Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Animal studies showed that human albumin therapy is strongly neuroprotective in focal ischemia. The aim of our study was to determine if relatively high serum albumin level is associated with decreased risk of poor outcome in ischemic stroke patients. ⋯ Relatively high serum albumin level in acute stroke patients decreases the risk of poor outcome.
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Comparative Study
Agreement between ambulance paramedic- and physician-recorded neurological signs with Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) in acute stroke patients.
Patients with suspected stroke first assessed by ambulance paramedics require early recognition to facilitate appropriate triage and early treatment. We determined paramedic's accuracy in detecting acute stroke signs by comparing agreement between neurological signs recorded in the Face Arm Speech Test (FAST), a stroke recognition instrument, by paramedics on the scene and by stroke physicians after admission. ⋯ Recognition of neurological deficits by ambulance paramedics using FAST shows good agreement with physician assessment, even allowing for temporal evolution of deficits. The high prevalence and good agreement for arm weakness suggest that this sign may have the greatest usefulness for prehospital ambulance triage and paramedic-based neuroprotective trials.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
In acute ischemic stroke, are asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages clinically innocuous?
In patients with acute ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhages are categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on the presence or absence of a clinically detectable neurological deterioration. Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages are believed by many to be clinically innocuous. We examined whether the occurrence of an asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage affects functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated or not treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). ⋯ We could not confirm or exclude a clinically significant effect for asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages based either on our analysis or on any previously published trial. Analysis of substantially larger databases are needed to assess the import of this common clinical event.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Mechanical thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke with endovascular photoacoustic recanalization.
We present the results of endovascular photoacoustic recanalization (EPAR) treatment for acute ischemic stroke from the Safety and Performance Study at 6 centers in Europe and North America. The objectives of mechanical thrombolysis are rapid vessel recanalization and minimal use of chemical thrombolysis. ⋯ This study demonstrates the safety and technical feasibility of EPAR. This new technique may provide another treatment option in the therapeutic armamentarium for patients with acute ischemic stroke.