Cognitive Outcomes in Young Adults with Primary Arterial Hypertension: The Role of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Hypertension-Mediated Organ Damage.

We aimed to explore the association between cognitive performance and markers of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in young adults with hypertension. A group of adults aged 16 to 45 years with primary arterial hypertension completed a battery of paper-pencil as well as computer-based neuropsychological tests across all major cognitive domains. They also underwent office and ambulatory 24 h blood pressure, intima-media thickness measurements, heart ultrasound, and laboratory analysis of their lipid profile, blood uric acid concentration, and urine albumin-creatinine ratio.

Specialist Perspectives on the Imaging Selection of Large Vessel Occlusion in the Late Window.

Background: The proper imaging modality for use in the selection of patients for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) presenting in the late window remains controversial, despite current guidelines advocating the use of advanced imaging in this population. We sought to understand if clinicians with different specialty training differ in their approach to patient selection for EVT in the late time window.

Methods: We conducted an international survey of stroke and neurointerventional clinicians between January and May 2022 with questions focusing on imaging and treatment decisions of large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients presenting in the late window.

Endovascular Treatment of Basilar Artery Occlusion: What Can We Learn from the Results?

Background and Objectives: Current guidelines lack specific endovascular treatment (EVT) recommendations for posterior circulation stroke (PCS). The results of earlier studies are controversial. We aimed to compare early hospital outcomes of stroke caused by large-vessel occlusion (LVO) treated with EVT or bridging therapy (BT) in anterior circulation stroke (ACS) versus PCS (middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and basilar artery occlusion (BAO), and establish the risk factors for poor outcome.

Prehospital Stroke Care, Paramedic Training Needs, and Hospital-Directed Feedback in Lithuania.

Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) are the first health care contact for the majority of stroke patients. However, there is a lack of data on the current paramedics’ hospital-directed feedback and training needs across different health care settings. We aimed to evaluate paramedics’ prehospital stroke care knowledge, training needs, and current status of feedback on suspected stroke patients.

Tenecteplase or Alteplase Better in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Large Vessel Occlusion: A Single Center Observational Study.

: The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis with Tenecteplase before thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients compared with previous results using Alteplase. Previous trials for Tenecteplase have indicated an increased incidence of vascular reperfusion. In April 2021, we started to primarily give Tenecteplase to patients eligible to undergo thrombectomy.

High Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in a Lithuanian Stroke Patient Cohort.

Background and Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with a five-fold increased risk for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of AF in a Lithuanian cohort of stroke patients, and its impact on patients regarding case fatality, functional outcome, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 90 days. Materials and Methods: A single-center prospective study was carried out for four non-consecutive months between December 2018 and July 2019 in one of the two comprehensive stroke centers in Eastern Lithuania.

Reperfusion Therapies for Acute Ischemic Stroke in COVID-19 Patients: A Nationwide Multi-Center Study.

(1) Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a possible complication of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Safety and efficacy data on reperfusion therapies (RT)-intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment (EVT)-in stroke patients with COVID-19 is lacking. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective nationwide multi-center pair-matched analysis of COVID-19 patients with AIS who underwent RT.

Interactive Training of the Emergency Medical Services Improved Prehospital Stroke Recognition and Transport Time.

Background And Purpose: Acute stroke treatment outcomes are predicated on reperfusion timeliness which can be improved by better prehospital stroke identification. We aimed to assess the effect of interactive emergency medical services (EMS) training on stroke recognition and prehospital care performance in a very high-risk cardiovascular risk population in Lithuania.

Methods: We conducted a single-center interrupted time-series study between March 1, 2019 and March 15, 2020.

Unfavorable Changes of Platelet Reactivity on Clopidogrel Therapy Assessed by Impedance Aggregometry Affect a Larger Volume of Acute Ischemic Lesions in Stroke.

Background: High on-treatment platelet reactivity or its equivalent-resistance to the antiplatelet agent-significantly reduces the efficacy of the therapy, contributing to a negative impact on stroke course. Previous studies demonstrated that aspirin resistance is associated with a larger size of acute ischemic infarct. Due to the increasing use of clopidogrel in the secondary prevention of stroke, we aimed to assess the impact of clopidogrel resistance on the size and extent of ischemic lesions, both acute and chronic.

Changes in Prehospital Stroke Care and Stroke Mimic Patterns during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on prehospital stroke care is largely unknown. We aimed to compare stroke care patterns before and during a state-wide lockdown. Thus, we analysed prospective data of stroke alerts referred to our stroke centre between 1 December 2019 and 16 June 2020, and compared them between two periods-15 weeks before and 13 weeks during the state-wide lockdown declared in Lithuania on 16 March 2020.

Validation and Factor Analysis of the Lithuanian Version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Objectives: This study aimed to validate the Lithuanian version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI-L), investigate its reliability, and perform factor analysis.

Materials And Methods: A standard protocol of translation was followed for psychometric instruments. A total of 108 patients (75.

Diagnosis and treatment choices of suspected benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: current approach of general practitioners, neurologists, and ENT physicians.

Purpose: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a frequently underdiagnosed cause of vertigo, potentially due to the underuse of diagnostic and therapeutic canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs). We aimed to investigate self-reported use of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to BPPV patients by Lithuanian neurologists, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians, and general practitioners (GPs), and to explore potential reasons for the underuse of the maneuvers.

Methods: Neurologists, ENT physicians, and GPs were invited to complete a written questionnaire focused on diagnostic and therapeutic practices related to BPPV.

Response inhibition, set shifting, and complex executive function in patients with chronic lower back pain.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate how response inhibition, set shifting, and complex executive function (represented by risky decision-making) are altered in chronic lower back pain patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 29 patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP >6 months) aged 49-69 years and 30 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and education were enrolled in a case-control study. The study was conducted in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Panevėžys Regional Hospital, Lithuania.