Computerised Tomography and Stroke

1993 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 136-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.P. Cassidy ◽  
S. Lewis ◽  
C.S. Gray

To evaluate the utilisation of CT diagnostic imaging in patients admitted to hospital with a clinical diagnosis of stroke, and to identify factors which influence the use of CT imaging in stroke. Two hundred and fifty consecutive (155 females) stroke patients were assessed median age 76 years (range 39–95y). Ninety-seven patients underwent CT scanning; median time to scanfrom admission was two days (range 0–43). The time to CT scanning was significantly shorter in patients aged <65 years (p<0.001), and in patients with a non-disabling stroke (p<0.05). The factors (odds ratios and 95% confidence limits) significantly associated with CT scanning were male sex (2.21: 1.31–3.74); normal Glasgow coma score (2.48: 1.59–3.85); Rankin score 1 – 3 (6.40: 1.74–23.56); age <65 years (10.23: 4.49–23.32) and no previous cerebrovascular event (1.97: 1.10–3.51). In this study, those patients who would benefit most from medical intervention with antiplatelet agents to reduce the risk of recurrence were more likely to receive CT diagnostic imaging.

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Reid ◽  
M-J MacLeod ◽  
D Williams

Background: We aimed to study the timing of aspirin prescription in ischaemic stroke comparing patients admitted to an acute stroke unit (ASU) directly or via a general medical ward. We also analysed prescription of secondary preventive therapies in stroke patients in an ASU. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made of medical notes and prescription records of 69 patients admitted to an ASU over a three month period to establish timing of aspirin prescription with respect to onset of stroke symptoms, CT brain scan and route of admission to the ASU. Results: CT brain scans were obtained at a median of 2.1 days post stroke (IQ range 1.3–4.3). Patients directly admitted to the ASU received aspirin earlier post admission compared to those admitted via a medical ward (0.7 vs 2.2 days, p<0.01) and were also more likely to receive aspirin prior to CT scan being performed (57% vs 19%, p=0.02). 86% of stroke patients were discharged on an antiplatelet therapy, 79% on a statin, 37% on a thiazide diuretic and 32% on an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II antagonist. Conclusion: Aspirin was given more promptly in acute stroke and more commonly prior to CT scanning in an ASU compared to a medical ward. Statin therapy is used extensively in stroke but there is a much lower rate of initiation of other secondary preventive therapies (e.g. anti-hypertensive therapy) in hospital. These findings demonstrate a hesitancy in early use of aspirin amongst general physicians and lends support for the use of stroke units.


Author(s):  
Kristaps Jurjāns ◽  
Santa Sabeļnikova ◽  
Evija Miglāne ◽  
Baiba Luriņa ◽  
Oskars Kalējs ◽  
...  

Abstract Atrial fibrillation is one of major risk factors of cerebral infarction. The use of oral anticoagulants is the only evidence-based method of reducing the risk of cardioembolic accidents. The guidelines of oral anticoagulant admission and usage have been available since 2012. The results of this study show that of 550 stroke patients that were admitted to Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Rīga, Latvia, from 1 January 2014 until 1 July 2014, atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in 247 (45%) cases, and of these patients, only 8.5% used oral anticoagulants before the onset of stroke. Six months after discharge of 111 (44.9%) stroke survivors, five (4.5%) used no secondary prevention medication, 27 (24.3%) used antiplatelet agents, 54 (48.6%) warfarin, and 25 (22.5%) used target specific oral anticoagulants (TSOACs). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the patient group that used no secondary prevention medication or antiplatelet agents compared to the patient group that used oral anticoagulants. The use of oral anticoagulants for primary stroke prevention in Latvia is insufficient. The mortality of cardioembolic stroke in 180 days is very high - 40.4%. Secondary prevention is essential to prevent recurrent cardioembolic accidents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 2514-2519

Microarray is a fast and rapid growing technology which plays dynamic role in the medical field. It is an advanced than MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT scanning (Computerised Tomography). The purpose of this work is to make fine perfection against the gene expression. In this study the two clustering are used which fuzzy c means and k means and also it classifies with better results. The microarray data base indicates the classification in support vector machine. Segmentation is most important step in microarray image. The classification in support vector machine is compared with other two classifiers which means the k nearest neighbour and with the Bayes classifiers.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Bell ◽  
Lewis Woolnough ◽  
David Mortimore ◽  
Nick Corps ◽  
Diana M. Hudson ◽  
...  

