Cerebrovascular diseases
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
Review Meta AnalysisUsing aerobic exercise to improve health outcomes and quality of life in stroke: evidence-based exercise prescription recommendations.
Stroke patients often suffer from poor cardiovascular health and deficits in physical, psychosocial and cognitive functioning. Aerobic exercise training may be a viable treatment approach to address these health issues. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on various indicators of health, functioning and quality of life in stroke patients. It was hypothesized that the systematic review would reveal compelling support for the effectiveness of aerobic exercise in stroke patients, such that detailed evidence-based exercise prescription recommendations could be derived. ⋯ There is strong evidence that aerobic exercise (40-50% HRR progressing to 60-80%) conducted 20-40 min and 3-5 days per week is beneficial for enhancing aerobic fitness, walking speed and walking endurance in people who have had mild to moderate stroke and are deemed to have low cardiovascular risk with exercise after proper screening assessments (grade A recommendation). The effects of aerobic exercise on other health outcomes require further study.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyIncreased benefit of alteplase in patients with ischemic stroke and a high body temperature.
In observational studies, a high body temperature has been associated with unfavorable outcome. In in vitro studies, the fibrinolytic activity of alteplase decreased 5% per degree Celsius reduction in temperature. The modifying effect of body temperature on treatment with alteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke is unclear. We assessed the influence of baseline body temperature on the effect of alteplase on functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke, included in the Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) in Stroke (PAIS) trial. ⋯ Patients with ischemic stroke and a high body temperature may have a larger benefit of treatment with alteplase than patients with lower body temperatures. These findings are in line with those from in vitro studies, in which lowering temperature decreased the fibrinolytic activity of the enzyme alteplase. This interaction should be explored further in randomized clinical trials of thrombolytic therapy or modification of body temperature. Trials of therapeutic hypothermia should be controlled for treatment with thrombolytics, and trials of thrombolytic treatment should consider body temperature as a potential effect modifier.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
ReviewHematoma expansion following acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the most devastating form of stroke, has no specific therapy proven to improve outcome by randomized controlled trial. Location and baseline hematoma volume are strong predictors of mortality, but are nonmodifiable by the time of diagnosis. Expansion of the initial hematoma is a further marker of poor prognosis that may be at least partly preventable. ⋯ Although the biological mechanisms of hematoma expansion remain unclear, accumulating evidence supports a model of ongoing secondary bleeding from ruptured adjacent vessels surrounding the initial bleeding site. Several large clinical trials testing therapies aimed at preventing hematoma expansion are in progress, including aggressive blood pressure reduction, treatment with recombinant factor VIIa guided by CT angiography findings, and surgical intervention for superficial hematomas without intraventricular extension. Hematoma expansion is so far the only marker of outcome that is amenable to treatment and thus a potentially important therapeutic target.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyIs isolated aphasia a typical presentation of presumed cardioembolic transient ischemic attack or stroke?
Previous studies have suggested that patients with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke and isolated aphasia should be carefully screened for a potential cardiac source of embolism. Most of these publications, however, were case reports or small-series. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between isolated aphasia and atrial fibrillation (AF) as the cause of presumed cardioembolic TIA or stroke within the setting of 2 large multicenter trials. ⋯ Isolated aphasia is an independent sign of AF in patients with a TIA or minor ischemic stroke. Careful cardiac screening seems warranted in patients with isolated aphasia, as secondary prevention is different in patients with a cardiac source of embolism.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
ReviewMultivariable analysis in cerebrovascular research: practical notes for the clinician.
The term 'multivariate analysis' is often used when one is referring to a multivariable analysis. 'Multivariate', however, implies a statistical analysis with multiple outcomes. In contrast, multivariable analysis is a statistical tool for determining the relative contributions of various factors to a single event or outcome. ⋯ Such an analysis is in contrast to a univariable (or 'simple') analysis, where single predictor variables are considered. We review the basics of multivariable analyses, what assumptions underline them and how they should be interpreted and evaluated.