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.