Statistical analysis plan for the multicenter, open, randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous tirofiban vs aspirin in acute ischemic stroke due to tandem lesion, undergoing recanalization therapy by endovascular treatment (ATILA trial).

Rationale: In-stent reocclusion after endovascular therapy has a negative impact on outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tandem lesions (TL). Optimal antiplatelet therapy approach in these patients to avoid in-stent reocclusion is yet to be elucidated.

Aims: To assess efficacy and safety of intravenous tirofiban versus intravenous aspirin in patients undergoing MT plus carotid stenting in the setting of AIS due to TL.

Safety and efficacy of tirofiban in acute ischemic stroke due to tandem lesions undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: A multicenter randomized clinical trial (ATILA) protocol.

Background: In-stent thrombosis after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) worsen outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tandem lesions (TL). Although an optimal antiplatelet therapy is needed, the best approach to avoid in-stent thrombosis is yet to be elucidated.

Hypothesis: Low-dose intravenous tirofiban is superior to intravenous aspirin in avoiding in-stent thrombosis in patients undergoing MT plus carotid stenting in the setting of AIS due to TL.

The psychological impact on frontline nurses in Spain of caring for people with COVID-19.

Aim: To understand the perceptions of National Health System nurses who have been working on the frontline of the psychological impact of caring for people with COVID-19 during the first and second waves.

Methods: A qualitative study, the design and analysis of which was based on phenomenology. For data collection, a semi-structured interview was administered to a sample of nurses who worked on the frontline in public hospitals in Extremadura and Madrid, Spain.

Location of recurrent cardiovascular events and anticardiolipin antibodies.

Background: The relationship between anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and cardiovascular events is uncertain and may vary according to arterial location.

Materials And Methods: FRENA is an ongoing registry of stable outpatients with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). The rate of subsequent ischaemic events was cross-referenced with the presence of aCL antibodies (any isotype, IgG or IgM).

Slump in Hospital Admissions for Stroke, a Fact of an Uncertain Nature That Requires Explanation.

(1) Background: The impact of the health crisis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has provoked collateral effects in the attention to pathologies with time-dependent treatments such as strokes. We compare the healthcare activity of two stroke units in the same periods of 2019 and 2020, with an emphasis on what happened during the state of alarm (SA). (2) Materials and methods.

Mask-associated 'de novo' headache in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed care activities of health professionals. We analysed the possible association between the appearance of 'de novo' headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors and the impact of the cephalalgia on health professionals.

Methods: Cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain.

Progression of carotid near-occlusion to complete occlusion: related factors and clinical implications.

Background: The clinical consequences and factors related to the progression from a carotid near-occlusion (CNO) to a complete occlusion are not well established. Our aim is to describe the rate, predictive factors and clinical implications of the progression to complete carotid occlusion (PCCO) in a population of patients with symptomatic CNO.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, nationwide, prospective study from January 2010 to May 2016.

Clinical Predictors of Hyperperfusion Syndrome Following Carotid Stenting: Results From a National Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objectives: The aim of the HISPANIAS (HyperperfusIon Syndrome Post-carotid ANgIoplasty And Stenting) study was to define CHS rates and develop a clinical predictive model for cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Background: CHS is a severe complication following CAS. The presence of clinical manifestations is estimated on the basis of retrospective reviews and is still uncertain.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Fatigue After Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke.

Background: Studies suggest that fatigue and cognitive impairment may be present after transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke, but little is known about consequences in daily life. The main aim was to explore the presence of fatigue, cognitive impairment, and consequences in daily life after minor stroke-TIA.

Methods: Patients (n = 92) were consecutively recruited from the Stroke Unit and were assessed within 2 weeks of hospital admission for first-ever and 3 months later.

Early risk of recurrent stroke in patients with symptomatic carotid near-occlusion: Results from CAOS, a multicenter registry study.

Background The risk of recurrent stroke among patients with symptomatic carotid near-occlusion is not well established, and management of the condition remains controversial. Symptomatic carotid near-occlusion with full collapse has been identified as a strong predictor of early recurrence. We aimed to analyze the 90-day risk of recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke in medically treated patients with symptomatic carotid near-occlusion.

