Impact of Extent of Investigation on Causes of Ischemic Stroke in The Young: A Retrospective Evaluation.

Background: Despite enormous advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke over the past decades, the extent of "standard" investigation to define its causes is heterogeneous. Young patients often undergo a myriad of diagnostic tests in developed countries, but the cost-effectiveness of this approach is uncertain. Objectives: Our main goal was to compare the frequencies of ischemic stroke of undetermined and determined etiologies in young patients with "complete" or "incomplete" investigation according to either a stepwise or an extensive protocol. Methods: Data from 143 young patients with ischemic stroke were reviewed. For each patient, available data were assessed by means of a stepwise and an extensive protocol of investigation. We compared the frequencies of ischemic stroke of undetermined and determined etiology according to "complete" or "incomplete" investigation according to each protocol. Results: Completeness of investigation led to a significant increase in determination of stroke etiology when a stepwise approach but not an extensive protocol was applied. Conclusions: These results suggest that ordering an extensive workup to all young patients does not enhance the capability of determining causes of ischemic stroke. Evidence-based guidelines to define pathways of investigation and consensus about the interpretation of tests are deeply needed.

Outcomes of acute basilar artery occlusion-real-world experience in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to describe outcomes in a single-center, real-world series of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion in a middle-income country. In addition, we assessed potential outcome predictors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 28 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was death until last follow-up. Other outcomes were rates of favorable outcome until last follow-up and rates of intracranial hemorrhage. Outcomes were compared in subgroups according to several variables, including reperfusion (REP group) or no reperfusion (NOREP group) interventions, with chi-squared, Fisher's exact test, or Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The rate of overall intrahospital death was 46%. Death until last follow-up occurred in 8/17 (47%) in the REP and in 7/11 (63%) of the NOREP group. Favorable outcomes were observed in 35.7% of the patients: 8/17 (47%) in REP and in 2/11 (18.1%) in NOREP. NIH stroke scale scores were significantly lower in patients with favorable outcomes. Intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 6/28 (21.4%) of the patients (all in REP group). Twenty patients were treated with anticoagulants within the first 24 h. No hemorrhage was observed in those treated with enoxaparin, while three occurred in subjects treated with unfractionated heparin. CONCLUSION: Together with other series, our results underscore the relevance of NIH stroke scale at admission as a prognostic marker, the importance of reperfusion to improve outcomes, and the need of clinical trials to compare the impact of treatment with anticoagulants within first 24 h in basilar artery occlusion.

Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: A Focused Review of Evidence and Gaps.

Approximately one third of epilepsy patients do not become seizure free with antiseizure medications. This treatment gap motivates research for new therapeutic options, such as cannabidiol (CBD). CBD differs from other cannabis derivatives because of its consistent efficacy and lack of a psychoactive effect. CBD can be recommended as adjunctive therapy in patients with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. The most common adverse effects (AEs) are drowsiness, reduced appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Transaminase elevation is the most common AE that leads to CBD discontinuation. Coadministration with valproate may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity. The combination of CBD and clobazam may increase both the effectiveness and the risk of AEs associated with these drugs. The most striking gaps in knowledge are the efficacy and optimal dose of CBD for adults with focal epilepsies, the long-term safety of CBD use, and strategies to improve access to CBD for people living with epilepsy.