The application of micro-CT scanning techniques on a small sample of “Seven-spot ladybirds”Coccinella septempunctata,collected in December 2009, identified an accumulation of material with a very high, relative X-ray attenuation value in the malpighian tubules of most but not all of the individuals sampled. The passage of metals such as cadmium in soil through a food chain to finally accumulate in high concentrations in ladybirds and lacewings has been previously reported. The identification of the dense material found in our sample of ladybirds, its origin, and the process by which it accumulates in, and is processed by, the malpighian tubules is the challenge ahead. The authors speculate that a straightforward means of monitoring levels of metallic pollutants in the environment might emerge.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Harriott ◽  
Eli Zimmerman ◽  
Aneesh B. Singhal ◽  
Michael R. Jaff ◽  
Mark E. Lindsay ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare noninflammatory, nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy of medium-sized arteries affecting up to 7% of the population. The disease can affect any artery but commonly affects renal, extracranial carotid, and vertebral arteries. The epidemiology and natural course of cerebrovascular FMD is unknown and requires further investigation.Methods:We present demographic and outcomes data on a case series of 81 patients with cerebrovascular FMD from Massachusetts General Hospital presenting between 2011 and 2015 followed by a review of the peer-reviewed literature.Results:Patients were a median age of 53 years (±12 SD) and the majority were women. Approximately 50% had a history of tobacco use and more than two-thirds had hypertension. Most patients were on monoplatelet therapy with aspirin; during follow-up, 7 of 67 had progressive disease or additional symptoms. One of 67 patients had a cerebrovascular event: TIA. There were 5 of 67 who had noncerebrovascular events or disease progression and 1 death of unclear cause.Conclusions:Cerebrovascular FMD may present with myriad symptoms. Our data support that patients with FMD with symptomatic disease have a low rate of recurrent symptoms or disease progression and can be managed conservatively with stroke risk modification, antiplatelet agents, surveillance imaging, and counseling.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazala Basir ◽  
Ashfaq Shuaib ◽  
Affan Tahir ◽  
Kasim Qureshi ◽  
Hasnain Zeeshan ◽  
...  

Background: Since 2010, three novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have been approved and included in the guidelines as alternatives to warfarin for the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Prior to the introduction of NOACs, studies showed that anticoagulation with warfarin in stroke patients with NVAF is suboptimal with as few as 40% anticoagulated and most subtherapeutic. The goal of this study is to examine anticoagulation usage in a contemporary prospective registry of TIA/stroke patients with NVAF and determine whether the introduction of NOACs has increased anticoagulation usage. Methods: This is an ongoing single centre observational study. Consecutive TIA/ischemic stroke admissions (2012-13) to a tertiary hospital in Edmonton, Canada with NVAF were enrolled. Data regarding demographic, clinical, antithrombotic treatment and laboratory parameters were collected in a prospectively maintained database. Those with previously diagnosed NVAF were included in the present analysis (149/181). Clinical characteristics were compared between patients on anticoagulants and those on other/no antithrombotic therapy. Results: The 149 included patients had a mean (SD) age of 78.7 (10.0) years. Male were 52.3% and 86.6% (129) had a preadmission CHADS2 score ≥2. At the time of TIA/stroke, 51% (76/149) were on an anticoagulant, 24.2% (36/149) on antiplatelet agents and 28.4% (37/149) were on no antithrombotic therapy. Of the 76 patients on anticoagulants, 81.6% were on warfarin and the remaining (18.4%) were on a NOAC. Only 31% of patients on warfarin had a therapeutic INR at the time of stroke. Patients not anticoagulated had a similar frequency of prior stroke (21% vs. 23%; p=0.80) but tended to have a lower CHADS2 score (p=0.082) than those anticoagulated. In patients with CHADS≥2, 47% were not on an anticoagulant. Conclusions: Despite therapeutic advances in the treatment of NVAF, anticoagulation usage in TIA/stroke patients with preexisting NVAF remains suboptimal. In this study, only 53% of patients with NVAF and a CHADS≥2 were treated with anticoagulants. This study emphasizes the need for increased efforts to encourage prescribing of oral anticoagulants in high-risk individuals.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie L Strom

