Seminars in neurology
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Intraarterial therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) was originally described five decades ago. Since then, the endovascular management of AIS endovascular therapy has advanced swiftly, and a promising body of evidence informing patient selection and interventional techniques has accrued. The authors discuss the evolution of endovascular therapy for AIS, including a review of recently published landmark clinical trials.
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Stroke is a devastating disease and currently the fourth leading cause of death in this country. Acute ischemic stroke is an emergency and requires effective triage, diagnosis, and critical management. The hyperacute management of ischemic stroke begins in the field, with recognition of stroke symptoms by emergency medical systems (EMS) personnel. ⋯ Food and Drug Administration, can be considered using a variety of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Previously time restrictions limited the usage of IV tPA to 3 hours, but this time window has now been extended for eligible candidates to 4.5 hours. The administration of IV tPA has specific requirements for monitoring and should be standardized via protocol across hospitals.
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Seminars in neurology · Nov 2013
Review Case ReportsTreatment of cerebral aneurysms-surgical clipping or endovascular coiling: the guiding principles.
Cerebral aneurysms represent common intracranial vascular lesions encountered in neurosurgical practice. The clinical presentation is varied, ranging from asymptomatic lesions to those presenting with catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage. ⋯ In this article, we review each of these factors and appraise the available scientific evidence in an effort to facilitate decision making in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The treatment of intracranial aneurysms is best performed at high volume centers that utilize a multidisciplinary, team-based approach.
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Seminars in neurology · Nov 2013
ReviewManagement of arterial vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Despite recent advances, cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) still represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Although a significant portion of the morbidity and mortality associated with aSAH is related to the initial hemorrhagic ictus, cerebral vasospasm and DCI are still the leading cause of poor outcomes and death in the acute posthemorrhage period, causing long-term disability or death in more than one in five of all patients who have suffered aSAH and initially survived. Management of patients following aSAH includes four major considerations: (1) prediction of patients at highest risk for development of DCI, (2) prophylactic measures to reduce its occurrence, (3) monitoring to detect early signs of cerebral ischemia, and (4) treatments to correct vasospasm and cerebral ischemia once it occurs. The authors review the pertinent literature related to each, including both the current management guidelines supported by the literature as well as novel management strategies that are currently being investigated.
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Stroke in the distribution of the posterior circulation may present as acute onset spontaneous vertigo and imbalance. Although vertigo due to posterior circulation stroke is usually associated with other neurologic symptoms or signs, small infarcts in the cerebellum or brainstem can present with vertigo without other localizing symptoms. Approximately 17% of patients with isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory infarction presented with isolated vertigo, nystagmus, and postural unsteadiness. ⋯ Sometimes acute isolated audiovestibular loss can be the initial symptom of impending posterior circulation ischemic stroke (particularly within the territory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery). In this case, evaluation of isolated audiovestibular loss may prevent the progression of acute vertigo and hearing loss into more widespread areas of infarction in the posterior circulation. In this article, the clinical syndromes and signs of acute vestibular syndrome due to posterior circulation stroke involving the brainstem and cerebellum are summarized.