Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke performance indicators in patients with transient ischemic attack / Indicadores de desempenho do programa "Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke" em pacientes com ataque isquêmico transitório

ABSTRACT Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting adherence to scientific guidelines. Of the patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), 10-15% have a stroke within three months, and many patients do not receive the recommended interventions to prevent this outcome. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the adherence to stroke quality indicators in patients with TIA. Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluated consecutive patients admitted to a primary stroke center with TIA or acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from August 2008 to December 2013. Six quality indicators applicable to both TIA and AIS were analyzed and compared between groups. Results: A total of 357 patients with TIA and 787 patients with AIS were evaluated. Antithrombotic medication use within 48 hours of admission, discharge use of anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and counseling for smoking cessation were similar between groups. In the TIA group, discharge use of antithrombotic medication (95% versus 98%; p = 0.01), lipid-lowering treatment (57.7% versus 64.1%; p < 0.01) and stroke education (56.5% versus 74.5%; p < 0.01) were all less frequently observed compared with patients with AIS. Conclusions: The adherence to some of the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke quality indicators was lower in patients with TIA than in patients with AIS. Measures should be undertaken to reinforce the importance of such clinical interventions in patients with TIA.

RESUMO O "Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke (GWTG-S)" é um programa hospitalar criado para melhorar os cuidados em pacientes com AVC ao promover a adesão às diretrizes. Dez a quinze porcento dos pacientes com ataque isquêmico transitório terão um AVC em 3 meses, sendo que muitos não recebem intervenções de prevenção secundária recomendadas. Objetivo: Avaliar a adesão aos indicadores de qualidade do programa GWTG em pacientes com ataque isquêmico transitório. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo observacional avaliou pacientes consecutivos admitidos em um centro de AVC com suspeita de ataque isquêmico transitório ou AVC isquêmico agudo de agosto/2008 a dezembro/2013. Seis indicadores de qualidade aplicáveis tanto ao ataque isquêmico transitório quanto ao AVC isquêmico agudo foram analisados e comparados entre os grupos. Resultados: Um total de 357 pacientes com ataque isquêmico transitório e 787 pacientes com AVC isquêmico agudo foram avaliados. O uso de antiagregante dentro das primeiras 48 horas da admissão, liberação na alta com anticoagulante para fibrilação atrial e aconselhamento para cessação do tabagismo foram similares entre os grupos. No grupo com ataque isquêmico transitório, o uso de antiagregante na alta hospitalar, o tratamento com estatina e a educação sobre o AVC foram observados menos frequentemente quando comparados ao grupo de pacientes com AVC isquêmico agudo. Conclusões: A adesão a alguns dos indicadores de qualidade do programa GWTG-S foi mais baixa em pacientes com ataque isquêmico transitório quando compara a pacientes com AVC isquêmico agudo. Medidas devem ser tomadas para reforçar a importância dessas intervenções em pacientes admitidos com ataque isquêmico transitório.

Accidentes isquémicos transitorios: diagnóstico, etiología y manejo / The transient ischemic attacks: diagnosis, etiology and management

Las crisis o accidentes isquémicos transitorios cerebrales (AIT) han debido evolucionar desde una definición puramente clínica y temporal, a una basada en el compromiso del tejido cerebral, en especial porque las imágenes de difusión por resonancia nuclear magnética cerebral (dRNM), han permitido identificar AIT clínicamente típicas, con infartos cerebrales subyacentes, lo que ha llevado al concepto de AIT con infarto. Las AIT pueden ser producidas por diferentes mecanismos y existen varios tipos etiológicos, principalmente las por bajo flujo en grandes arterias, las embólicas y las de vasos penetrantes (lacunares), todo lo cual tiene implicancias terapéuticas. El diagnóstico y estudio urgente de las AIT es vital, siendo recomendado su hospitalización dentro de las 48 horas, lo cual permitirá un mejor y adecuado tratamiento. La antiagregación plaquetaria sigue siendo el pilar fundamental en el manejo de las AIT no cardioembólicas.

