Cerebrovascular disease as a complication of cardiac transplantation.

Background And Objectives: To characterize the frequency, risk factors, clinical presentation and etiological subtypes of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) following cardiac transplantation (CTX).

Methods: In a retrospective review of our CTX database (period 1984-2002), we assessed demographic data, vascular risk factors, surgery and donor details. We classified ischemic stroke (IS) using the clinical criteria of the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project and the etiological criteria of the TOAST study.

Benefits of a prehospital stroke code system. Feasibility and efficacy in the first year of clinical practice in Barcelona, Spain.

Background And Objectives: Hospital admission delay is a main limiting factor for effective thrombolytic therapy in stroke patients. We developed a stroke code system for rapid request of emergency transportation to the hospital and a priority availability of the attending neurologist on the patient's arrival at the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: Over a 1-year period, a 24-hour telephone hotline between the attending neurologist and the Barcelona public emergency coordination service was established.

White matter alterations associated with chromosomal disorders.

White matter alterations in chromosomal disorders have been reported mainly in 18q-syndrome. Our aim was to evaluate white matter alterations in patients with chromosomal abnormalities detected through conventional cytogenetic techniques. Forty-four patients with chromosomal abnormalities, excluding trisomy 21, were diagnosed in our hospital between May 1999 and December 2002 (24 males, 20 females; mean age 6 years 4 months [SD 3 years 2 months], range 0 to 18 years).