[Delivering the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: bioethical considerations].

Delivering the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to the patient can cause situations that do not meet the necessary ethical professional standards. We present two cases in which the rash way such a diagnosis was delivered did not respect the principle of nonmaleficence. In both cases the revelation worsened the situation prior to the consultation, causing unfortunate distress to the patient and family.

[Cognitive impairment during the COVID-19- social isolation period].

The COVID-19 social isolation period entailed changes in daily habits and routines, testing the adjustment abilities of the population to address unusual situations. Given that the activities of daily living require a normally functioning cognitive system, the study of cognitive-functional interaction under social isolation is relevant. The object of this work was to obtain information on the cognitive-functional impact of social isolation, analyze the changes induced in daily routines and habits, and assess the cognitive adjustment of the adult population to the isolation requirements.

[Withdrawal of life support in the permanent vegetative state, and a dignified death].

Patient relatives often request withdrawal of life support, especially artificial nutrition and hydration, in cases of permanent vegetative or minimally conscious state, and resort to court in case of disagreement. Two recent cases of withdrawal authorized by the courts concerned, one from abroad and one from Argentina, have been controversial. Although it may appear inhuman to stop feeding and hydrating such patients, to continue it only prolongs a state of irreversible biological subsistence.

Iatrogenic neurology.

Iatrogenic disease is one of the most frequent causes of hospital admissions and constitutes a growing public health problem. The most common type of iatrogenic neurologic disease is pharmacologic, and the central and peripheral nervous systems are particularly vulnerable. Despite this, iatrogenic disease is generally overlooked as a differential diagnosis among neurologic patients.

Higher frequency of atrial fibrillation linked to colder seasons and air temperature on the day of ischemic stroke onset.

Background: Whether a seasonal variation of atrial fibrillation among acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients occurs is unknown. We studied the distribution of atrial fibrillation across seasons and air temperatures in a cohort of AIS patients.

Methods: We selected 899 AIS patients from the Argentinean Stroke Registry (ReNACer), who were admitted to 43 centers in the Province of Buenos Aires.

The case for an elderly targeted stroke management.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The elderly, in whom atrial fibrillation (AF) is most prevalent, carry the greatest risk, undergoing more recurrent, deadlier strokes, with bigger deficits, slower recoveries, and more comorbidities. Evidence-based data on advanced age stroke management are scarce.

Quality of ischemic stroke care in emerging countries: the Argentinian National Stroke Registry (ReNACer).

Background And Purpose: Limited information is available on stroke management in developing countries. An accurate monitoring of quality of stroke care will become crucial, particularly with the emerging paradigm of pay-for-performance. Our aim was to explore the feasibility of measuring standardized indicators of quality of ischemic stroke care in acute care facilities in Argentina.