The transient ischemic attacks (TIA) had evolved from a purely clinical and temporary definition, to one based on brain tissue effects, especially because the diffusion-weighted images on nuclear magnetic cerebral resonance (DWI), has allowed to identify typical TIA, with cerebral underlying infarct, which has led to concept TIA with infarct. The AIT can be produced by different mechanisms and several etiologies, mainly TIA by large artery low flow, the embolic type and small-penetrating vessels (lacunar), all which has therapeutic implications. The early diagnosis and urgent study of the TIA are very important, being recommended TIA must hospitalized within the first 48 hours, what will allow a better and suitable treatment. The therapy antiplatelet continues as the mainstay in the treatment of the TIA noncardioembolic.

Trombolisis intravenosa con rtPA en el Stroke Isquémico Agudo. Eficacia y seguridad del programa instalado en el Hospital Universitario de la Fundación Favaloro / Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in the acute ischemic stroke

The study of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) proved that the use of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) within the first 3 hours since the beginning of the symptomatology of the acute ischemis stroke (AIS) is as well safe as effective...These preliminary data reported in our study show that a strict protocol of thrombolysis IV with rtPA in AIS is feasible to be carried on with good results in a high complexity Center.

Transient ischaemic attacks due to a pulsating mass in the neck produced after incision and drainage of parapharyngal abscess

Carotid endarterectomy is the most commonly performed vascular surgical procedure. One of the complications of carotid endarterectomy is Pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery frequently managed by endo-vascular technique. Pseudoaneurysm caused by other aetiological factors is rare entity. Penetrating trauma and neck surgery are known but very rare causes of pseudo aneurysm of the carotid artery. We have successfully managed a case of carotid artery pseudoaneurysm caused by incision and drainage of parapharyngeal abscess. This surgery also leads to the palsy of right vagus nerve causing complete hoarseness of voice. The patient presented with Transit Ischaemic Attacks [TIA] and amurosis fugos. Resection of aneurysm and reconstruction of right carotid artery lead to complete recovery. Vocal cord palsy was managed by Vox implant injection leading to full recovery

Neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia in the temporary brain ischemia in cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia during temporary focal ischemia in cats. METHOD: 20 cats underwent middle cerebral artery 60 minutes occlusion and 24 hours reperfusion: 10 under normothermia and 10 under mild hypothermia (32° C). Brain coronal sections 2mm thick were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium hydrochloride, photographed and evaluated with software for volume calculation. RESULTS:Cortical ischemia was found in 7 and basal ganglia ischemia in 8 animals of group 1 and in both regions in 5 animals of group 2 (no difference: p=0.6499 for cortical; p=0.3498 for basal ganglia). No ischemia was found in 5 animals of group 2 and in none of group 1 (significant difference, p=0.0325). The infarct volume was greater in group 1 than 2 (p=0.0433). CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia did not interfere with location of ischemia, but it was effective for reducing the infarct volume.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito neuroprotetor da hipotermia leve na isquemia cerebral focal temporária em gatos. MÉTODO: Oclusão da artéria cerebral média durante 60 minutos e 24 horas de reperfusão em 10 gatos sob normotermia e 10 sob hipotermia leve (32° C). Secções cerebrais coronais de 2 mm coradas com 2,3,5-cloreto de trifeniltetrazolio, fotografadas e cálculos volumétricos (hemisférios/áreas isquêmicas) com programa específico. RESULTADOS: Isquemia cortical em 7 e nos gânglios da base em 8 animais do grupo 1 e em ambas as regiões em 5 animais do grupo 2 (sem diferença: p=0,6499 cortical; p=0,3498 gânglios da base). Cinco animais do grupo 2 e nenhum do grupo 1 não apresentaram isquemia (diferença significante, p=0,0325). O volume do infarto foi maior no grupo 1 (p=0,0433). CONCLUSÃO: Hipotermia leve não interferiu com a localização da isquemia mas foi eficaz para reduzir o volume do infarto.

