Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Bleeding during treatment with aspirin versus apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation unsuitable for warfarin: the apixaban versus acetylsalicylic acid to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation patients who have failed or are unsuitable for vitamin K antagonist treatment (AVERROES) trial.
Apixaban reduces stroke with comparable bleeding risks when compared with aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for vitamin k antagonist therapy. This analysis explores patterns of bleeding and defines bleeding risks based on stroke risk with apixaban and aspirin. ⋯ Anatomic sites and predictors of bleeding are similar for apixaban and aspirin in these patients. Higher CHADS2 scores are associated with increasing rates of bleeding and stroke, but the balance between risks and benefits of apixaban compared with aspirin is favorable irrespective of baseline stroke risk. Clinical Trial Registration Information- www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT 00496769.
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Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a recognized contributor to unfavorable outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recent data challenge the concept of vasospasm as the sole cause of ischemia and suggest a multifactorial process with dysfunctional cerebral autoregulation as a component. We tested the hypothesis that early autoregulatory failure, detected using near-infrared spectroscopy-based index, TOxa and transcranial Doppler-based index, Sxa, can predict DCI. ⋯ Disturbed autoregulation in the first 5 days after SAH significantly increases the risk of DCI. Autoregulatory disturbances can be detected using near-infrared spectroscopy and transcranial Doppler technologies.
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Minorities in the United States have less access to healthcare system resources, especially preventative treatments. We sought to determine whether racial and sex disparities existed in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. ⋯ When compared with patients undergoing treatment for SAH, patients undergoing surgical and endovascular treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysm are generally from higher socioeconomic strata and are more likely to be insured, women, and white. Future studies are needed to determine the underlying causes and solutions for this disparity.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Nonvitamin-K-antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
To assess whether the combined analysis of all phase III trials of nonvitamin-K-antagonist (non-VKA) oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack shows a significant difference in efficacy or safety compared with warfarin. ⋯ In the context of the significant limitations of combining the results of disparate trials of different agents, non-VKAs seem to be associated with a significant reduction in rates of stroke or systemic embolism, hemorrhagic stroke, and major bleeding when compared with warfarin in patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Antihypertensive treatment prolongs tissue plasminogen activator door-to-treatment time: secondary analysis of the INSTINCT trial.
Identifying modifiable tissue plasminogen activator treatment delays may improve stroke outcomes. We hypothesized that prethrombolytic antihypertensive treatment (AHT) may prolong door-to-treatment time (DTT). ⋯ Prethrombolytic AHT is associated with modest delays in DTT. This represents a potential target for quality-improvement initiatives. Further research evaluating optimum prethrombolytic hypertension management is warranted.