Sulfonylurea Pretreatment and In-Hospital Use Does Not Impact Acute Ischemic Strokes (AIS) Outcomes Following Intravenous Thrombolysis.

Background And Purpose: Preliminary studies have indicated that sulfonylurea drugs (SUD) may confer protection against cerebral swelling and hemorrhagic transformation in severe acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We sought to determine whether pretreatment and in-hospital use of SUD may be associated with better outcomes in diabetic AIS patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

Subjects And Methods: We analyzed consecutive diabetic AIS patients treated with IVT during a 3-year period.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Hyperacute Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is highly sensitive for detecting intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Understanding of the imaging characteristics of hyperacute ICH is limited secondary to availability and increased time to scan relative to other imaging modalities.

Objective: In this report, we present the MRI characteristics of two patients who developed ICH while on the MRI table.

FABS: An Intuitive Tool for Screening of Stroke Mimics in the Emergency Department.

Background And Purpose: A large number of patients with symptoms of acute cerebral ischemia are stroke mimics (SMs). In this study, we sought to develop a scoring system (FABS) for screening and stratifying SM from acute cerebral ischemia and to identify patients who may require magnetic resonance imaging to confirm or refute a diagnosis of stroke in the emergency setting.

Methods: We designed a scoring system: FABS (6 variables with 1 point for each variable present): absence of Facial droop, negative history of Atrial fibrillation, Age <50 years, systolic Blood pressure <150 mm Hg at presentation, history of Seizures, and isolated Sensory symptoms without weakness at presentation.

Admission systolic blood pressure and outcomes in large vessel occlusion strokes treated with endovascular treatment.

Background And Purpose: High admission blood pressure (BP) levels have been associated with lower recanalization rates after endovascular treatment (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO). We sought to evaluate the association of admission BP with early outcomes in patients with ELVO treated with EVT.

Methods: Consecutive patients with AIS presenting with ELVO in a tertiary stroke center during a 4-year period were prospectively evaluated.

Systemic thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Objective: We sought to determine the safety of IV thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients harboring unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) in a multicenter study and a comprehensive meta-analysis of available case series.

Methods: We analyzed prospectively collected data from consecutive AIS patients treated with IVT during a 4-year period at 4 tertiary-care stroke centers. All patients routinely underwent CT or magnetic resonance angiography during hospitalization.