Tempol catalyzes the formation of H(2)O(2) from superoxide and relaxes blood vessels. We tested the hypothesis that the generation of H(2)O(2) by tempol in vascular smooth muscle cells during oxidative stress contributes to the vasorelaxation. Tempol and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) both metabolize superoxide in vascular smooth muscle cells, but only tempol generates H(2)O(2). Rat pressurized me...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE National guidelines recommend lipid testing for all patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. This study examined the frequency and predictors for in-hospital low-density lipoprotein testing using data from a nationwide stroke registry. METHODS Between 2003 and 2008, Get With The Guideline-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) hospitals (n=981) contributed 479 284 con...

BACKGROUND Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) at a high risk of stroke can be identified and should be managed urgently. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether recognized recommendations are being implemented in Israel. METHODS An Israeli nationwide registry (NASIS) on patients admitted with stroke and TIA was conducted in all acute care hospitals within 2 successive months during 200...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Antithrombotic medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets) are often withheld in the periprocedural period and after bleeding complications to limit the risk of new or recurrent bleeding. These medications are also stopped by patients for various reasons such as cost, side effects, or unwillingness to take medication. METHODS Patient records from the population-based...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Reliable comparisons of stroke incidence are important. To determine the impact of systematic assessment of patients referred with transient ischemic attack on the measured incidence and severity of stroke, we compared 2 population-based studies. METHODS Patients with first-ever stroke ascertained during 2006 through 2010 from the Dijon Stroke Registry and the Oxford Va...

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) cause similar symptoms, but the blockage of blood flow to the brain is temporary. However, about one-third of people who have a TIA will have a stroke within 1 year (3). Emergency departments play a critical role in the diagnosis and management of isc...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Data concerning potentially treatable risk factors for early recurrent stroke are limited. Therefore, we carried out a retrospective case-control study to identify factors predisposing to early reinfarction. SUMMARY OF REVIEW We identified all patients admitted to Duke University Hospital or the Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center during 1 year having two docu...

ischemic or hemorrhagic cause. It is now clear that transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke are highly predictive of a subsequent disabling ischemic stroke within hours or days. The critical clinical problems for physicians and nurse practitioners who evaluate these patients are to identify that the patient has had a stroke or transient ischemic attack and to stratify risk to determ...

Background. Zinc mediates several vital physiological, enzymatic and cellular functions. The association between serum zinc and stroke outcome has not been previously evaluated. Methods. This single center retrospective study was conducted on consecutive stroke (n = 158) and TIA (n = 74) patients. We sought to determine whether serum zinc concentrations in patients with acute ischemic strokes w...

Maintenance of brain function depends on a constant blood supply. Deficits in cerebral blood flow are linked to cognitive decline, and they have detrimental effects on the outcome of ischemia. Hypertension causes alterations in cerebral artery structure and function that can impair blood flow, particularly during an ischemic insult or during periods of low arterial pressure. This review will fo...