Acid-suppressive medications and risk of pneumonia in acute stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Goal: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to clarify the relationship between acid-suppressive medication (ASM) and the risk of pneumonia in acute stroke.

Methods: The included studies examined patients with an acute ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke, assessed the relationship of one or both groups of ASM, histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), as a variable of interest, and used the occurrence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) as an outcome measure. The search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar.

Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging Decreases Hospital Length of Stay in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Imaging modalities are important part of stroke evaluation. Noncontrast head computed tomography (CT) is the initial imaging modality in acute stroke and although important to rule out acute hemorrhage and making a decision on thrombolytic treatment, ischemic changes may not be visible on CT for up to 24 hours. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain is an invaluable tool to confirm an ischemic stroke and facilitates stroke evaluation.

Differential MicroRibonucleic Acid Expression in Cardioembolic Stroke.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small, endogenous (17-25 nucleotide) noncoding ribonucleic acids implicated in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. This study examines stroke-specific miRNA expression in large vessel territory cardioembolic stroke.

Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from controls and ischemic stroke patients 24 hours after stroke onset.

Cerebral small vessel disease burden and functional and radiographic outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective: To examine the effect of individual cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers and cumulative CSVD burden on functional independence, ambulation and hematoma expansion in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from an observational study of consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH, brain MRI within 1 month from ictus, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2, available imaging data and 90-day functional status in a tertiary academic center. Functional outcomes included 90-day functional independence (mRS ≤ 2) and independent ambulation; radiographic outcome was hematoma expansion (> 12.

High Mortality among 30-Day Readmission after Stroke: Predictors and Etiologies of Readmission.

Background: Although some risk factors for stroke readmission have been reported, the mortality risk is unclear. We sought to evaluate etiologies and predictors of 30-day readmissions and determine the associated mortality risk.

Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study evaluating 1,544 patients admitted for stroke (hemorrhagic, ischemic, or TIA) from January 2013 to December 2014.

Use of research biopsies in clinical trials: are risks and benefits adequately discussed?

Purpose: Although the incorporation of research biopsies into clinical trials is increasing, limited information is available about how study protocols and informed consents integrate and describe their use.

Methods: All therapeutic clinical trials in which image-guided research biopsies were performed from January 1, 2005, to October 1, 2010, were identified from an interventional radiology database. Data from study protocols and informed consents were extracted and analyzed.