Cerebrovascular diseases
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyRisk of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack and patent foramen ovale: the FORI (Foramen Ovale Registro Italiano) study.
The optimal management of patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) at diagnostic workup remains unclear. The aims of this observational multicenter study were to evaluate: (1) the risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with cryptogenic minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and PFO who either underwent percutaneous PFO closure or received only medical treatment, and (2) the risk factors associated with recurrent events. ⋯ The results of this observational, nonrandomized study suggest that PFO closure might be superior to medical therapy for the prevention of recurrent stroke. Periprocedural complications were the trade-off for this clinical benefit. Controlled randomized clinical trials comparing percutaneous closure with medical management are required.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2011
Multicenter StudyThrombolysis at 3-4.5 hours after acute ischemic stroke onset--evidence from the Canadian Alteplase for Stroke Effectiveness Study (CASES) registry.
Extending the therapeutic window for thrombolysis is an important strategy in maximizing the proportion of patients treated. ECASS III examined a 3-4.5-hour window and showed a benefit to treated patients. We examined the experience in Canadian centres using intravenous tPA treatment in the 3-4.5-hour time window. ⋯ Our study suggests that patients with acute ischemic stroke may be successfully treated with intravenous tPA in the 3-4.5-hour treatment window, but cautions that later time window treatment may result in greater adverse events.