Implementation and Analysis of a Free Water Protocol in Acute Trauma and Stroke Patients.

Background: Free water protocols allow patients who aspirate thin liquids and meet eligibility criteria to have access to water or ice according to specific guidelines. Limited research is available concerning free water protocols in acute care settings.

Objectives: To compare rates of positive clinical outcomes and negative clinical indicators of a free water protocol in the acute care setting and to continue monitoring participants discharged into the hospital system's rehabilitation setting.

Endovascular Thrombectomy for Mild Strokes: How Low Should We Go?

Background and Purpose- Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is effective for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥6. However, EVT benefit for mild deficits large vessel occlusions (NIHSS, <6) is uncertain. We evaluated EVT efficacy and safety in mild strokes with large vessel occlusion.

Critical Event Intervals in Determining Candidacy for Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Stroke.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the optimal set point for the critical event benchmarks described in stroke guidelines and validate the ability of these goals to predict successful administration of intravenous thrombolysis within 60 min of hospital arrival.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis following presentation to the emergency department. The national benchmarks for time intervals associated with the completion of critical events required to determine candidacy for thrombolysis were evaluated for the ability to predict successful administration of thrombolysis within 60 min of hospital arrival.

Successful reperfusion of bilateral middle cerebral artery embolic occlusions using stent retriever thrombectomy.

A 40-year-old woman presented to our stroke center for a left middle cerebral artery embolic occlusion. This was successfully treated with mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever and balloon guide catheter aspiration. The patient was discharged home in good condition on clopidogrel but returned 2 months later with a contralateral right middle cerebral artery embolic occlusion.

Validation of clinical prediction scores in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Initial reports of the FUNC score suggest that it may accurately identify those patients suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with an ultra low chance of functional neurologic recovery. This study's aim is to validate the FUNC score and determine if it accurately identifies the cohort of patients with an ultra low chance of survival with good neurologic recovery.

Methods: Retrospective review of 501 consecutive primary ICH patients admitted from the Emergency Department to a large healthcare system.

Extent of intra-arterial calcification on head CT is predictive of the degree of intracranial atherosclerosis on digital subtraction angiography.

Background: Intracranial intra-arterial calcifications (ICAC) are a common finding on head CT examinations, but their significance is not known. The aim of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between ICAC on head CT and the presence of a high-grade atherosclerotic stenosis on cerebral angiography.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 108 consecutive patients admitted to the stroke service at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Tex.

An echocardiographic-confirmed case of atrial myxoma causing cerebral embolic ischemic stroke: a case report.

A myxoma is the most common primary tumor of the heart. It has been reported as the source of a cardiogenic embolism. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to detect the myxoma early via echocardiography to prevent complications, such as syncope, sudden death, and cerebral embolic ischemic stroke.

Transcranial Doppler: an introduction for primary care physicians.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a diagnostic tool that can be used at bedside to assess the cerebral vasculature noninvasively. It is inexpensive, safe, and reliable when compared with other techniques. It can be repeated multiple times and can be used for continuous monitoring if needed.

Biochemical and stone-risk profiles with topiramate treatment.

Background: Topiramate is a novel neuromodulatory agent commonly prescribed for the treatment of seizure disorders and for migraine headache prophylaxis. Calcium phosphate kidney stones have been observed with topiramate treatment, but a comprehensive elucidation of stone-risk profile was not reported previously. This study explores the relationship between topiramate treatment and propensity for kidney stone formation.