Biomarkers predictive of atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Insights from the Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke (NOR-FIB) study.

Background And Purpose: There are currently no biomarkers to select cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients for monitoring with insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs), the most effective tool for diagnosing atrial fibrillation (AF) in CS. The purpose of this study was to assess clinically available biomarkers as predictors of AF.

Methods: Eligible CS and cryptogenic transient ischaemic attack patients underwent 12-month monitoring with ICMs, clinical follow-up and biomarker sampling.

Occurrence of postdural puncture headache-A randomized controlled trial comparing 22G Sprotte and Quincke.

Objective: To assess the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) using 22-gauge atraumatic needle (Sprotte, 22GS) compared with 22-gauge traumatic needle (Quincke, 22GQ).

Background: Diagnostic lumbar puncture (dLP) is commonly complicated by PDPH. Despite evidence to support the use of 22GS, European neurologists seem to keep using 22GQ.

Room tilt illusion and subclavian steal - a case report.

Background: Room tilt illusion (RTI) is a rare symptom of higher vestibular dysfunction, consisting of a transient vertical rotation of the visual scene in the sagittal or coronal plane, most often 90 or 180, without any alteration in shape, size and color of objects.

Case Presentation: A 63-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease went through an uncomplicated aortobifemoral graft surgery due to aortoiliac occlusive disease. Post-operatively she experienced five episodes, lasting from 10 to 30 min, with RTI; 90 forward rotation of the visual scene in the sagittal plane.

Atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke and transient ischaemic attack - The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke (NOR-FIB) Study: Rationale and design.

Purpose: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is often suspected as a probable cause of cryptogenic stroke. Continuous long-term ECG monitoring using insertable cardiac monitors is a clinically effective technique to screen for atrial fibrillation and superior to conventional follow-up in cryptogenic stroke. However, more studies are needed to identify factors which can help selecting patients with the highest possibility of detecting atrial fibrillation with prolonged rhythm monitoring.