See related article, pages 2379–2383. Unlike in acute myocardial infarction, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of vascular arterial occlusion in acute stroke is heterogeneous. Composition of cerebral embolic material may vary, depending on specific endothelial and flow conditions of the embolic source. Old, platelet-rich, and well-organized thrombi formed under flow conditions have be...

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a very rare congenital cardiac anomaly with an incidence of 0.05-1%. Inevitably, patients QAV are at increased risk infective endocarditis. The main structural sequela predominantly regurgitant (aortic insufficiency). Approximately 1 in 5 cases require surgical intervention and t...

We report a case of fatal cardiac rupture occurring during intraarterial thrombolytic therapy for acute embolic stroke in a patient with recent myocardial infarction.

We conducted a randomized, blinded controlled trial to test the efficacy of fibrinolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase in the treatment of acute embolic stroke. Embolic stroke was simulated in rabbits by injecting three 0.5x0.5 mm fragments of autologous arterial thrombus harvested from a traumatized auricular artery. Thirty minutes after embolization the rabbits were ...

Drug Name: Exanta (ximelagatran) 36 mg bid oral formulation Indication(s): reduction of risk of stroke or systemic embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) is a frequent cause of ischemic stroke in young patients. Whether cerebral ischemia is of embolic or hemodynamic origin remains to be determined. Heparin is often administered in ICAD; however, a drug trial can hardly be conducted because of the low recurrence rate after the acute stage. Therefore, the best therapeutic approach sh...