Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of perfusion computed tomography (PCT) and CT angiography (CTA) including CTA source images (CTA-SI) in comparison with perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (PWI) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in acute stroke <6 hours. ⋯ In hyperacute stroke, the combination of PCT and CTA can render important diagnostic information regarding the infarct extent and the perfusion deficit. Lesions on PCT-TTP and PCT-CBV do not differ from lesions on PWI-TTP and PWI-CBV; lesions on CTA source images do not differ from lesions on DWI. The combination of noncontrast-enhanced CT (NECT), perfusion CT (PCT), and CT angiography (CTA) can render additional information within <15 minutes and may help in therapeutic decision-making if PWI and DWI are not available or cannot be performed on specific patients.
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Although atrial fibrillation is the most frequent cause of cardioembolic stroke, this arrhythmia remains underdiagnosed, as it is often asymptomatic or intermittent and, thus, may not be detected on standard 12-lead ECG or even 24-hour ECG recording (Holter). In this study, we hypothesized that 7-day ambulatory ECG monitoring using an event-loop recording (ELR) device would detect otherwise occult episodes atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF) after acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). ⋯ Following acute stroke or TIA, ELR identified patients with AF, which remained undetected with standard ECG and with Holter. ELR should, therefore, be considered in every patient in whom a cardioembolic mechanism is suspected.
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Blacks have an excess burden of stroke compared with whites; however, data comparing ischemic stroke subtypes among the 2 groups are limited and typically involve relative frequencies. The objective of this study is to compare the incidence rates of ischemic stroke subtypes between blacks and whites within a large, representative, biracial population. ⋯ The excess burden of ischemic strokes among blacks compared with whites is not uniformly spread across the different subtypes. Large-vessel strokes are more common and cardioembolic stroke are as common among blacks, traditionally thought to be more common among whites.
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Despite Food and Drug Administration approval of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) for stroke, obstacles in the US health care system prevent widespread use. The Remote Evaluation for Acute Ischemic Stroke (REACH) program was developed to address these obstacles in rural settings. We have previously shown the reliability of the REACH system in performing a valid National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) evaluation at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). We now report on the performance of the system since its deployment in 5 rural hospitals in east Georgia. ⋯ The REACH system enables remote stroke physicians to direct the local ED staff to administer tPA in rural settings where thrombolytics were not previously used. REACH may be used as a rapid consult tool to provide the same quality of stroke care to patients in rural hospitals as is given in tertiary stroke centers. This supports our endeavor to bring stroke expertise to rural community hospitals.