Clinical and Radiological Parameters Affecting the Yield of Routine Electroencephalography in Various Indications.

Objectives: To highlight the significance of various clinical and radiological parameters in association with specific electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in order to prioritize EEG referrals.

Method: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the neurology department of King Fahad University Hospital, Alkhobar, and involved a review and analysis of EEG and medical records pertaining to 604 patients referred for routine EEG. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

The Relative Impact of Clinical and Investigational Factors to Predict the Outcome in Stroke Patients.

Objective: As stroke is still considered a significant cause of mortality and morbidity, it is crucial to find the factors affecting the outcome in these patients. We aimed to interpret the various clinical and investigational parameters and establish their association with the outcome in stroke patients.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study, conducted in the Department of Neurology between June 2019 to November 2021.

Validation of the transcranial Doppler rescue criteria for mechanical thrombectomy.

Background And Purpose: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) identifies acute stroke patients with arterial occlusion where treatment may not effectively open the blocked vessel. This study aimed to examine the clinical utility and prognostic value of TCD flow findings in patients enrolled in a multicenter prospective study (CLOTBUST-PRO).

Methods: Patients enrolled with intracranial occlusion on computed tomography angiography (CTA) who underwent urgent TCD evaluation before intravenous thrombolysis was included in this analysis.

Is telestroke more effective than conventional treatment for acute ischemic stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient outcomes and thrombolysis rates.

Background: Telestroke systems operate through remote communication, providing distant stroke evaluation through expert healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess whether the implementation of a telestroke system influenced stroke treatment outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients compared with conventional in-person treatment.

Aims: The study group evaluated multiple studies from electronic databases, comparing telemedicine (TM) and non-telemedicine (NTM) AIS patients between 1999 and 2022.

Ipsilateral weakness caused by ipsilateral stroke: A case series.

Introduction: There are few reported cases of ipsilateral weakness following ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. In these rare cases, ipsilateral weakness is typically the result of damage to uncrossed components of the corticospinal tract (CST) which were recruited in response to previous CST injury.

Patients And Methods: We report a series of six cases of acute ipsilateral weakness or numbness following a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke from three medical institutions in Saudi Arabia.

The impact of leptomeningeal collaterals in acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Leptomeningeal collaterals provide an alternate pathway to maintain cerebral blood flow in stroke to prevent ischemia, but their role in predicting the outcome is still unclear. So, our study aims at assessing the significance of collateral blood flow (CBF) in acute stroke.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched under different MeSH terms from January 2000 to February 2019.

Predictors of 30-day mortality using machine learning approach following carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Preoperative prognostication of 30-day mortality in patients with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can optimize surgical risk stratification and guide the decision-making process to improve survival. This study aims to develop and validate a set of predictive variables of 30-day mortality following CEA.

Methods: The patient cohort was identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005-2016).

Effect of the Preparatory School FAST Stroke Educational Program.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of FAST stroke educational program among all preparatory school students in the state of Qatar. METHODS: The pretest-posttest experimental research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the FAST educational program in Qatar. A 30-minute audiovisual presentation was given to improve knowledge of stroke.

Retinal vessel multifractals predict pial collateral status in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objectives: Pial collateral blood flow is a major determinant of the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke. This study was undertaken to determine whether retinal vessel metrics can predict the pial collateral status and stroke outcomes in patients.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with acute stroke secondary to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion underwent grading of their pial collateral status from computed tomography angiography and retinal vessel analysis from retinal fundus images.

Corneal nerve loss in patients with TIA and acute ischemic stroke in relation to circulating markers of inflammation and vascular integrity.

Vascular and inflammatory mechanisms are implicated in the development of cerebrovascular disease and corneal nerve loss occurs in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We have assessed whether serum markers of inflammation and vascular integrity are associated with the severity of corneal nerve loss in patients with TIA and AIS. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) was performed to quantify corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) in 105 patients with TIA (n = 24) or AIS (n = 81) and age matched control subjects (n = 56).

Trends in Stroke Presentations before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis.

