Dual-Energy CT in Acute Stroke: Could Non-Contrast CT Be Replaced by Virtual Non-Contrast CT? A Feasibility Study.

We aimed to evaluate whether virtual non-contrast cerebral computed tomography (VNCCT) reconstructed from intravenous contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT (iv-DECT) could replace non-contrast CT (NCCT) in patients with suspected acute cerebral ischemia. This retrospective study included all consecutive patients in whom NCCT followed by iv-DECT were performed for suspected acute ischemia in our emergency department over a 1-month period. The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) was used to determine signs of acute ischemia in the anterior and posterior circulation, the presence of hemorrhage, and alternative findings, which were randomly evaluated via the consensus reading of NCCT and VNCCT by two readers blinded to the final diagnosis.

Effectiveness of the preventive administration of vasoactive amines in counterbalancing significant patient blood pressure drops following nimodipine administration during mechanical thrombectomy procedures.

Background: Focal vasospasm (FV) of the occluded vessel can occur during the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nimodipine is commonly used to treat vasospasm and can play a role in distinguishing it from artery narrowing due to iatrogenic dissection or residual clot. However, nimodipine administration can result in arterial hypotension and subsequent enlargement of the ischemic core.

Benchtop evaluation of a double stent retriever thrombectomy technique for acute ischemic stroke treatment.

Background And Purpose: A mechanical thrombectomy technique using a double stent retriever approach has been reported for the treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to perform a benchtop evaluation of the mechanism of action and efficacy of a double-stent retriever approach compared to a single-stent retriever approach.

Materials And Methods: In vitro, mechanical thrombectomy procedures were performed in a vascular phantom reproducing an M1-M2 occlusion with two different clot analog consistencies (soft and hard).

Endovascular treatment strategies for simultaneous bilateral anterior circulation occlusions in acute ischemic stroke: A single-center experience and systematic review of the literature.

Background: Bilateral and simultaneous occlusion of the anterior circulation is a rare event in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Although endovascular treatment is feasible and safe, the endovascular strategy to be used remains a subject of debate.

Objective: To assess the different endovascular strategies proposed for the treatment of a bilateral, simultaneous anterior circulation occlusion following acute ischemic stroke.

Three-dimensional rotational angiography improves mechanical thrombectomy recanalization rate for acute ischaemic stroke due to middle cerebral artery M2 segment occlusions.

Background: Occlusions of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) M2 segments can be difficult to address with mechanical thrombectomy (MTB) using standard projections and this can affect the final recanalization. Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D-RA) allows to obtain a 3D model of cerebral vessels in a few seconds and to determine the best two-dimensional (2D) projections to be selected to evaluate and treat cerebrovascular diseases, such as aneurysms or vascular malformations. We aimed to determine if 3D-RA could be applied also in MTB.

The impact of small-group virtual patient simulator training on perceptions of individual learning process and curricular integration: a multicentre cohort study of nursing and medical students.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated rapid changes in medical education to protect students and patients from the risk of infection. Virtual Patient Simulators (VPS) provide a simulated clinical environment in which students can interview and examine a patient, order tests and exams, prioritize interventions, and observe response to therapy, all with minimal risk to themselves and their patients. Like high-fidelity simulators (HFS), VPS are a tool to improve curricular integration.

MicroCT Can Characterize Clots Retrieved With Mechanical Thrombectomy From Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients-A Preliminary Report.

Background: Characterization of the clot occluding the arteries in acute ischemic stroke received ample attention, in terms of elucidating the relationship between the clot composition, its etiology and its amenability for pharmacological treatment and mechanical thrombectomy approaches. Traditional analytical techniques such as conventional 2D histopathology or electron microscopy sample only small parts of the clot. Visualization and analysis in 3D are necessary to depict and comprehend the overall organization of the clot.

The Relationship between Selected Body Composition Components and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Parameters in Nurses: An Observational Simulation Study.

The provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be related to the physical parameters of the medical personnel, including fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) components. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between selected body composition components and chest compression and ventilation parameters provided by medical staff. An observational simulation study was undertaken between December 2017 and January 2019 at the Center for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences of Rzeszów.

Multimodality Characterization of the Clot in Acute Stroke.

Current treatment of occluded cerebral vessels can be done by a variety of endovascular techniques. Sometimes, the clot responds in varying degrees to the treatment chosen. The characterization of the clot occluding the arteries in acute ischemic stroke can help in understanding the underlying imaging features obtained from pre-treatment brain scans.

Application of Lucilia sericata Larvae in Debridement of Pressure Wounds in Outpatient Settings.

Biological therapy using Lucilia sericata larvae has numerous advocates worldwide, yet it is still fairly unknown and not commonly applied in daily practice because of the limited awareness and insufficient experience of medical and nursing personnel. There are case reports suggesting that maggot therapy can be applied and supported by lay caregivers, provided they are supervised and informed by physicians/nurses. The foregoing observation suggests that the method should be considered for implementation by a wider group of caregivers if accepted and meticulously supervised by trained and experienced medical staff.

Acute Stenting and Concomitant Tirofiban Administration for the Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Related to Intracranial Artery Dissections: A Single Center Experience and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Intracranial artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute ischemic stroke. Although acute stenting of the dissected arterial segment is a therapeutic option, the associated antiplatelet regimen remains a matter of debate.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acute intracranial stenting together with concomitant intravenous administration of tirofiban and to perform a systematic review of the literature.

