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Query: UMLS:C0038454 (stroke)
 147,016 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Perioperative fluid therapy is the subject of much controversy, and the results of the clinical trials investigating the effect of fluid therapy on outcome of surgery seem contradictory. The aim of this chapter is to review the evidence behind current standard fluid therapy, and to critically analyse the trials examining the effect of fluid therapy on outcome of surgery. The following conclusions are reached: current standard fluid therapy is not at all evidence-based; the evaporative loss from the abdominal cavity is highly overestimated; the non-anatomical third space loss is based on flawed methodology and most probably does not exist; the fluid volume accumulated in traumatized tissue is very small; and volume preloading of neuroaxial blockade is not effective and may cause postoperative fluid overload. The trials of 'goal-directed fluid therapy' aiming at maximal stroke volume and the trials of 'restricted intravenous fluid therapy' are also critically evaluated. The difference in results may be caused by a lax attitude towards 'standard fluid therapy' in the trials of goal-directed fluid therapy, resulting in the testing of various 'standard fluid regimens' versus 'even more fluid'. Without evidence of the existence of a non-anatomical third space loss and ineffectiveness of preloading of neuroaxial blockade, 'restricted intravenous fluid therapy' is not 'restricted', but rather avoids fluid overload by replacing only the fluid actually lost during surgery. The trials of different fluid volumes administered during outpatient surgery confirm that replacement of fluid lost improves outcome. Based on current evidence, the principles of 'restricted intravenous fluid therapy' are recommended: fluid lost should be replaced and fluid overload should be avoided.
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2006 Jun
PMID:Fluid therapy for the surgical patient. 1685 Jul 77

Atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery is an important cause of stroke. Several large randomised trials have compared best medical management with carotid endarterectomy and provide a strong evidence base for advising and selecting patients for carotid surgery. Best medical management of carotid stenosis includes lowering of blood pressure, treatment with statins and antiplatelet therapy in symptomatic patients. Combined analysis of the symptomatic carotid surgery trials, together with observational data, has shown that patients with recently symptomatic severe carotid stenosis have a very high risk of recurrent stroke in the first few days and weeks after symptoms. Carotid endarterectomy has a risk of causing stroke or death at the time of surgery in symptomatic patients of around 5-7%, but in patients with recently symptomatic stenosis of more than 70%, the benefits of endarterectomy outweigh the risks. In patients with moderate stenosis of between 50 and 69%, the benefits may justify surgery in patients with very recent symptoms, and in patients older than 75 years within a few months of symptoms. Patients with less than 50% stenosis do not benefit from surgery. In asymptomatic patients, or those whose symptoms occurred more than 6 months ago, the benefits of surgery are considerably less. Patients with asymptomatic stenosis treated medically only have a small risk of future stroke when treated medically of about 2% per annum. If carotid endarterectomy can be performed safely with a perioperative stroke and death rate of no more than 3%, then the randomised trials showed a significant benefit of surgery over 5 years follow-up, with an overall reduction in the risk of stroke from about 11% over 5 years down to 6%. However, of 100 patients operated, only 5 will benefit from avoiding a stroke over 5 years. The majority of neurologists have concluded that this does not justify a policy of routine screening and endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenosis. Patients known to have asymptomatic stenosis should be advised of the risks and benefits. The trials provide justification for surgery at centres with a proven low complication rate, in asymptomatic patients prepared to take a small immediate risk in exchange for a small longer term benefit. Those that opt for medical management alone should be advised to seek urgent medical attention should they become symptomatic in the future.
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PMID:The evidence for medicine versus surgery for carotid stenosis. 1692 Mar 13

To determine the effectiveness of training programs that focus on lower-limb strengthening, cardiorespiratory fitness, or gait-oriented tasks in improving gait, gait-related activities, and health-related quality of life after stroke. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for in the databases of Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, DARE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), EMBASE, Database of the Dutch Institute of Allied Health Care, and CINAHL. Databases were systematically searched by two independent researchers. The following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) participants were people with stroke, older than 18 yrs; (2) one of the outcomes focused on gait-related activities; (3) the studies evaluated the effectiveness of therapy programs focusing on lower-limb strengthening, cardiorespiratory fitness, or gait-oriented training; and (4) the study was published in English, German, or Dutch. Studies were collected up to November 2005, and their methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Studies were pooled and summarized effect sizes were calculated. Best-evidence synthesis was applied if pooling was impossible. Twenty-one RCTs were included, of which five focused on lower-limb strengthening, two on cardiorespiratory fitness training (e.g., cycling exercises), and 14 on gait-oriented training. Median PEDro score was 7. Meta-analysis showed a significant medium effect of gait-oriented training interventions on both gait speed and walking distance, whereas a small, nonsignificant effect size was found on balance. Cardiorespiratory fitness programs had a nonsignificant medium effect size on gait speed. No significant effects were found for programs targeting lower-limb strengthening. In the best-evidence synthesis, strong evidence was found to support cardiorespiratory training for stair-climbing performance. Although functional mobility was positively affected, no evidence was found that activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, or health-related quality of life were significantly affected by gait-oriented training. This review shows that gait-oriented training is effective in improving walking competency after stroke.
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PMID:Effects of exercise training programs on walking competency after stroke: a systematic review. 1730 62

