The economic approach to the stroke work-up.

Stroke is the leading cause of morbidity in the United States and the expenditure for stroke aftercare, including lost wages, is astronomical. Reduction of risk factors and use of the most accurate diagnostic technology allows for intervention prior to catastrophic neurologic deficit. The most advantageous combination of diagnostic testing with regard to risk-benefit has been debated, but it is generally agreed that the cost of even the most sophisticated stroke work-up is far less than that of stroke aftercare.