Articles Tagged With:
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Basilar Artery Occlusion: Endovascular Thrombectomy and Medical Therapy Have Similar Outcomes
Basilar artery occlusion is a rare form of ischemic stroke and accounts for about 10% of large vessel occlusions reported in the literature. These investigators conducted a randomized trial, enrolling patients from 2011 through 2019, even though multiple studies published in 2015 demonstrated benefit of endovascular therapy in anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. Efficacy and safety were compared with medical therapy in patients who underwent endovascular therapy within six hours after the estimated time of onset of symptoms.
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Telestroke Consultation Increases Rate of Thrombolysis and Reduces Mortality
Real-time video conferencing between the patient, a remotely located stroke specialist, and the bedside healthcare provider in a hospital emergency department is referred to as “telestroke.” However, there are little data comparing its benefit with in-person evaluation and treatment for hospitals that do not have in-hospital stroke specialists 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
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Intensive Lowering of Blood Pressure Does Not Affect the Progression of Small Vessel Disease
Small vessel disease of the brain accounts for 20% to 25% of all ischemic strokes and is a common cause of vascular cognitive impairments. The major risk factor for small vessel disease is hypertension. Targeting a systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg to 125 mmHg has been recommended, but this has not been confirmed as effective in preventing stroke or long-term cognitive impairment in these patients.
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Pregnancy-Associated Stroke Is Increasing in Frequency
Stroke during pregnancy or the puerperium is a rare event but accounts for a considerable part of maternal morbidity and mortality. The incidence has been increasing in all countries, particularly in wealthy industrialized countries, where pregnancy is being delayed considerably and other cardiovascular risk factors have taken on greater importance.
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Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis
This retrospective study of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis or progressive multiple sclerosis showed efficacy in relapse rate reduction and on magnetic resonance imaging and disability outcomes during a median post-transplant follow-up of about two years. There were risks, including death, associated with the treatment.
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Diagnostic Utility of CSF Alpha-Synuclein
This observational study investigated whether the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-synuclein (α-syn) real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, applied to 289 CSF samples, accurately identified patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) caused by probable Lewy body (LB) disease. RT-QuIC identified patients with MCI-LB against cognitively unimpaired controls with 95% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and 96% accuracy and showed 98% specificity in neuropathologic controls, indicating that CSF α-syn RT-QuIC is a robust biomarker for prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Surgical Approaches to Decompression in Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
A multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial of people with symptomatic lumbar stenosis and single-level spondylolisthesis who were refractory to conservative treatment found no significant difference between outcomes in those who underwent decompression surgery with instrumented fusion vs. decompression surgery without fusion.
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CDC Pledges Massive Investment in Infection Control and Prevention
Outlay to boost current battles against COVID-19 pandemic and prepare the healthcare industry to protect against future threats.
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Report: U.S. Hospitals Could Sustain $54 Billion Net Income Loss for 2021
Higher expenses, fewer outpatient visits, and sicker patients have put many healthcare facilities in the red.
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Best Practices for Managing Denials
When denials occur, case managers should create a plan to investigate and manage each one to determine why the claim was denied and how they can help. Using this approach, some managers have uncovered trends and root causes that can prevent future denials. It is critical for case managers to hone this skill for the benefit of the patient and the hospital.