Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Comparative Study
Racial differences in thoracic aorta atherosclerosis among ischemic stroke patients.
Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta is an independent risk factor for stroke. There is little information on the impact of race in the prevalence of thoracic aorta atherosclerotic plaques among ischemic stroke patients. This study was an attempt to objectively assess the prevalence, thickness, and burden of thoracic aorta atherosclerotic plaques in a large population of ischemic stroke patients and to compare the differences between American blacks and whites. ⋯ Among ischemic stroke patients, blacks had a lower prevalence of extra cranial atherosclerotic disease even though they had significantly higher hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared with whites. This difference cannot be explained by the existing risk factors in ischemic stroke patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Evaluation of a stroke family support organiser: a randomized controlled trial.
There is inconclusive evidence of the effectiveness of the Stroke Family Support Organiser (FSO) service. We report the results from a randomized controlled trial of the service. ⋯ The FSO service had no significant effect on mood, independence in activities of daily living, or reduction in caregiver strain, but it did increase knowledge of stroke and satisfaction with that knowledge. The results may not be representative of all FSO services, and the sample was small relative to the heterogeneity of the participants. However, results suggest that the policies and training procedures of FSOs need to be evaluated to ensure that a cost-effective service is being provided to stroke patients and their caregivers.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Adaptive noninvasive assessment of intracranial pressure and cerebral autoregulation.
A mathematical model has previously been introduced to estimate noninvasively intracranial pressure (nICP). In the present multicenter study, we investigated the ability of model to adapt to the state of cerebral autoregulation (SCA). This modification was intended to improve the quality of nICP estimation and noninvasive assessment of pressure reactivity of the cerebrovascular system. ⋯ Continuous adaptation of the model to SCA improves the accuracy of noninvasive estimation of ICP and ICP dynamics. The same model provides a noninvasive and continuous assessment of SCA.
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Comparative Study
Diagnostic accuracy of stroke referrals from primary care, emergency room physicians, and ambulance staff using the face arm speech test.
Timely referral of appropriate patients to acute stroke units is necessary for effective provision of skilled care. We compared the characteristics of referrals with suspected stroke to an academic acute stroke unit via 3 primary referral routes: ambulance paramedics using a rapid ambulance protocol and stroke recognition instrument, the Face Arm Speech Test; primary care doctors (PCDs); and emergency room (ER) referrals. ⋯ Misdiagnosis of stroke is common in the ER and by PCDs. Paramedics using the Face Arm Speech Test achieved high levels of detection and diagnostic accuracy of stroke.