Increased Venous Thromboembolism in Transdermal Contraceptive Users?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A new study finds a link between the patch and increased incidence of VTE, differing from an earlier finding.
By Robert W. Rebar, MD
February 15, 2007
Covering:
Cole JA et al., Obstet Gynecol 2007 Feb; 109:339-46
Large Observational Study: Thrombolysis Safe in Acute Ischemic Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Alteplase reduced the mortality rate among 6483 stroke patients in 14 European countries.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 13, 2007
Covering:
Wahlgren N et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 27; 369:275-82
The ABCD 2 Score: Stratifying Risk for Stroke After TIA
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The score accurately stratifies patients into groups at high, medium, and low risk.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 13, 2007
Covering:
Johnston SC et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 27; 369:283-92
MRI More Sensitive Than CT for Acute Ischemic Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
MRI was more sensitive than CT for evaluating patients in the emergency department.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 13, 2007
Covering:
Chalela JA et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 27; 369:293-8
Continuous EEG Monitoring in Acute Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Subclinical epileptic activity is common, but what should be done about it?
By Jong Woo Lee, MD, PhD
February 13, 2007
Covering:
Carrera E et al., Neurology 2006 Jul 11; 67:99-104
Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
To determine whether antithrombotic therapy is appropriate, physicians should evaluate patients’ stroke risk, not just their AF classification.
By David Green, MD, PhD
February 12, 2007
Covering:
Glazer NL et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:246-52
Safety of Stenting vs. Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Two trials cast doubt on the safety of carotid stenting, but a final verdict awaits results of ongoing investigations.
By Raul G. Nogueira, MD
February 6, 2007
Covering:
Mas J-L et al for the EVA-3S Investigators., N Engl J Med 2006 Oct 19; 355:1660-71
SPACE Collaborative Group., Lancet 2006 Oct 7; 368:1239-47
rFVIIa Is Cost-Effective for Acute ICH
Neurology Summary and Comment
These data suggest that this treatment may eventually be incorporated into standard care.
By Carlos S. Kase, MD
February 6, 2007
Covering:
Earnshaw SR et al., Stroke 2006 Nov; 37:2751-8
Predicting Ischemic Stroke Risk After a Transient Ischemic Attack
Neurology Summary and Comment
Additional data support the value of the ABCD score for predicting the risk for early stroke.
By Harold P. Adams, Jr., MD
February 6, 2007
Covering:
Tsivgoulis G et al., Stroke 2006 Dec; 37:2892-7
Carotid Endarterectomy and Subsequent Use of Medical Treatments
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Is carotid endarterectomy associated with use of medical treatments and risk factor control in patients with ischemic stroke or TIA?
By Philip B. Gorelick, MD, MPH
January 30, 2007
Covering:
Touzé E et al. for the REACH Registry Investigators., Stroke 2006 Dec; 37:2880-5
Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated with Warfarin
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In one geographic area, an increase in warfarin use was paralleled by a marked increase in warfarin-related ICH.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 23, 2007
Covering:
Flaherty ML et al., Neurology 2007 Jan 9; 68:116-21
Another Trial of Ancrod for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
In a placebo-controlled trial, this snake-venom derivative was administered within 6 hours after onset of stroke symptoms.
By David G. Sherman, MD
January 23, 2007
Covering:
Hennerici MG et al. for the ESTAT Investigators., Lancet 2006 Nov 25; 368:1871-8
50 Years of Data on Stroke
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Stroke incidence has been declining, but not all the news is good.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
January 17, 2007
Covering:
Carandang R et al., JAMA 2006 Dec 27; 296:2939-46
Alzheimer Disease plus Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
The result of this combination exceeds the sum of its parts.
By David A. Drachman, MD
January 16, 2007
Covering:
Gamaldo A et al., Neurology 2006 Oct 24; 67:1363-9
Regan C et al., Neurology 2006 Oct 24; 67:1357-62
Ancrod of No Benefit Within 6 Hours of Ischemic Stroke
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Snake venom turned out to be no better than snake oil.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
January 12, 2007
Covering:
Hennerici MG et al., Lancet 2006 Nov 25; 368:1871-8
Statins Possibly More Cost-Effective Than Initially Thought
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Lifetime use of statins may be cost-effective in an even wider range of people.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
January 9, 2007
Covering:
Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group., BMJ 2006 Dec 2; 333:1145-8
When Are Two Antiplatelet Agents Better Than One?
Clopidogrel appears to be a useful adjunct to aspirin therapy in patients with vascular injury; dipyridamole may be the adjunct of choice in patients with recent stroke or TIA.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
December 28, 2006
Hematoma Growth as a Determinant of Mortality in ICH
Neurology Summary and Comment
Growth in the first 24 hours was independently associated with increased mortality during follow-up.
By Monisha Kumar, MD
December 12, 2006
Covering:
Davis SM et al., Neurology 2006 Apr 25; 66:1175-81
PFO in Migraine vs. in Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
PFO is more common in patients who have migraine with aura than in migraine patients without aura or in young patients with stroke.
By David W. Chen, MD
December 5, 2006
Covering:
Carod-Artal FJ et al., Cephalalgia 2006 Aug; 26:934-9
Subtle Cognitive Deficits in Acute Lacunar Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Evidence supporting follow-up neuropsychological screening
By Aaron Nelson, PhD
November 28, 2006
Covering:
Fure B et al., Acta Neurol Scand 2006 Jul; 114:17-22
Elevated Blood Pressure Not Associated with ICH Expansion
Neurology Summary and Comment
This study contrasts with previous findings, possibly due to differences in study design.
By Monisha Kumar, MD
November 21, 2006
Covering:
Jauch EC et al., Stroke 2006 Aug; 37:2061-5
Lipids and Ischemic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
New evidence links levels of certain blood lipids to ischemic stroke risk.
By Philip A. Wolf, MD
November 14, 2006
Covering:
Bhatia M et al., Cerebrovasc Dis 2006 May; 21:323-8
Amarenco P et al., Cerebrovasc Dis 2006 Jul; 22:101-8
Telomere Length and Post-Stroke Dementia and Death
Neurology Summary and Comment
Telomere length predicts cognitive decline, dementia, and death after stroke.
By Jeffrey A. Switzer, DO
October 31, 2006
Covering:
Martin-Ruiz C et al., Ann Neurol 2006 Aug; 60:174-80
Bleeding Risk with Low-Dose Aspirin and with Clopidogrel
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Risk for bleeding with low-dose aspirin was low in this meta-analysis, which lacked sufficient data to allow conclusions to be drawn about risk for bleeding with clopidogrel versus aspirin.
By Eric Cheng, MD, MS, and Barbara Vickrey, MD, MPH
October 31, 2006
Covering:
McQuaid KR and Laine L., Am J Med 2006 Aug; 119:624-38
PFO, Aortic Plaque, and Stroke: Conflicting Findings or Straw Man?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two studies appear to contradict earlier findings of increased stroke risk with PFO or aortic plaque — but do they really?
By Steven J. Kittner, MD, MPH
October 31, 2006
Covering:
Petty GW et al., Mayo Clin Proc 2006 May; 81:602-8
Petty GW et al., Mayo Clin Proc 2006 May; 81:609-14