Experimental evaluation of direct thromboaspiration efficacy according to the angle of interaction between the aspiration catheter and the clot.

Background: Successful direct thromboaspiration (DTA) is related to several factors such as clot consistency, size, and location. It has also been demonstrated recently that the angle of interaction (AOI) formed by the aspiration catheter and the clot is related to DTA efficacy. The aims of this study were three-fold: (a) to confirm the clinical finding that the AOI formed by the aspiration catheter and the clot influence DTA efficacy; (b) to evaluate to what extent this influence varies according to differences in clot consistency and size; and (c) to validate stent retriever thrombectomy as an effective rescue treatment after DTA failure in the presence of an unfavorable AOI.

An Investigation of Habitual Dietary Supplement Use Among 557 NCAA Division I Athletes.

Supplements may expose athletes to dangerous ingredients, banned substances, toxins or contaminants; however, few investigations assess use among collegiate athletes in the U.S. This cross-sectional study evaluated habitual dietary supplement intake, defined use ≥2 days/week over the past year, in NCAA Division I athletes.

Use of Selected Telemedicine Tools in Monitoring Quality of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Prospective Observational Pilot Simulation Study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the quality of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation components performed by nurses under simulated conditions, with the use of selected telemedicine tools. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective observational pilot simulation study was carried out with a group of 48 nurses working in hospital wards specializing in conservative treatment (HOS/C=22; mean age of 30.27 years; SD 9.

Prevalence and Predictors of Higher-Risk Supplement Use Among Collegiate Athletes.

Sassone, J, Muster, M, and Barrack, MT. Prevalence and predictors of higher-risk supplement use among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 443-450, 2019-This study aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors associated with the use of higher-risk dietary supplements, defined as supplements containing herbal ingredients, caffeine, or those classified for weight loss, muscle-building, or as a preworkout supplement, among 557 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I male and female collegiate athletes.

Spinal versus general anesthesia for lumbar spine surgery in high risk patients: Perioperative hemodynamic stability, complications and costs.

Objective: More stable perioperative hemodynamic conditions, lower costs and a lower perioperative complication rate were reported in young healthy patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery in spinal anesthesia (SA) compared to general anesthesia (GA). However, the benefits of SA in high risk patients (ASA≥II suffering from cardiovascular and/or pulmonary pathologies) undergoing this surgery are unclear. Our objective was to analyze whether SA leads to an improved perioperative hemodynamic stability and to a more cost-effective management compared to GA in high risk patients undergoing this surgery.

Clinical impact of 18F-choline PET/CT in patients with recurrent prostate cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical value of (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT (CH-PET/CT) in treatment decisions in patients with recurrent prostate cancer (rPCA).

Methods: The study was a retrospective evaluation of 156 patients with rPCA and CH-PET/CT for restaging. Questionnaires for each examination were sent to the referring physicians 14-64 months after examination.

Weight-Based Adaptation of TNF-Antagonist Induction versus Maintenance Dose.

Biologics are highly specific and exhibit few problems in regard to overdosages. In clinical practice, induction schemes with an initial loading dose and a subsequent lower maintenance dose have been established and are of higher efficacy for psoriasis than starting directly with the maintenance dose. As obese patients sometimes respond less well to standard dosages, increases of the maintenance dose, but not the loading doses, have been tried with variable success.

Preoperative silk suture embolization of cerebral and dural arteriovenous malformations.

Object: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of silk sutures as a medical implant when applied for the embolization of cerebral and dural arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The facility of surgery and the clinical significance of complications related to preoperative silk suture embolization were evaluated immediately after surgery and at long-term follow up.

Methods: Thirty-four patients harboring 29 cerebral and five dural AVMs underwent embolization in which silk alone or in association with other agents was used.

CT angiography, MR angiography and rotational digital subtraction angiography for volumetric assessment of intracranial aneurysms. An experimental study.

The purpose of our experimental study was to assess the accuracy and precision of CT angiography (CTA), MR angiography (MRA) and rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for measuring the volume of an in vitro aneurysm model. A rigid model of the anterior cerebral circulation harbouring an anterior communicating aneurysm was connected to a pulsatile circuit. It was studied using unenhanced 3D time-of-flight MRA, contrast-enhanced CTA and rotational DSA angiography.

In vitro evaluation of the effectiveness of distal protection in the prevention of cerebral thromboembolism during carotid stent placement.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and quantify the benefit of the balloon protection device, to identify the most effective sequence of irrigation or flushing, and to determine the most effective catheter position to remove the maximum number of emboli or debris beneath the flow-arrest balloon.

Materials And Methods: Silicone models of the neurovasculature were attached to a systodiastolic pump. Stents were placed in carotid stenoses by using the distal flow protection technique.

Anatomic relationship between arachnoid granulations in the transverse sinus and the termination of the vein of Labbé: an angiographic study.

We studied the anatomic relationship between arachnoid granulations in the transverse sinus and the termination of the vein of Labbé in 57 consecutive angiograms. Patients with pathology in intracranial venous structures or with inadequate image quality of the venous system were excluded. Arachnoid granulations were found in 12 of the 57 patients (21.