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by a wide variability in clinical manifestations. Recommendations for therapy are conditioned by the lack of appropriate studies, due either to methodological limitations or excessive selection of patients. There is consensus in treating patients with APS and first venous thrombosis with warfarin to a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.3-3.0. However, a recent systematic review including observational studies found patients with APS and stroke to be at a high risk of recurrent events. We thus recommend a target INR>3.0 in this group. Likewise, the optimal approach for women with obstetric manifestations of APS is not completely defined; some authors recommend universal aspirin plus heparin whereas others consider aspirin in monotherapy useful for women with recurrent early miscarriage only. Correction of vascular risk factors and a high-risk management of pregnancy, including Doppler studies of the uterine and umbilical vessels, are warranted. Hydroxychloroquine and statins are likely to become important in the future.
Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2007 Dec
PMID:The treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome: a harmonic contrast. 1806 63

Intracranial pressure (ICP) is the pressure exerted by cranial contents on the dural envelope. It comprises the partial pressures of brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Normal intracranial pressure is somewhere below 10 mmHg; it may increase as a result of traumatic brain injury, stroke, neoplasm, Reye's syndrome, hepatic coma, or other pathologies. When ICP increases above 20 mmHg it may damage neurons and jeopardize cerebral perfusion. If such a condition persists, treatment is indicated. Control of ICP requires measurement, which can only be performed invasively. Standard techniques include direct ventricular manometry or measurement in the parenchyma with electronic or fiberoptic devices. Displaying the time course of pressure (high-resolution ICP tonoscopy) allows assessment of the validity of the signal and identification of specific pathological findings, such as A-, B- and C-waves. When ICP is pathologically elevated--at or above 20-25 mmHg--it needs to be lowered. A range of treatment modalities is available and should be applied with consideration of the underlying cause. When intracranial hypertension is caused by hematoma, contusion, tumor, hygroma, hydrocephalus or pneumatocephalus, surgical treatment is indicated. In the absence of a surgically treatable condition, ICP may be controlled by correcting the patient's position, temperature, ventilation or hemodynamics. If intracranial hypertension persists, drainage of CSF via external drainage is most effective. Other first-tier options include induced hypocapnea (hyperventilation; paCO2 < 35 mmHg), hyperosmolar therapy (mannitol, hypertonic saline) and induced arterial hypertension (CPP concept). When autoregulation of cerebral blood flow is compromised, hyperoncotic treatment aimed at reducing vasogenic edema and intracranial blood volume may be applied. When intracranial hypertension persists, second-tier treatments may be indicated. These include 'forced hyperventilation' (paCO2 < 25 mmHg), barbiturate coma or experimental protocols such as tris buffer, indomethacin or induced hypothermia. The last resort is emergent bilateral decompressive craniectomy; once taken into consideration, it should be performed without undue delay.
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2007 Dec
PMID:Prevention and treatment of intracranial hypertension. 1828 35

Each year more than 50,000 Canadians experience a stroke and more than 300,000 currently live with its effects. Despite the evidence supporting best practices in stroke care, significant gaps in translating this knowledge into action remains in Canada. An interdisciplinary working group of the Canadian Stroke Strategy was formed to develop best-practice recommendations relevant to Canadian health care. The working group used a rigorous process to develop the guidelines, which included reviewing existing stroke recommendations and research literature, and consulting a national interprofessional consensus panel. The Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care consist of 24 recommendations based on the strongest evidence and address topics that span the full continuum of stroke care. Implementation and dissemination of these recommendations is in progress. Bringing about change will require political will and collaboration throughout the health care system.
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PMID:Toward a more effective approach to stroke: Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care. 1849 Jun 36

