Argentina mandates reporting of stroke and heart failure cases

Argentina’s Ministry of Health has designated stroke (ACV) and decompensated heart failure (IC) as mandatory notification events within the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS 2.0). This measure extends the rigorous monitoring previously reserved for infectious diseases and epidemic outbreaks to these serious non-communicable conditions.

All medical professionals, healthcare teams, and both public and private health institutions are now legally required to report confirmed cases using standardized criteria across all jurisdictions. The initiative aims to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, improve prevention, and optimize resource allocation.

For stroke cases, the registry will monitor clinical and epidemiological criteria to estimate national incidence, characterize affected populations, and evaluate the effectiveness of stroke units and hospital mortality rates. A key focus is the critical 4.5-hour window for reperfusion therapies, which can reduce neurological sequelae by 28%.

Regarding heart failure, surveillance will focus on hospitalizations and readmissions. This is intended to address high mortality and hospitalization costs, noting that heart failure affects approximately 1 in 60 to 90 Argentines and has significant impacts on hospital demand and long-term disability.