In a nutshell The study examined the impact of pioglitazone (Actos) on acute coronary syndromes in patients with insulin resistance who had a recent stroke. The authors concluded that pioglitazone reduced the risk of heart attack in these patients. Some background Insulin resistance occurs when the body cannot use insulin normally,...
Read MoreType of stroke-Ischemic stroke Posts on Medivizor
A link between alcohol consumption and stroke?
In a nutshell This study examined the link between alcohol consumption and stroke. The authors concluded that light consumption of alcohol could decrease the risk of ischemic stroke. In contrast, they noted that heavy consumption of alcohol increased the risk of all types of stroke. Some background Light alcohol consumption is considered...
Read MoreDo multivitamins protect against stroke?
In a nutshell This study looked at whether taking multivitamins was protective against different types of stroke. The results suggest that regular multivitamin use and high fruit and vegetable intake lead to a reduced risk of ischemic stroke. Some background Studies describing the benefits of multivitamins are controversial. Some studies suggest...
Read MoreRisk factors of stroke after minor stroke
In a nutshell The authors looked at risk factors associated with a higher chance of recurring stroke for patients who have had a minor stroke. They concluded that patients with less severe initial stroke, heart disease, multiple blocked blood vessels or a blocked artery are at a higher risk of recurring stroke. Some background Patients who have...
Read MorePatient outcome in the 5 years following alteplase treatment
In a nutshell This study examined the long-term outcomes associated with intravenous (through a tube into the vein) alteplase (Activase) treatment for ischemic stroke. This study found that roughly one-third of patients involved experienced an excellent outcome after 5 years, particularly younger patients with less initial disability. Some background...
Read MoreThe long term risk of vascular events following stroke in young adults
In a nutshell This trial aimed to determine the long-term risk of vascular event in ischemic stroke patients and whether patients of a certain subgroup were more at risk. The authors concluded that there was still a risk of vascular event for these patients 15 years after stroke, in particular patients with previous cardioembolism and large-artery...
Read MoreThe efficacy of an insulin-response drug following stroke
In a nutshell This study tested whether pioglitazone (Actos), a drug that increases the body’s response to insulin, is effective at reducing the chance of vascular disease patients following stroke. Researchers determined that while treating stroke patients with pioglitazone decreased there risk of vascular disease and diabetes, there were...
Read MoreCombining nerve stimulation and upper limb rehabilitation after stroke
In a nutshell This study examined the safety and potential effectiveness of using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in combination with rehabilitation to improve upper limb function following stroke. It concluded that VNS is safe and has the potential to improve upper limb function when combined with rehabilitation movements. Some background...
Read MoreDo lesions seen on diffusion-weighted imaging affect the outcome after stroke
In a nutshell This paper studied whether a lesion seen on magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighting in patients with stroke is associated with worse outcomes. Some background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to look at structures in the body. Diffusion-weighted imaging is a form of magnetic...
Read MoreRecommendations to prevent stroke
In a nutshell This paper gave recommendations for preventing stroke among patients who survived an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Some background A stroke occurs when there is not enough blood supply to the brain. In ischemic stroke, a blockage of a blood vessel to the brain leads to obstructed blood flow. In a transient...
Read MoreIs aggressive medical treatment without stenting the best option for plaque build-up in the arteries of the brain?
In a nutshell This study looked at the effect of aggressive medical treatment with or without stenting in patients with intracranial artery stenosis. Some background Intracranial stenosis describes the narrowing of an artery inside the brain. It is caused by a buildup of plaque inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain and can...
Read MoreWhat is the best drug treatment for preventing a stroke?
In a nutshell This study investigated what antiplatelet drugs are most effective and safe for preventing stroke in patients with cardiovascular disease or who have a history of stroke. Some background A stroke is a disturbance of blood flow to a part of the brain. Most strokes are caused by a blood clot in...
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