Hazleton General Hospital (HGH) was 1 of 2 rural area community hospitals selected to participate in Accelerating Best Care in Pennsylvania, a demonstration project conducted by Baylor University and Jefferson Medical College. This paper describes how a project team from HGH succeeded in learning and applying a rapid-cycle QI methodology that was developed for a large, academic health care system. The 5 projects undertaken for the demonstration included: heart failure discharge instructions, surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, care of the stroke patient, pneumonia care-administering antibiotic within 4 hours, and pneumococcal vaccine administration. The project teams achieved 100% compliance by the end of the initial measurement period. The program boosted QI at HGH and has been instrumental in the facility's continued performance improvement on CMS core measures.
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PMID:Accelerating Best Care in Pennsylvania: the Hazleton General Hospital experience. 1865 98

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has profound effects on the cardiovascular system, with plausible biological mechanisms explaining both the benefits and harm. Benefits may result from oestrogen action on metabolic risk factors, such as lipids, glucose and insulin metabolism, as well as direct arterial effects, reducing atherogenesis. Harm may arise from inappropriately high starting doses causing transient increases in coagulation activation and adverse vascular remodelling. Observational studies of HRT suggest that there is a beneficial effect on the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). Any benefit of HRT seen in randomized clinical trials appears to be confined to those women within several years of their menopause, and it is clear from the randomized trials that age at initiation is a crucially important consideration. Women initiating HRT within 10 years of menopause onset may achieve cardiovascular benefit, particularly in terms of primary CHD prevention, whilst avoiding risks of stroke and venous thrombo-embolism.
Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2009 Feb
PMID:HRT and cardiovascular disease. 1909

The aim of this study was to perform fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with triggering of the fetal heart beat in utero in a sheep model. All experimental protocols were reviewed and the usage of ewes and fetuses was approved by the local animal protection authorities. Images of the hearts of six pregnant ewes were obtained by using a 1.5-T MR system (Philips Medical Systems, Best, Netherlands). The fetuses were chronically instrumented with a carotid catheter to measure the fetal heart frequency for the cardiac triggering. Pulse wave triggered, breath-hold cine-MRI with steady-state free precession (SSFP) was achieved in short axis, two-, four- and three-chamber views. The left ventricular volume and thus the function were measured from the short axis. The fetal heart frequencies ranged between 130 and 160 bpm. The mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves could be clearly observed. The foramen ovale could be visualized. Myocardial contraction was shown in cine sequences. The average blood volume at the end systole was 3.4 + or - 0.2 ml (+ or - SD). The average volume at end diastole was 5.2 + or - 0.2 ml; thus the stroke volumes of the left ventricle in the systole were between 1.7 and 1.9 ml with ejection fractions of 38.6% and 39%, respectively. The pulse wave triggered cardiac MRI of the fetal heart allowed evaluation of anatomical structures and functional information. This feasibility study demonstrates the applicability of MRI for future evaluation of fetuses with complex congenital heart defects, once a noninvasive method has been developed to perform fetal cardiac triggering.
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PMID:High resolution MR imaging of the fetal heart with cardiac triggering: a feasibility study in the sheep fetus. 1943 Jul 96

Better assessment of the association between cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in older men may help identify shared etiologies for bone and heart health in this population. We assessed the association of BMD and bone turnover markers (BTMs) with risk of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction or stroke) in 744 men >or=50 yr of age. During the 7.5-yr prospective follow-up, 43 strokes and 40 myocardial infarctions occurred in 79 men. After adjustment for confounders (age, weight, height, smoking, education, physical activity, self-reported history of diabetes, hypertension, and prevalent ischemic heart disease), men in the lowest quartile of BMD at the spine, whole body, and forearm had a 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular events. Men in the highest quartile of bone resorption markers (deoxypyridinoline [DPD], C-telopeptide of type I collagen) had a 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [including additional adjustment for BMD] was 2.11 [95% CI: 1.26-3.56], for the highest quartile of free DPD relative to the lowest three quartiles). The results were similar for men without prevalent ischemic heart disease and for myocardial infarction and stroke analyzed separately. Our data suggest that men with low BMD or high bone resorption may be at increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in addition to fracture. Thus, men with osteoporosis may benefit from screening for cardiovascular disease. Further study to elucidate the biological mechanism shared by bone and vascular disease may help efforts to identify men at risk or develop treatment.
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PMID:Increased bone resorption is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in men: the MINOS study. 1945 64


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