Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · May 2014
Atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation detection in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Studies about continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring in detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in Asian patients with acute ischemic stroke are very limited. We looked for the prevalence and associated factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) and PAF in Thai patients with acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ AF/PAF was one of the common causes of ischemic stroke in Thai patients. Most PAF was detected by continuous ECG monitoring. Snapshot 12-lead ECG and continuous ECG monitoring should be recommended in all patients with acute ischemic stroke.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · May 2014
Case ReportsA rare cause of embolic stroke in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
A 57-year-old male patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia presented with an acute right middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke. Investigations revealed a right middle cerebral artery M2 occlusion, hypoxemia, and a large pulmonary arteriovenous malformation and right lower limb deep venous thrombosis. Closure of the pulmonary arteriovenous malformation was successfully performed with an Amplatzer device. Catheter closure of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a recognized treatment modality to prevent recurrent ischemic stroke and other embolic and hemorrhagic complications.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · May 2014
Tracheostomy after severe ischemic stroke: a population-based study.
Stroke can result in varying degrees of respiratory failure. Some patients require tracheostomy in order to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation, long-term airway protection, or a combination of the two. Little is known about the rate and predictors of this outcome in patients with severe stroke. We aim to determine the rate of tracheostomy after severe ischemic stroke. ⋯ Tracheostomy is common after decompressive craniectomy and is strongly associated with the development of pneumonia. Given its impact on patient function and potentially modifiable associated factors, tracheostomy may warrant further study as an important patient-centered outcome among patients with stroke.
-
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · May 2014
Stroke education program of act FAST for junior high school students and their parents.
We produced a stroke education program using the FAST (facial droop, arm weakness, speech disturbance, time to call an ambulance) mnemonic. ⋯ Our stroke education program improved stroke knowledge, especially the FAST message, for junior high school students and their parents.
-
An association between marijuana use and stroke has been previously reported. However, the health risks of newer synthetic cannabinoid compounds are less well known. We describe 2 cases that introduce a previously unreported association between synthetic cannabis use and ischemic stroke in young adults. ⋯ Both women were found to have acute, large-territory infarctions of the right middle cerebral artery. Our 2 cases had risk factors for ischemic stroke but were otherwise young and healthy and the onset of their deficits occurred within hours after first-time exposure to synthetic cannabis. Synthetic cannabis use is an important consideration in the investigation of stroke in young adults.