Browse Stroke Articles by Topic

Blood GFAP Measurements for Rapid Diagnosis of ICH

The early diagnosis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is important to initiate rapid interventions, such as lowering blood pressure and reversing the effects of antithrombotic medications. Plasma assays of glial fibrillary acidic protein may become a useful tool for the prehospital diagnosis of ICH, but it needs further study before adoption in the clinical setting.

TIA Is Associated with Accelerated Cognitive Decline

The study investigators looked at data from a prospective study of 30,239 Black and white community-dwelling persons aged 45 years or older with cognitive evaluations over the phone every other year until 2022. The researchers documented patients who had transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, and demonstrated that persons who had TIA had a cognitive decline trajectory similar to those patients who had a definite diagnosis of stroke.

Stroke Risk in Patients with New AFib During Unrelated Hospitalization

In a Canadian administrative database study of patients who developed atrial fibrillation during a hospitalization for other reasons, researchers followed the patients for one year to ascertain the risk of subsequent stroke. The incidence of stroke in those not anticoagulated generally was below the 2% per year threshold recommended for treatment with anticoagulants. However, in those with a CHA₂DS₂-VA score ≥ 5 (sex not included based on new data) and in those admitted for cardiac medical problems, the 95% confidence intervals of stroke risk did cross 2%. Thus, selected patients may be candidates for anticoagulation.

TIA Is Associated with Accelerated Cognitive Decline

The study investigators looked at data from a prospective study of 30,239 Black and white community-dwelling persons aged 45 years or older with cognitive evaluations over the phone every other year until 2022. The researchers documented patients who had transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, and demonstrated that persons who had TIA had a cognitive decline trajectory similar to those patients who had a definite diagnosis of stroke.

Routine Use of Cerebral Embolic Protection Experiences a Resounding Blow in BHF PROTECT-TAVI

In this randomized, multicenter trial involving more than 7,600 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, routine use of a cerebral embolic protection device did not reduce the incidence of early post-procedure stroke.

Stroke 2025 Is Here!

Stroke 2025: Optimizing Outcomes with Clinical Approaches provides evidence-based, cutting edge, clinical information on treating stroke and other neurological problems in a concise, accurate, and clinically relevant format. Written and edited by leading experts in the fields of neurology and emergency medicine, Stroke 2025 is an unbiased resource for any physician or nurse working in an emergency department or stroke center. Healthcare providers can earn all of the Joint Commission-required stroke credits at one time through this electronic publication.

Should Thrombolytic Drugs Be Added to Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke?

Two recent trials from China studied the effect of post-thrombectomy, intra-arterial thrombolysis on neurological outcomes. One study used tenecteplase and the other used urokinase. Both studies showed a trend toward improvement that was not statistically significant, and there was an increase in brain hemorrhage. The benefit of adjunctive thrombolysis with mechanical thrombectomy is uncertain and requires more study.

ABCD² Score as a Predictor of Three-Year Stroke Risk

This retrospective cohort study using the National Patient Registry in Denmark analyzed a three-year follow-up period following a transient ischemic attack, looking at the rate of recurrent stroke and mortality. The patients were divided into low risk (ABCD² score 0-3) and high risk (ABCD² score ≥ 4). The stroke rate was 6% in the high-risk group and 4% in the low-risk group.

ABCD² Score as a Predictor of Three-Year Stroke Risk

This retrospective cohort study using the National Patient Registry in Denmark analyzed a three-year follow-up period following a transient ischemic attack, looking at the rate of recurrent stroke and mortality. The patients were divided into low risk (ABCD² score 0-3) and high risk (ABCD2 score ≥ 4). The stroke rate was 6% in the high-risk group and 4% in the low-risk group.

Intravenous Tenecteplase for Stroke After 4.5 Hours Does Not Improve Outcome

Standard therapy for acute ischemic stroke is intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 hours from onset of symptoms. Alteplase has been the standard medication, but in recent years, tenecteplase has supplanted alteplase because of its ease of administration as a single intravenous bolus and lower cost.