Satisfaction, quality of life and perception of patients regarding burdens and benefits of vitamin K antagonists compared with direct oral anticoagulants in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Aim: To compare the satisfaction of patients treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) with that of patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and to determine the impact on quality of life of both treatments in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods: Cross-sectional multicenter study in which outpatients with NVAF completed the ACTS (Anti-Clot Treatment Scale), SAT-Q (Satisfaction Questionnaire) and EQ-5D-3L (EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire, 3 level version) questionnaires.

Results: The study population comprised 1337 patients, of whom 587 were taking DOACs and 750 VKAs.

Functional Status and Disability in Patients After Acute Stroke: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Stroke is a major public health problem.

Objective: To use the Barthel Index to evaluate basic activities of daily living in stroke survivors and detect any predictors of functional outcome at 6 months after stroke.

Methods: In an observational longitudinal study, data were gathered on consecutive patients admitted to the comprehensive stroke unit at Hospital San Pedro de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain.

Knowledge of stroke a study from a sex perspective.

Background: Public health is increasingly concerned with recognising factors that lead to sex differences in stroke. We conducted a study to determine the effect of sex on knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs, and how both are perceived, in a representative sample of adults.

Methods: A representative sample of the population of Extremadura, Spain was selected using a double randomisation technique.

[Detection of an intrapulmonary shunt in patients with liver cirrhosis through contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler. A study of prevalence, pattern characterization, and diagnostic validity].

Introduction: Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) are considered a complication of cirrhosis. The technique of choice for their diagnosis is contrast-enhanced echocardiography (CEE). The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (CETD) in the diagnosis of IPVD.

Stroke Awareness Is Worse among the Old and Poorly Educated: A Population-Based Survey.

Background: This article surveys a representative sample of adults to assess their knowledge of stroke, its vascular risk factors and warning symptoms, illness perception, and attitude toward strokes.

Methods: A representative sample of the region population was selected using a double randomization design. Previously trained medical students carried out face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions.

Association of vascular factors and amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a comprehensive approach.

Background And Objective: Current evidence shows that numerous classic vascular risk factors (VRF) contribute to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but the effects of emerging VRFs are less well-known. Using a comprehensive approach, we assessed the frequency and strength of association between MCI and classic VRFs, subclinical markers of atherosclerosis (cystatin C, lipoprotein(a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and intima-media thickness) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH).

Methods: In this case-control study of consecutive MCI patients and cognitively normal controls, subjects underwent clinical and neuropsychological examinations, laboratory analyses, a carotid duplex scan, and a brain magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Determinants of Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors After 6 Months, from a Comprehensive Stroke Unit: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: In the social model of stroke, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is the result of interplay among stroke severity, social support, and health-promoting behaviors. Our objective was to identify determinants of HRQoL in stroke survivors.

Methods: Ischemic stroke patients were evaluated at 6 months with the Short Form 12 Health Survey, including physical component survey (PCS) and mental health component survey (MCS) summary scores.

Charlson comorbidity index in ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage as predictor of mortality and functional outcome after 6 months.

Background: The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is commonly used in outcome and mortality studies. Our aim was to investigate the association between CCI score and the functional outcome and mortality 6 months after ischemic stroke (IS) or intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and IS admitted to the stroke unit during 18 months.

Recurrent transient ischaemic attack and early risk of stroke: data from the PROMAPA study.

Background: Many guidelines recommend urgent intervention for patients with two or more transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) within 7 days (multiple TIAs) to reduce the early risk of stroke.

Objective: To determine whether all patients with multiple TIAs have the same high early risk of stroke.

Methods: Between April 2008 and December 2009, we included 1255 consecutive patients with a TIA from 30 Spanish stroke centres (PROMAPA study).

[Acquired brain injury: a proposal for its definition, diagnostic criteria and classification].

Acquired brain injury is a heterogeneous clinical concept that goes beyond the limits of the classical medical view, which tends to define processes and diseases on the grounds of a single causation. Although in the medical literature it appears fundamentally associated to traumatic brain injury, there are many other causes and management is similar in all of them, during the post-acute and chronic phases, as regards the measures to be taken concerning rehabilitation and attention to dependence. Yet, despite being an important health issue, today we do not have a set of diagnostic criteria or a classification for this condition.