Antithrombotic Treatment of Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: RE-SPECT ESUS Elderly and Renally Impaired Subgroups.

Background and Purpose- The RE-SPECT ESUS trial (Randomized, Double-Blind, Evaluation in Secondary Stroke Prevention Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Thrombin Inhibitor Dabigatran Etexilate Versus Acetylsalicylic Acid in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source) tested the hypothesis that dabigatran would be superior to aspirin for the prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. This exploratory subgroup analysis investigates the impact of age, renal function (both predefined), and dabigatran dose (post hoc) on the rates of recurrent stroke and major bleeding. Methods- RE-SPECT ESUS was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial of dabigatran 150 or 110 mg (for patients aged ≥75 years and/or with creatinine clearance 30 to <50 mL/minute) twice daily compared with aspirin 100 mg once daily.

Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke after a Reversal of Dabigatran Anticoagulation with Idarucizumab: A Real-World Clinical Experience.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is contraindicated in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) using oral anticoagulants. A specific human monoclonal antibody was introduced to reverse immediately the anticoagulation effect of the direct inhibitor of thrombin, dabigatran. Until now, mostly individual cases presenting with successful IVT after a reversal of dabigatran anticoagulation in patients with AIS were published.

Predictors of noticing stroke educational campaign.

Background: Long-term campaigns to improve stroke awareness, such as the campaign conducted in the Czech Republic since 2006, have not been effective. However, the small subpopulation that noticed the campaign had better stroke awareness than the population that did not. To better understand this awareness campaign responsiveness and to design more successful future campaigns, predictors of noticing campaigns were identified.

Outcome of patients with negative CT angiography results for arterial occlusion treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Background And Purpose: Stroke patients without evidence of arterial occlusion may not be suitable candidates for thrombolytic therapy. In our study, we investigated the outcomes of patients with negative CT angiography results for arterial occlusion.

Methods: The study included patients treated within 3 hours after symptom onset with intravenous thrombolysis for significant neurological deficit between August 2003 and June 2007.