Cerebrovascular diseases
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Brain stimulation techniques provide a powerful means to modulate the function of specific neural structures, and show potential for future applications in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Recent studies have started to translate to the bedside the body of data gathered over the last few years on mechanisms underlying brain plasticity and stroke recovery. ⋯ Nonetheless, we are still at an early stage in the field and further evidence is needed to assess the clinical impact of this new approach. In this review, we provide readers with a basic introduction to the field, summarize preliminary studies and discuss future directions.
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Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA)is a new biological marker of ischemia. Previous studies have found increased serum IMA levels after myocardial ischemia, but no study has investigated the possibility that stroke modifies IMA blood levels. ⋯ IMA blood levels may be a biomarker for early identification of acute stroke. Further studies are required to investigate the role of IMA in the early detection of acute stroke.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyDevelopment of a conversion factor to facilitate comparison of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores with Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores.
The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) are commonly used in clinical stroke trials. Use of different scales in trials makes comparison of outcomes difficult. ⋯ A total of 144 patients were included (46% males, mean age = 73 years). At presentation the median SSS score was 38 (2-58), and a week later 40 (4-58), the median NIHSS score at presentation was 5 (0-29) and a week later 3 (0-27). Changes in both scales were strongly correlated, r = 0.76, p < 0.001. Both were good predictors of mortality. Linear regression analysis produced an equation relating the two: SSS = 50 - 2 x NIHSS.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyAnatomic variations in the circle of Willis in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis assessed with multidetector row CT angiography.
To assess the presence of anterior and posterior collateral pathways in the circle of Willis in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (SCAS) and to compare this to patients without carotid artery stenosis. ⋯ A compromised anterior collateral pathway, usually combined with a compromised posterior pathway, occurs more frequently in patients with SCAS as compared to controls, which suggests a relation between symptomatic carotid stenosis and an incomplete circle of Willis.
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyTrends in risk factors, patterns and causes in hospitalized strokes over 25 years: The Lausanne Stroke Registry.
The Lausanne Stroke Registry includes, from 1979, all patients admitted to the department of Neurology of the Lausanne University Hospital with the diagnosis of first clinical stroke. Using the Lausanne Stroke Registry, we aimed to determine trends in risk factors, causes, localization and inhospital mortality over 25 years in hospitalized stroke patients. ⋯ This study shows major trends in the characteristics of stroke patients admitted to a department of neurology over a 25-year time span, which may result from referral biases, development of acute stroke management and possibly from the evolution of cerebrovascular risk factors.