The major clinical findings of acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) were analyzed for 1089 patients from Salvador City (Bahia, Brazil) who attended to medical services from 1 July 1979 to 30 June 1980. Data were collected from all hospitals and emergency services, from private and public sectors, which admitted patients with CVA. Hemiplegies and speech disturbances were the most commonly observed findings in both sexes. In 167 patients (23.03%) a reference to an early episode of CVA was found; 34.93% of the patients were in coma at the time of admission and the lethality rate in this group was 80.87%. The quality of the medical attention provided to these patients was commented. A better organization of the services for tertiary prevention is needed in order to improve patient's adhesion and quality of life.