Evaluación y manejo del paciente con accidente isquémico transitorio / Evaluation and management of patients with transitory ischemic accident

El manejo de los pacientes con accidente isquémico transitorio (AIT) en los servicios de urgencia es muy variable, en algunas instituciones todos los pacientes son admitidos al hospital para su evaluación y tratamiento, y en otras se recomienda efectuar la evaluación en el ámbito ambulatorio. Definir el pronóstico a corto plazo y los factores de riesgo para desarrollar un accidente vascular encefálico después de un episodio de AIT nos permite identificar a los grupos de riesgo que necesitan ser admitidos al hospital porque requieren monitorización y evaluación inmediata. En la última década, el manejo de los pacientes con AIT ha sufrido cambios significativos que los médicos de los servicios de urgencia deben conocer e incorporar en sus protocolos de atención. En esta revisión se han actualizado algunos conceptos sobre tópicos específicos relacionados con el manejo de urgencia de pacientes con AIT: 1) La definición de AIT ha sido modificada, 2) Criterios diagnósticos de AIT, 3) Evaluación diagnóstica y tratamiento recomendado para el paciente con AIT, 4) Evaluación de los factores de riesgo que permiten orientar el lugar de manejo y el estudio de los enfermos. Para ilustrar el problema, se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente que consultó en el servicio de urgencia por síntomas neurológicos transitorios que no estaban presentes en el momento de la consulta.

Management of patients with acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) varies widely, with some institutions admitting all patients and others proceeding with outpatient evaluations. Defining the short-term prognosis and risk factors for stroke after TIA may provide guidance in determining which patients need rapid evaluation. In the past few years, the approach to patients with transient ischemic attacks has undergone a transformation. To care for these patients, emergency physicians must understand these changes. They must be comfortable with the diagnosis and treatment of transient ischemic attacks in their emergency department. To this end, we ask and answer the following important questions in this up-to-date review of transient ischemic attacks: 1) How is a transient ischemic attack defined?, 2) Does this patient have a transient ischemic attack?, 3) Once diagnosed, what diagnostic evaluation should be done (and when)?, 4) What treatment should be instituted (and when)? and 5) What is the correct disposition? We submit a case report of a patient who presented to the emergency physician completely asymptomatic with complaints of transient neurologic symptoms.

Isquemia cerebral transitoria y riesgo de infarto cerebral isquémico / Transitory cerebral isquemia and risk of cerebral ischemic stroke

La enfermedad vascular cerebral es la principal causa de hospitalización neurológica en el mundo. Costa Rica no es la excepción; en nuestros hospitales cada día es más frecuente el número de pacientes que ingresan con infartos cerebrales isquémicos. Esta común enfermedad obedece a la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas con la hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemias, tabaquismo y la alta expectativa de vida de los costarricenses, todos considera dos factores de riesgo. Aproximadamente un 80 por ciento de los infartos cerebrales son isquémicos secundarios a la oclusión arterial aguda de un territorio vascular específico, el restante 20 por ciento corresponde a la variante hemorrágica. Las secuelas neurológicas secudarias a esta entidad son la principal causa de discapacidad crónica en los pacientes y conlleva una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Aunque muchos sufren el infarto cerebral isquémico en forma aguda, otro grupo de pacientes experimenta uno o varios episodios previos de isquemia cerebral transitoria, lo cual los pone en riesgo de sufrir un infarto cerebral isquémico durante un periodo corto, es decir son pacientes vulnerables. Esta revisión pretende actualizar los conocimientos médicos, especialmente para aquellos que trabajan en la atención primaria y en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarias, que reconozcan a este grupo de pacientes y les brinden la atención médica necesaria para de prevenir un infarto cerebral isquémico. La isquemia cerebral transitoria debe ser considerada como una emergencia neurológica. Descriptores: Isquemia cerebral transitoria, emergencia neurológica, infarto cerebral isquémico.