Background and Purpose: Stroke treatment is often delayed before patients reach the emergency department (ED). Some patients arrive in time to receive medication that can reverse new stroke symptoms. Some are not as fortunate. They are either admitted to the palliative unit, or discharged only to live with their new disabilities possibly for the rest of their lives. In 2013, nurses observed many long term care (LTC) patients were not getting to the ED in time to receive tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), a medication used to reverse stroke symptoms. The purpose of this process improvement was to increase the number of LTC patients with stroke symptoms arriving in the ED within the tPA window. Methods: To determine how many patients from nursing homes were missing the tPA window, data from the ED’s records was abstracted from the month of June 2013. The sample size was all patients who presented with possible stroke symptoms, and who were also from LTC facilities. Surprisingly, 100% of LTC patients presenting with stroke symptoms missed the tPA window. With the support of ED leadership, we decided to raise awareness about the tPA window in the LTC facilities. No evidence existed from ED’s related to LTC patients and the tPA window. Approximately 1,000 unused stroke pamphlets were collected. A PowerPoint presentation based on AHA guidelines was used. A lecture occurred at the community’s senior services meeting, and many LTC administrators were willing to adopt this education initiative at their facilities. ED staff became involved and helped conduct the in-services. In exchange for their volunteering, they received credit to help with career ladders at their hospital. Results: The number of possible stroke patients from LTC facilities getting to the ED within eight hours of the last time seen normal (LTSN) has increased from 0% in June 2013, to 25% in March 2014. Conclusions: Stroke education teams of ED nurses showed improvement in LTC patients arriving in the ED within the tPA window. In conclusion, it is encouraged that other ED staff volunteer to teach in LTC facilities in their own communities, in assisting their stroke patients as well.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William K Mountford ◽  
Jeff Wagner ◽  
Michelle R Krukas ◽  
Darren Tayama ◽  
Frank R Ernst ◽  
...  

Background: Telestroke networks enable acute stroke patients to receive r-tPA at a remote hospital (ie, spoke) emergency department and are subsequently transferred to another hospital (ie, hub) for additional care - commonly referred to as “drip and ship” (D&S). While hub hospitals do not administer r-tPA in D&S cases, they handle all subsequent care for these patients upon arrival. It is hypothesized that current CMS reimbursement rates do not reflect the higher cost to hospitals that receive D&S patients. Objective: Compare hospital costs and reimbursement rates for Medicare patients with AIS who received r-tPA, did not receive r-tPA, and were treated and sent to hub hospitals. Methods: The study included Medicare-covered patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of AIS (ICD-9 codes 433.x1, 434.x1, 436) admitted between 6/9/2007 and 12/30/2012 from 5 hub hospitals in the Premier research database with telestroke implementation ranging from 10/2009 - 12/2011. Treatment arms were defined as r-tPA (billing data), D&S (ICD-9 =V45.88), or none. Costs were reported from the hospital perspective and compared with CMS reimbursements based on MS-DRG assignment. Median costs were compared using the Wilcoxon ranked sum test. Results: 4122 patients were included in the study, with 84 (2%) receiving r-tPA treatment and 233 (6%) having D&S treatment. Total costs and reimbursement rates are summarized in Table 1. Conclusions: Results from the study demonstrate D&S cases were associated with higher costs than untreated cases, despite not administering r-tPA; however, they were reimbursed similarly. Future reassignment of MS-DRG to these cases may be warranted.


