Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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In the first 3 months after acute ischemic stroke, 2% to 6% of patients die from cardiac causes. This may reflect preexisting cardiac disease, cardiac dysfunction related to the acute neurohumoral and autonomic stress response to stroke, or both. Delineation of a high-risk group could facilitate prevention strategies. We aimed to describe the temporal profile of cardiac risk after stroke and develop a predictive model of serious cardiac adverse events (SCAEs) using baseline variables. ⋯ Serious cardiac events are common in the acute period after stroke. Patients at highest risk are identifiable and may benefit from more aggressive strategies to improve survival.
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The purpose of this study was to describe prognostic factors for outcome in a large series of patients undergoing neurosurgical clipping of aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ⋯ Although most prognostic factors for outcome after SAH are present on admission and are not modifiable, a substantial contribution to outcome is made by factors developing after admission and which may be more easily influenced by treatment.
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Tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion independently predicts poor outcome after intravenous thrombolysis. Recanalization of internal carotid artery dissection by stent-assisted angioplasty has recently been proposed when anticoagulation fails to prevent a new ischemic event. We recently reported a case of tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion with dissection of the internal carotid artery successfully treated with endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis. ⋯ Endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis is a promising treatment in tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion due to internal carotid artery dissection and compares favorably with intravenous rtPA.
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For patients having suffered ischemic stroke, the current diagnostic strategies often fail to detect atrial fibrillation as a potential cause of embolic events. The aim of the study was to identify paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in stroke patients. We hypothesized that patients with frequent atrial premature beats (APBs) recorded in 24-hour ECG will show more often atrial fibrillation when followed by repeated long-term ECG recordings than patients without or infrequent APBs. ⋯ In patients with acute ischemic stroke, frequent APBs (> or = 70/24 hours) are a marker for individuals who are at greater risk to develop or have paroxysmal AF. For such patients, we propose a diagnostic workup with repeated prolonged ECG monitoring to diagnose paroxysmal AF.
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The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is the preferred measure of disability in cerebrovascular clinical trials, but its value is restricted by interobserver variability. Poor reliability reduces the statistical power of clinical trials and leads to underestimation of effect size. Strategies to improve mRS grading are required. Video training has previously improved application of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in clinical research. We developed an mRS training resource in an attempt to minimize interobserver variability. ⋯ Mass training in mRS assessment for clinical trials is possible. We outline the development of a video-based training package, including technical issues, patient selection procedures, and methods of scoring and assessment. Certification results suggest that use of the resource can improve mRS grading. Acceptability of the training has been demonstrated by its successful use in 2 international acute stroke trials, SAINT 1 and CHANT.