Free-floating thrombus in stroke patients with nonstenotic internal carotid artery-an ultrasonographic study.

Background: There are multiple causes of free-floating thrombus (FFT) formation in carotid arteries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and natural history of FFT in nonstenotic internal carotid arteries of patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: During a 50-month period, 3,200 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated for internal carotid artery stenosis and the presence of FFT by color-coded duplex ultrasonography.

Unexpected arterial recanalization after decompressive hemicraniectomy.

We report a 43-year-old patient with malignant embolic ischemic stroke in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA), treated by decompressive hemicraniectomy. Cerebrovascular ultrasound detected a subtotally occluding thrombus in the right internal carotid artery and a partial occlusion of the ipsilateral MCA. After the surgery, complete recanalization of the affected vessels was observed.

Plasma levels of branched chain amino acids in patients on regular hemodialysis before and after including a high-protein supplement in their diet.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis have low plasma level of the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The abnormalities in the plasma amino acid pool can be corrected with appropriate high-protein supplements. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a balanced protein nutritional supplement on the plasma level of BCAA.