Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
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Historical Article
Trends in Active Cigarette Smoking Among Stroke Survivors in the United States, 1999 to 2018.
Background and Purpose- Patients who continue to smoke after a stroke face a higher risk of recurrent stroke. While several effective drugs for smoking cessation became available over the past 2 decades, whether active smoking has decreased among stroke survivors is unknown. We, therefore, evaluated trends in active smoking among stroke survivors during this period. ⋯ In contrast, there was no decrease in smoking among stroke survivors in NHANES (odds ratio, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.93-1.07]) or BRFSS (odds ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98-1.004]). Results were consistent in secondary analysis using biochemical ascertainment of active smoking in NHANES and in sensitivity analyses accounting for potential demographic changes in stroke epidemiology. Conclusions- In contrast to the general population, the prevalence of active smoking among stroke survivors has not decreased during the past 2 decades.
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Background and Purpose- Hyperacute assessment and management of patients with stroke, termed code stroke, is a time-sensitive and high-stakes clinical scenario. In the context of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the ability to deliver timely and efficacious care must be balanced with the risk of infectious exposure to the clinical team. Furthermore, rapid and effective stroke care remains paramount to achieve maximal functional recovery for those needing admission and to triage care appropriately for those who may be presenting with neurological symptoms but have an alternative diagnosis. ⋯ We outline the specifics of personal protective equipment use and considerations thereof including aspects of crisis resource management impacting team role designation and human performance factors during a protected code stroke. Conclusions- We introduce the concept of a protected code stroke during a pandemic, as in the case of COVID-19, and provide a framework for key considerations including screening, personal protective equipment, and crisis resource management. These considerations and suggested algorithms can be utilized and adapted for local practice.
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Multicenter Study
Regional Variation in Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke in Alberta Emergency Departments.
Background and Purpose- Multiple studies have shown the 90-day risk of stroke following an emergency department (ED) diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is significant, with the greatest risk of recurrence being within the first 24 to 48 hours following initial symptom onset. This study explored regional differences in ED disposition, neuroimaging, and subsequent 90-day stroke risk of patients diagnosed with TIA or minor stroke in Alberta. Methods- We used administrative databases to identify ED visits, neuroimaging, and 90-day return visits for TIA or minor stroke in Alberta from April 2011 to March 2016 among adults ≥20 years of age and stratified them based on regions of presentation (Edmonton, Calgary, or nonmajor urban). ⋯ All 3 regions had a similar number of ED visits for TIA/minor stroke; however, on index ED visit, Calgary had a higher proportion of computed tomographic angiography imaging (48.8%; P<0.0001) compared with Edmonton (6.7%) and nonmajor urban region (5.7%) and higher proportion of discharged patients (83%; P<0.0001) compared with Edmonton (77.7%) and nonmajor urban region (73.5%). The risk of admission for stroke within 90 days of discharge after index ED visit for TIA/minor stroke in Calgary (3.4%) was lower than Edmonton (4.5%) and the nonmajor urban region (4.6%; P=0.002). Conclusions- This study demonstrates regional variation in computed tomographic angiography for neurovascular imaging of patients presenting to the ED for TIA/minor stroke and a possible association with frequency of index visit admission and 90-day readmission for the same problem.
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Background and Purpose- Distribution patterns of iron deposition in deep gray matter and their association with clinical characteristics in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate iron deposition in deep gray matter in patients with CADASIL using 7.0-T susceptibility-weighted imaging and mapping and to explore its correlations with clinical characteristics. Methods- Thirty-nine patients with CADASIL, confirmed via genetic analysis or skin biopsy, were enrolled. ⋯ Moreover, the susceptibility of thalamus positively correlated with modified Rankin Scale scores after adjusting for age and disease duration and that of putamen negatively correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination scores in patients with CADASIL after adjusting for age. Conclusions- Our findings indicate an association between abnormal iron deposition in deep gray matter of patients with CADASIL and their clinical characteristics. Therefore, excess iron deposition in deep gray matter, as indicated by 7.0-T susceptibility-weighted imaging and mapping, might not only be a novel magnetic resonance imaging feature but also a potential biomarker for CADASIL severity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Potential Embolic Sources and Outcomes in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source in the NAVIGATE-ESUS Trial.
Background and Purpose- Emboli in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) may originate from various potential embolic sources (PES), some of which may respond better to anticoagulation, whereas others to antiplatelets. We analyzed whether rivaroxaban is associated with reduction of recurrent stroke compared with aspirin in patients with ESUS across different PES and by number of PES. Methods- We assessed the presence/absence of each PES (atrial cardiopathy, atrial fibrillation, arterial atherosclerosis, left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac valvulopathy, patent foramen ovale, cancer) in NAVIGATE-ESUS (New Approach Rivaroxaban Inhibition of Factor Xa in a Global Trial Versus ASA to Prevent Embolism in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source) participants. ⋯ Conclusions- A large proportion of patients with ESUS had multiple PES which could explain the neutral results of NAVIGATE-ESUS. Recurrence rates between rivaroxaban- and aspirin-assigned patients were similar across the spectrum of PES. Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02313909.