Background And Purpose: There are reports of decline in the rates of acute emergency presentations during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic including stroke. We performed a meta-analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rates of stroke presentations and on rates of reperfusion therapy.

Methods: Following the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines, we systematically searched the literature for studies reporting changes in stroke presentations and treatment rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurotrauma in the Syrian War: analysis of 41,143 cases from July 2013-July 2015.

Introduction: Despite nearly a decade of conflict, little is known about trauma and injuries resulting from the Syrian war.

Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted of an administrative dataset of patient presentations to a network of 95 war-affected hospitals in Syria from July 2013-July 2015. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with mortality of neurotrauma patients.

Effect of Reperfusion Therapies on Incidence of Early Post-Stroke Seizures.

This study aimed to determine the effect of reperfusion therapies on the occurrence of early post-stroke seizures (PSS) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Reperfusion therapies are paramount to the treatment of stroke in the acute phase. However, their effect on the incidence of early seizures after an AIS remains unclear.

Lessons learned in stroke care during COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for future pandemics in the MENA+ region: A consensus statement from the MENA+-SINO.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted stroke care services at multiple levels. There was a decline in acute stroke admissions. Fewer interventions have been performed.

An Observational Study Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Conventional Anticoagulation Versus New Oral Anticoagulants in the Management of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis.

To compare the safety and efficacy of conventional anticoagulants with new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). This was a retrospective, prospective cohort study of patients who presented with CVST to a tertiary stroke center in the Middle East from January 2012 to October 2019. Patients with a diagnosis of CVST were identified, and data were analyzed for demographic characteristics.

Retrospective analysis of the surgical management of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: A single-center study.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality. The mortality rate ranges from 40% at 1 month to 54% at 1 year, and only 12%-39% achieve good outcomes and functional independence. The current management guidelines for spontaneous supratentorial ICH are still controversial.

Corneal nerve loss as a surrogate marker for poor pial collaterals in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

In patients with acute ischemic stroke, pial collaterals play a key role in limiting neurological disability by maintaining blood flow to ischemic penumbra. We hypothesized that patient with poor pial collaterals will have greater corneal nerve and endothelial cell abnormalities. In a cross-sectional study, 35 patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion with poor (n = 12) and moderate-good (n = 23) pial collaterals and 35 healthy controls underwent corneal confocal microscopy and quantification of corneal nerve and endothelial cell morphology.

The Emerging Role of Telestroke in the Middle East and North Africa Region in the Era of COVID-19.

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide. It is a medical emergency demanding immediate recognition to provide time-sensitive acute management. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged acute stroke care, and alternate models of treatment are needed.

IV tPA given in the golden hour for emergent large vessel occlusion stroke improves recanalization rates and clinical outcomes.

Background: Early thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) is associated with better clinical outcome. This is thought to be due to greater tissue salvage with earlier recanalization. We explored whether ultra-early administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) within 60 min (Golden Hour) of symptom onset for AIS due to ELVO is associated with a higher rate of recanalization.

Comparison of mothership versus drip-and-ship models in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: There is controversy if direct to comprehensive center "mothership" or stopping at primary center for thrombolysis before transfer to comprehensive center "drip-and-ship" are best models of treatment of acute stroke. In this study, we compare mothership and drip-and-ship models to evaluate the best option of functional outcome.

Methods: Studies between 1990 and 2020 were extracted from online electronic databases.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on stroke admissions in Qatar.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic unexplained decline in hospital admissions due to acute coronary syndromes and stroke. Several theories have emerged aiming to explain this decline, mostly revolving around the fear of contracting the disease and thus avoiding hospital visits.

Aims: In this study, we aim to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke admissions to a tertiary care centre in Qatar.

Pre-hospital triage of suspected acute stroke patients in a mobile stroke unit in the rural Alberta.

Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) expedites the delivery of intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke patients. We further evaluated the functional outcome of patients shipped to a tertiary care centre or repatriated to local hospitals after triage by MSU in acute stroke syndrome in rural northern Alberta. Consecutive patients with suspected acute stroke syndrome were included.