Background:

In the Spanish language, there exists a considerable heterogeneity regarding the translation and use of the term “stroke,” which has multiple implications for epidemiology and science as well as the general population.

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to complete a Delphi exercise on the terminology for the Spanish equivalent for the term “stroke” in a group of Mexican experts in vascular neurology.

Methods:

A 3-phase consensus process was carried out using the Delphi method. The convened experts who agreed to participate completed an initial questionnaire. Subsequent questionnaires were designed based on the initial results. The final consensus was validated in a different group of researchers.

Results:

69 stroke specialists participated in the first round, 78% also participated in the second round, and 72% in all three rounds. From an initial list of 33 terms derived from an initial search of the medical literature in Spanish, a consensus of more than 70% was obtained to designate stroke as: “Enfermedad Vascular Cerebral (EVC)” and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke as “infarto cerebral” and “hemorragia cerebral,” respectively. Likewise, the so-called “stroke units” were designated as “unidades neurovasculares”.

Conclusions:

This is the first work that seeks to solve, through a consensus methodology, the great diversity that exists in the Spanish language regarding the terminology of stroke.