Percutaneous carotid stenting: a novel treatment for carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is currently a leading cause of physical disability and carries a high mortality rate. About 20% of ischemic stroke is caused by carotid artery stenosis. Carotid stenting is now another therapeutic modality for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients who underwent carotid stenting at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from March 2001 to December 2002 were analyzed. The case success was determined by residual angiographic stenosis of less than 30% without any major adverse cardiovascular events such as death, stroke or emergency re-intervention. RESULTS: Carotid stenting was performed in 6 patients with 9 vessels disease. Their mean age was 71.8 years. Hypertension was the most common risk factor detected in all patients, followed by smoking (83.3%), dyslipidemia (83.3%) and diabetes (33.3%). One third of the patients had a prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and 16.6% occurred within 6 months. Five of six (83.3%) had severe coronary disease and required coronary artery bypass grafting after successful carotid stenting. The procedures were successful in all patients. The average percent of stenosis was reduced from 83.2% to 9.4%. The distal protection device was used in one-third of the cases. The average procedure time was 63.6 minutes and fluoroscopic time was 16.6 minutes. There was no evidence of stroke or death after the procedures. Only one (11.1%) developed hypotension and bradycardia that required intravenous fluid loading and inotropic support for 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Carotid stenting at our center is feasible and considered to be a safe procedure for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis. This procedure is another alternative treatment and may be superior to carotid endarterectomy, the standard treatment of carotid artery stenosis.

Valoración y tratamiento de la isquemia cerebral transitoria y del déficit neurológico isquémico menor

La elucidación del mecanismo patogénico específico responsable de un cuadro de isquemia cerebral transitoria o de déficit neurológico isquémico menor permite por lo general predecir el riesgo subsiguiente de accidente cerebrovascular con mayor certidumbre que la pura y simple descripción de inumerables detalles sobre la presentación clínica del evento.

Enfermedad cerebral vascular. Ataque isquémico transitorio / Vascular brain disease. Transient ischemis attacks

En el espectro de la enfermedad cerebral vascular el ataque isquémico transitorio constituye una alteración de particular importancia dado que con un adecuado tratamiento es posible prevenir el desarrollo posterior de formas mas graves de enfermedad cerebral vascular. En este artículo el autor revisa la fisiopatología, los factores de riesgo, la presentación clínica y los métodos de diagnóstico en el accidente isquémico transitorio con énfasis en la prevención del desarrollo ulterior de alteraciones neurológicas irreversibles como consecuencia de compromiso mayor por enfermedad cerebral vascular. Igualmente recuerda la necesidad de estudiar a otros pacientes desde el punto de vista cardiováscular debido a la elevada frecuencia con la que se encuentra concomitantemente enfermedad cerebral vascular y enfermedad cardiovascular (especialmente enfermedad coronaria) dado que comparten los mismos factores de riesgo.

Estudio clínico de los accidentes cerebro-vasculares en 111 pacientes (Hospital General de Guatire-Guarenas 1986-1990) / Clinical study of the cerebrovascular diseases in 111 patients (Hospital General of Guatire-Guarena 1986-1990)

Se hizo una revisión retrospectiva de 111 casos de ACV en el período de 1986-1990, en el Hospital General de Guatire-Guarenas. Se revisaron los accidentes patológicos, factores de riesgo, características clínicas, estudios neuroradiólogos, tratamiento y evolución en todos los casos. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron la influencia de la edad, HTA, hábitos alcohólicos y tabaquicos como factores predisponentes, así como, la aparición de signos de focalización en la mayoría de los casos estudiados, el tratamiento de los pacientes incluyó múltiples drogas: Calciantagonistas, antiagregantes, anticonvulsivantes, antihipertensivos y otras de reciente aparición como la Nimodipina

Manejo con nimodipina del vasoespasmo cerebral secundario a hemorragia subaracnoidea por ruptura de aneurisma intracraneano / Management with nimodipine of the cerebral vasoespasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of an intracraneal aneurysm

El vasoespasmo cerebral secundario a hemorragia subaracnoidea por ruptura de aneurisma intracraneano es causa de alta morbimortalidad. Su fisiopatogenia es aún desconocida por lo que en el tratamiento y prevención se obtienen resultados controversiales. Estudiamos dos grupos de 29 pacientes cada uno, donde el primero se manejo con nimodipina sistémica y el segundo sirvió de grupo control. No observamos una correlación sistemática entre el vasoespasmo clínico o sintomático y el angiográfico. No hubo diferencia en los resultados finales de ambos grupos. No se presentaron efectos colaterales en otros órganos con el uso de este fármaco