DEFINITION:
Any cerebrovascular incident producing neurological sequelae lasting more than 24 hours and including infarction of brain tissue, hemorrhage or embolism from an extra-cranial source. There must be evidence of permanent neurological deficit on physical examination. Transient Ischemic Attacks are specifically excluded.

INTERPRETATION:
This definition covers all three mechanisms that cause strokes: Thrombosis, caused by a blockage by a thrombus (clot) that has built up on the wall of a brain artery; Embolisation, caused by an embolus (usually a clot) being swept into a brain artery causing blockage; Hemorrhage, caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in or near the brain's surface. In the event of a Stroke, permanent neurological deficit (scar tissue) will be present to verify the occurrence. Any incident with symptoms lasting less than 24 hours is referred to as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) and is not covered under this definition.