Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The combined approach to lysis utilizing eptifibatide and rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke: the CLEAR stroke trial.
Multiple approaches are being studied to enhance the rate of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Treatment of myocardial infarction with a combination of a reduced-dose fibrinolytic agent and a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist has been shown to improve the rate of recanalization versus fibrinolysis alone. The combined approach to lysis utilizing eptifibatide and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (CLEAR) stroke trial assessed the safety of treating acute ischemic stroke patients within 3 hours of symptom onset with this combination. ⋯ The safety of the combination of reduced-dose rt-PA plus eptifibatide justifies further dose-ranging trials in acute ischemic stroke.
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Thrombolysis with tPA is the only FDA-approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke. But its widespread application remains limited by narrow treatment time windows and the related risks of cerebral hemorrhage. In this study, we ask whether minocycline can prevent tPA-associated cerebral hemorrhage and extend the reperfusion window in an experimental stroke model in rats. ⋯ Combination therapy with minocycline may extend tPA treatment time windows in ischemic stroke.
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Therapeutic temperature modulation is widely used in neurocritical care but commonly causes shivering, which can hamper the cooling process and result in increases in systemic metabolism. We sought to validate a grading scale to assist in the monitoring and control of shivering. ⋯ The Bedside Shivering Assessment Scale is a simple and reliable tool for evaluating the metabolic stress of shivering.
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Complications after stroke have been shown to impede rehabilitation, lead to poor functional outcome, and increase cost of care. This inception cohort study sought to investigate the prevalence of immobility-related complications during the first year after severely disabling stroke in relation to functional independence and place of residence. ⋯ Immobility-related complications are very common in the first year after a severely disabling stroke. Patients who are more functionally dependent in self-care are likely to experience a greater number of complications than those who are less dependent. Trials of techniques to limit and prevent complication are required.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the periprocedural morbidity, mortality, and long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up using stent-assisted coiling and stenting alone for treatment of cranial fusiform dissecting and atherosclerotic aneurysms. ⋯ Stent-assisted coil embolization is an attractive option for ruptured and nonruptured fusiform aneurysms with stable long-term outcome. However, recanalization observed up to 3 years after the initial obliteration emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up angiography.