Mnemonic utilization in stroke education: FAST and BEFAST adoption by certified comprehensive stroke centers.

Introduction: Symptom recognition and timely access to treatment are critical components of acute stroke care systems. Two mnemonics widely used in public educational campaigns for recognizing stroke symptoms include FAST (Face-Arm-Speech-Time) and BEFAST (Balance-Eyes-Face-Arm Speech-Time). The FAST mnemonic can miss up to 14% of strokes.

Mechanical Thrombectomy Global Access For Stroke (MT-GLASS): A Mission Thrombectomy (MT-2020 Plus) Study.

Background: Despite the well-established potent benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke, access to MT has not been studied globally. We conducted a worldwide survey of countries on 6 continents to define MT access (MTA), the disparities in MTA, and its determinants on a global scale.

Methods: Our survey was conducted in 75 countries through the Mission Thrombectomy 2020+ global network between November 22, 2020, and February 28, 2021.

Mechanical Thrombectomy Access for All? Challenges in Increasing Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the most effective treatment for selected patients with an acute ischemic stroke due to emergent large vessel occlusions (LVOs). There is an urgent need to identify and address challenges in access to MT to maximize the numbers of patients who can benefit from this treatment. Barriers in access to MT include delays in evaluation and accurate diagnosis of LVO leading to inappropriate triage, logistical delays related to availability of facilities and trained interventionalists, and financial hurdles that affect treatment reimbursement.

Effect of Known Atrial Fibrillation and Anticoagulation Status on the Prehospital Identification of Large Vessel Occlusion.

Introduction: The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity scale (C-STAT), Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS), Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation (RACE) score, and Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) scales were designed to aid emergency responder identification of patients with stroke related to large vessel occlusion (LVO). We hypothesized that the addition of a known history of atrial fibrillation (AF) without anticoagulation to currently used scales would improve LVO detection.

Methods: Medical records of patients admitted to a Comprehensive Stroke Center with acute ischemic stroke in 2014-2015 were reviewed.

Experimental pain assessment in patients with poststroke aphasia.

Objective: To evaluate an observational-behavioral pain tool among individuals with acute poststroke aphasia.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled study of experimental pain assessment among 36 adult patients with acute poststroke aphasia. Patients were administered 3 levels of mechanical pain, including placebo.

BE-FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time): Reducing the Proportion of Strokes Missed Using the FAST Mnemonic.

Background And Purpose: The FAST algorithm (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) helps identify persons having an acute stroke. We determined the proportion of patients with acute ischemic stroke not captured by FAST and evaluated a revised mnemonic.

Methods: Records of all patients admitted to the University of Kentucky Stroke Center between January and December 2014 with a discharge International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code for acute ischemic stroke were reviewed.

Comparing the trends of elevated blood pressure in appalachian and non-Appalachian regions.

As an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, hypertension risks are often thought to be more prevalent in Appalachian mountain ranges when compared with other neighboring counterpart regions. This study evaluated blood pressure (BP) readings among 2358 Kentucky residents attending community stroke risk screening events held in 15 counties, including nine Appalachian counties (n=1134) and six non-Appalachian counties (n=1224). With high BP being operationally defined as ≥140/90 mm Hg, 41.

Temporal arteritis: A case series from south India and an update of the Indian scenario.

Objective: To study the clinical, pathological and prognostic profile of patients with temporal arteritis in India.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care center from south India from 2005 to 2010 in the departments of neurology and medicine. The details of all patients that satisfied the ACR 1990 criteria for diagnosis of temporal arteritis were reviewed.