In the 10 years since the FDA first cleared the use of endovascular devices for the treatment of acute stroke, definitive evidence that such therapy improves outcomes remains lacking. The decision to intubate patients undergoing stroke thrombectomy impacts multiple variables that may influence outcomes after stroke. Three main areas where intubation may deleteriously affect acute stroke managem...

The Irish Heart Foundation carried out the Irish National Audit of Stroke Care (INASC) in 2008. Management practices were significantly poorer than those in the UK Sentinel audits. Since then an acute stroke unit has been established in University Hospital Limerick. A stroke database was established. 12 key indicators of stroke management audited by INASC were identified. Results were compared ...

BACKGROUND an organized, goal-defined and time-specified plan of management as envisaged by the integrated care pathway approach can achieve quality outcomes at lower cost. Integrated care pathways may have applications to stroke management because diagnosis is well defined, complex interdisciplinary inputs are required and there is good evidence on best practice. METHOD we reviewed medical, ...

Evidence-based medicine has emerged as a valuable tool to guide clinical decision-making, by summarizing the best possible evidence for both diagnostic and treatment strategies. Imaging plays a critical role in the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke, especially those who are being considered for thrombolytic or endovascular therapy. Time from stroke-symptom onset to...

Background. Common models of acute stroke care include the acute stroke unit, focusing on acute management, and the comprehensive stroke unit, incorporating acute care and rehabilitation. We hypothesise that the rehabilitation focus in the comprehensive stroke unit promotes early physical activity and discharge directly home. Methods. We conducted a two-centre prospective observational study of...

Stroke and cerebrovascular disorders are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children; they are already amongst the top 10 causes of childhood death and are probably increasing in prevalence. Acute treatment of stroke syndromes in adults is now evidence based. However, paediatric stroke syndromes are far less common and the differential diagnosis is very wide, but the individual heal...

Introduction: Elevated levels of CRP are present among patients at risk for further first-ever myocardial infarction and stroke. It has been shown that after ischemic stroke, increased levels of CRP are associated with unfavorable outcomes. Methods: From 120 patients admitted to the emergency unit of our hospital with the diagnosis of stroke CRP, D-dimer and ferritin level was measured and the ...

BACKGROUND Stroke affects one in six people throughout their lifetimes and is the most frequent cause of disability in adults. Several recanalization therapies have emerged and the management of patients in stroke units has improved over the last decades. SUMMARY This article examines the current treatment options for stroke patients, summarizing the key clinical evidence, as well as listing ...

BACKGROUND Strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are typically larger, are associated with higher early mortality, and occur in older patients versus strokes in patients with sinus rhythm. Until recently, the value of antithrombotic therapies for acute stroke management has been based on empiric evidence. SUMMARY OF REVIEW We present a critical review of 3 randomized clinical tria...