2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Oertel ◽  
Daniel F. Kelly ◽  
David McArthur ◽  
W. John Boscardin ◽  
Thomas C. Glenn ◽  
...  

Object. Progressive intracranial hemorrhage after head injury is often observed on serial computerized tomography (CT) scans but its significance is uncertain. In this study, patients in whom two CT scans were obtained within 24 hours of injury were analyzed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical significance of progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI). Methods. The diagnosis of PHI was determined by comparing the first and second CT scans and was categorized as epidural hematoma (EDH), subdural hematoma (SDH), intraparenchymal contusion or hematoma (IPCH), or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Potential risk factors, the daily mean intracranial pressure (ICP), and cerebral perfusion pressure were analyzed. In a cohort of 142 patients (mean age 34 ± 14 years; median Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8, range 3–15; male/female ratio 4.3:1), the mean time from injury to first CT scan was 2 ± 1.6 hours and between first and second CT scans was 6.9 ± 3.6 hours. A PHI was found in 42.3% of patients overall and in 48.6% of patients who underwent scanning within 2 hours of injury. Of the 60 patients with PHI, 87% underwent their first CT scan within 2 hours of injury and in only one with PHI was the first CT scan obtained more than 6 hours postinjury. The likelihood of PHI for a given lesion was 51% for IPCH, 22% for EDH, 17% for SAH, and 11% for SDH. Of the 46 patients who underwent craniotomy for hematoma evacuation, 24% did so after the second CT scan because of findings of PHI. Logistic regression was used to identify male sex (p = 0.01), older age (p = 0.01), time from injury to first CT scan (p = 0.02), and initial partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (p = 0.02) as the best predictors of PHI. The percentage of patients with mean daily ICP greater than 20 mm Hg was higher in those with PHI compared with those without PHI. The 6-month postinjury outcome was similar in the two patient groups. Conclusions. Early progressive hemorrhage occurs in almost 50% of head-injured patients who undergo CT scanning within 2 hours of injury, it occurs most frequently in cerebral contusions, and it is associated with ICP elevations. Male sex, older age, time from injury to first CT scan, and PTT appear to be key determinants of PHI. Early repeated CT scanning is indicated in patients with nonsurgically treated hemorrhage revealed on the first CT scan.


2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Tanislav ◽  
Peter Kropp ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Martin Holzhausen ◽  
Franz Fazekas ◽  
...  

Background: Although post-stroke depression is widely recognized, less is known about depressive symptoms in the acute stage of stroke and especially in young stroke patients. We thus investigated depressive symptoms and their determinants in such a cohort. Methods: The Stroke in Young Fabry Patients study (sifap1) prospectively recruited a large multinational European cohort (n = 5,023) of patients with a cerebrovascular event aged 18-55. For assessing clinically relevant depressive symptoms (CRDS, defined by a BDI-score ≥18) the self-reporting Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was obtained on inclusion in the study. Associations with baseline parameters, stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS), and brain MRI findings were analyzed. Results: From the 2007 patients with BDI documentation, 202 (10.1%) had CRDS. CRDS were observed more frequently in women (12.6 vs. 8.2% in men, p < 0.001). Patients with CRDS more often had arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia than patients without CRDS (hypertension: 58.0 vs. 47.1%, p = 0.017; diabetes mellitus: 17.9 vs. 8.9%, p < 0.001; hyperlipidemia: 40.5 vs. 32.3%, p = 0.012). In the subgroup of patients with ischemic stroke or TIA (n = 1,832) no significant associations between CRDS and cerebral MRI findings such as the presence of acute infarcts (68.1 vs. 65.8%, p = 0.666), old infarctions (63.4 vs. 62.1%, p = 0.725) or white matter hyper-intensities (51.6 vs. 53.7%, p = 0.520) were found. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were present in 10.1% of young stroke patients in the acute phase, and were related to risk factors but not to imaging findings.


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