Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyIntra-arterial vasodilator use during endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke might improve reperfusion rate.
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is an evolving field. New treatment options are still needed in order to achieve greater success rates for arterial recanalization. Intra-arterial therapy (lAT) is an option for AIS patients who are not good candidates for intravenous (i.v.) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) or where it has failed. ⋯ Although lAT recanalization and reperfusion rates of large vessel occlusion are much higher than they are for i.v. rt-PA, IAT's radiological efficacy is still far from perfect. Vasodilator use during IAT for AIS may increase the recanalization and reperfusion rates of such therapy. In this report, we describe the radiographic and clinical outcomes in a cohort of AIS patients who received intra-arterial (i.a.) vasodilators during IAT and summarize the role of i.a. vasodilators in the process of recanalization and reperfusion.
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Sep 2012
ReviewTechniques for improving efficiency in the emergency department for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
The past 15 years have witnessed significant strides in the management of acute stroke. The most significant advance, reperfusion therapy, has changed relatively little, but the integrated healthcare systems-stroke systems-established to effectively and safely administer stroke treatments have evolved greatly. Driving change is the understanding that "time is brain." Data are compelling that the likelihood of improvement is directly tied to time of reperfusion. ⋯ The hospital-based systems are comprised of prehospital care providers, emergency department physicians and nurses, stroke team members, and critical ancillary services such as neuroimaging and laboratory. Given their complexity, these systems of care require maintenance. Through teamwork and ownership of the process, more patients will be saved from potential death and long-term disability.
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Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. · Sep 2012
ReviewHow baseline severity affects efficacy and safety outcomes in acute ischemic stroke intervention trials.
Baseline severity of stroke may be an important predictor of efficacy and safety outcomes in acute stroke intervention trials. This summary explores definitions of baseline variables and outcomes used to measure stroke severity, efficacy, and safety. In addition, the discussion here reviews select acute ischemic stroke intravenous thrombolytic studies, such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke rt-PA Stroke Study and European Cooperative Acute Stroke Studies, select neuroprotectant and endovascular clot retrieval device studies, and large cooperative databases, such as the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive and Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry, to explore relationships between baseline stroke severity and other possible factors associated with efficacy and safety outcomes. The NIH Stroke Scale and modified Rankin scale will be featured as major stroke outcome measures, based on frequency of use and reliability, familiarity, adaptability, and comparability.
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Acute ischemic stroke is a time-critical emergency for which thrombolytic therapy is the only medical treatment. Many patients who would benefit from this treatment are deprived of it due to delays. Failure to call for help rapidly is the main obstacle, but even when the call is made in time, the prehospital evaluation, transportation, and emergency department (ED) diagnostics often take too long to treat the patient with thrombolysis. ⋯ The intersection of the pre- and in-hospital care is of special importance. With successful protocols and good communication between the emergency medical service and ED, delays can be significantly reduced. On the basis of our experience, 94% of patients can be treated within 60 min of arrival, based largely on using the prehospital time effectively.
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Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) associated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) complicates and limits its use in stroke. Here, we provide a focused review on the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in rt-PA-associated HT in cerebral ischemia, and we review emerging evidence that the selective inhibitor of the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (Sur1), glibenclamide (U. ⋯ A retrospective clinical study comparing outcomes in diabetic patients with stroke treated with rt-PA showed that those who were previously on and were maintained on a sulfonylurea fared significantly better than those whose diabetes was managed without sulfonylureas. Inhibition of Sur1 with injectable glyburide holds promise for ameliorating rt-PA-associated HT in stroke.