events in Germany is given for the years 2005–2010. Detailed lists of the ICD codes I63.0 (stroke) and I74 (arterial embolism and thrombosis) as principal diagnosis and of I48.0 (atrial fibrillation) as additional diagnosis for the years 2005–2010 were provided by the Federal Statistical Office. In the 6 years period total number of cases hospitalised for stroke increased by 24 % (from 185.026 to 229.798) and those hospitalised for embolic events by 60 % (from 64,106 to 92,428). The number of atrial fibrillation as a major cause of arterial embolism documented as additional diagnosis increased by 38 % (from 1.06 to 1.48 Mio). Considering the rate per 100,000 inhabitants, intra-cranial embolism showed the most relevant increase with about 56 % since 2005. Cranial embolism is around 2.5 to 4 times more frequent than non-cranial embolism in females aged 70 to 80 years, but only two times in females aged 40–50, 50–60 and 90 years and older. Males showed a similar distribution with a broader peak. From 2005 to 2010 the total number of embolic events increased, with a higher increase in cranial embolism compared to non-cranial embolism.