Cerebrovascular diseases
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2010
The modified Rankin Scale in acute stroke has good inter-rater-reliability but questionable validity.
The modified Rankin Scale (mRS), designed as a measure of disability in the community, has increasingly been administered in the acute stroke setting but has been poorly studied within the hospital environment. We prospectively studied the interrater reliability of the mRS in acutely hospitalised stroke patients and examined the effect of prior experience with the scale and use of a decision tool on the interrater agreement of trained raters. ⋯ Trained raters were found to have good interrater agreement overall when the mRS was scored in acute stroke patients but obvious problems with the interpretation and relevancy of the scale in this setting raise concerns about validity. The use of the mRS to rate disability in the acute hospital environment should be questioned.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAntiplatelet therapy in combination with rt-PA thrombolysis in ischemic stroke (ARTIS): rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial.
Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is currently the only approved acute therapy for ischemic stroke. After rt-PA-induced recanalization, reocclusion is observed in 20-34%, probably caused by platelet activation. In acute myocardial infarction, the combination of thrombolytic and antiplatelet therapy leads to a better outcome compared to thrombolytic treatment alone. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, several studies showed that those on antiplatelet treatment prior to rt-PA had an equal or even better outcome compared to patients without prior use of antiplatelet therapy, despite an increased risk of bleeding. ⋯ This study will answer the question whether the combination of rt-PA and antiplatelet therapy improves the functional outcome in ischemic stroke patients.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyVery early rehabilitation or intensive telemetry after stroke: a pilot randomised trial.
Stroke patients are more likely to make a good recovery if they receive care in a well-organised stroke unit. However, there are uncertainties about how best to provide such care. We studied 2 key aspects of early stroke unit care: early active mobilisation (EM) and automated monitoring (AM) for physiological complications such as hypoxia. ⋯ We have demonstrated the feasibility of implementing EM and AM for physiological complications in a randomised controlled trial. Larger trials are warranted to determine whether these interventions have clinical benefits.
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The aim of the Synergium was to devise and prioritize new ways of accelerating progress in reducing the risks, effects, and consequences of stroke. ⋯ To accelerate progress in stroke, we must reach beyond the current status scientifically, conceptually, and pragmatically. Advances can be made not only by doing, but ceasing to do. Significant savings in time, money, and effort could result from discontinuing practices driven by unsubstantiated opinion, unproven approaches, and financial gain. Systematic integration of knowledge into programs coupled with careful evaluation can speed the pace of progress.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2010
Comparative StudyComparison of telephone and face-to-face assessment of the modified Rankin Scale.
A structured interview improves the reliability of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), a commonly used functional outcome scale in stroke trials. Telephone interview is a fast and convenient way to assess the mRS grade, but its validity is unknown. We assessed the validity of a telephone interview in patients who had had an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) by comparing it with a face-to-face assessment. ⋯ Telephone assessment of the mRS with a structured interview has a good agreement with face-to-face assessment and can thus be used reliably in the setting of a clinical trial.