Cerebrovascular diseases
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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.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialNeurothrombectomy for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke: results from the TREVO study.
Fast recanalization has been shown to be one of the most important factors for good clinical outcome in stroke patients with acute large vessel occlusion. While intravenous thrombolysis has been shown to be of limited effect in patients with large clot burden, intra-arterial neurothrombectomy offers a new and promising possibility to achieve high recanalization rates within a short time. The Trevo device is a stent-like retriever and was primarily designed to remove thrombus in patients experiencing an acute ischemic stroke. We report on the results of the TREVO Study, which was a prospective, multicenter study in acute stroke patients treated with the Trevo device. ⋯ The study suggest that the Trevo Stentriever™ is a safe and effective device, which may offer the possibility of a high reperfusion rate and a high rate of patients with good clinical outcome after acute ischemic stroke due to proximal arterial occlusion. Randomized trials comparing intravenous thrombolysis with neurothrombectomy are now urgently needed to evaluate this new approach of interventional stroke therapy.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2013
Multicenter StudySerum uric acid and outcome after acute ischemic stroke: PREMIER study.
Current evidence shows that uric acid is a potent antioxidant whose serum concentration increases rapidly after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nevertheless, the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and AIS outcome remains debatable. We aimed to describe the prognostic significance of SUA in AIS. ⋯ A low SUA concentration is modestly associated with a very good short-term outcome. Our findings support the hypothesis that SUA is more a marker of the magnitude of the cerebral infarction than an independent predictor of stroke outcome.