Stroke
Age no bar to clot-busters for stroke
|
|
Although elderly stroke patients have a greater risk of dying following treatment with the commonly used clot-buster called tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), age is not an independent predictor of outcome, Swiss researchers report in Neurology.
Commenting on the findings, Dr. J. Claude Hemphill III, co-author of an editorial in the medical journal, told Reuters Health, tPA “should not be withheld from acute stroke patients just because they are very old.”
Stenting of the carotid artery significantly improves cognitive speed
|
|
Stenting of the carotid artery significantly improves cognitive speed and may improve memory function in some patients, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
“To my knowledge this is the first study combining neuropsychological testing and perfusion imaging that screens for silent ischemic stroke events that can occur during stenting,” said Iris Q. Grunwald, M.D., consultant at Saarland University Clinic in Homburg, Germany.
Blood tests may help predict stroke
|
|
Testing for high blood levels of two proteins involved in inflammation—Lp-PLA2 and CRP—may help identify people who are at increased risk for stroke, new research suggests.
Ultimately, measuring these proteins could help guide preventative strategies or they may even serve as targets for new drugs, according to the report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
People with Heart Failure at Significant Increase for Death from Stroke
|
|
People with heart failure are twice as likely to die from a stroke as the general population, new research at Mayo Clinic has found. This research will be presented today at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2005 in Dallas.
A random sample of 630 patients with heart failure was identified over a 20-year period, from 1979 through 1999, in this community-based study. Stroke risk in heart failure was compared with the risk in the general population using standard morbidity ratios. In the 30 days following a heart failure diagnosis, patients were at a 17-fold increased risk of stroke compared with the general population, and the risk remained elevated during the five years of follow-up.
Plavix inferior to standard drug in stroke study
|
|
A blood clot preventer sold by Bristol-Myers Squibb Corp. and Sanofi-Aventis was inferior to the most commonly used blood thinner for the prevention of stroke in patients with irregular heart rhythm, according to a study presented on Monday.
The study, which was co-sponsored by the drugmakers, was halted early by independent safety monitors who saw an unacceptably high incidence of stroke and other heart risks in the Plavix (clopidogrel) group compared to those taking the standard oral anticoagulant, warfarin.
Cord Blood Cells May Widen Treatment Window for Stroke
|
|
An experimental treatment that spares disability from acute stroke may be delivered much later than the current three-hour treatment standard – a potential advance needed to benefit more stroke victims.
Researchers at the University of South Florida found that human umbilical cord blood cells administered to rats two days following a stroke greatly curbed the brain’s inflammatory response, reducing the size of the stroke and resulting in greatly improved recovery. The rats’ inflammatory response to injury from stroke peaked 48 hours after the brain attack, which was when intravenous delivery of the cells appeared most beneficial.
Vitamin strategy may curb risk of second stroke
|
|
A high-dose vitamin supplement may help reduce the risk of a second stroke, as well as death and cardiac events, according to a study published in the journal Stroke this month. The supplement consisted of vitamins B9 (folate), B6, and B12, which are known to reduce blood levels of homocysteine—an amino acid linked to heart disease.
In a previous report from the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention (VISP) study group, the combined vitamin therapy did not reduce recurrent stroke and cardiac events, but it turned out that the trial included patients who were not likely to benefit from the treatment.
Investigational Diabetes Drug Linked to Increased Risk of Death, Strokes and Heart Attacks
|
|
Researchers here said today that the use of the investigational diabetes drug Pargluva (muraglitazar) doubles the risk of death, heart attack and stroke, and they asked the FDA to delay approval of the drug.
In an analysis that was released online by the Journal of the American Medical Association, Steven E. Nissen, M.D., and colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic said the FDA should not approve Pargluva until its cardiovascular safety can be proven in “a dedicated cardiovascular events trial.”
Surviving Childhood Hodgkin’s Increases Stroke Risk Sharply
|
|
Surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma in childhood quadruples the risk of a stroke later in life, researchers here say.
Investigators had expected to see an increased risk of a second cancer or heart failure, but stroke was unexpected, said David Bowers, M.D., of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center here. “We were surprised,” he said.
Internet helps speed stroke therapy in rural areas
|
|
An internet-based network that allows doctors in rural hospitals to consult a stroke expert in real-time can hasten the delivery of clot-busting drugs to treat stroke patients, new research indicates.
With the network, known as REACH, doctors at eight rural hospitals in Georgia were able to immediately consult a stroke expert at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). The system, which incorporates a video feed, allows the consultant to examine the patient and view the CT scan and then decide if treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is needed.
