1. DR AMER JAFAR ‘STROKE’ October 2010

2. Ethnicity and recurrence of stroke Population-based study Compared poststroke recurrence and survival in Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) with atrial fibrillation Recurrent stroke and all-cause mortality were compared by ethnicity with survival analysis methods.

3. MAs with atrial fibrillation have a higher stroke recurrence risk and more severe recurrences than do NHWs but no difference in all-cause mortality Aggressive stroke prevention measures focused on MAs are warranted

4. von Willebrand Factor Levels and Stroke The aim of this study was to determine if von Willebrand factor levels are associated with the risk of stroke The study was part of the Rotterdam Study, a large population-based cohort study among subjects aged 55 years During an average follow-up time of 5.0 years, 290 first-ever strokes occurred, of which 197 were classified as ischaemic

5. The risk of stroke increased with increasing von Willebrand factor levels The association was also present in subjects without atrial fibrillation and did not differ between sexes The study concluded that: High von Willebrand factor levels are associated with stroke risk in the general population

6. MRI FOR TIA Aiming to assess how frequently MRI/DWI was performed for TIA patients and ascertained the proportion of clinically defined TIA patients who had ischaemic lesions on DWI All clinically defined TIA cases among residents of a 5-county region around Cincinnati who presented to emergency departments were identified during 2005

7. Of 834 TIA events in 799 patients, 323 events (40%) had MRI/DWI performed Patients with positive DWI were older and more likely to have atrial fibrillation Conclusion: Performing MRI/DWI on all clinically defined TIA patients in the community would reveal more cases of actual infarction but would more than double current use

8. Thrombolysis and hypothermia The researchers studied the feasibility and safety of hypothermia (neuroprotection) and thrombolysis after acute ischaemic stroke Intravenous Thrombolysis Plus Hypothermia for Acute Treatment of Ischaemic Stroke (ICTuS-L) was a randomized, multicenter trial of hypothermia and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator in patients treated within 6 hours after ischaemic stroke

9. In total, 59 patients were enrolled This study demonstrates the feasibility and preliminary safety of combining endovascular hypothermia after stroke with intravenous thrombolysis Pneumonia was more frequent after hypothermia A definitive efficacy trial is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic hypothermia for acute stroke.

10. Statins after I/C haemorrhage The research evaluated recent nationwide trends in discharge statin treatment after intracerebral haemorrhage hospitalization The study used data from 25 673 patients with haemorrhagic stroke admitted to Get With Guidelines–Stroke participating hospitals between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007

11. Discharge statin prescription among hospitalized patients with intracerebral haemorrhage has modestly risen over time The clinical implications of this care pattern among patients with intracerebral haemorrhage require further study

12. The EXCITE Stroke Trial Comparing Early and Delayed Constraint- Induced Movement Therapy the purpose of this study was to compare functional improvements between stroke participants randomized to receive CIMT within 3 to 9 months (early group) to participants randomized on recruitment to receive the identical intervention 15 to 21 months after stroke (delayed group).

13. The earlier CIMT group showed greater improvement than the delayed CIMT group Early and delayed group comparison of scores 24 months after enrolment showed no statistically significant differences between groups CIMT can be delivered to eligible patients 3 to 9 months or 15 to 21 months after stroke. Both patient groups achieved approximately the same level of significant arm motor function 24 months after enrolment

14. Stroke and the weekend effect The Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2002 to 2007 was searched for all emergency room admissions for stroke in University of Florida There were 599 087 emergency room admissions for ischaemic stroke: 159 906 weekend admissions and 439 181 weekday admissions

15. The study concluded that: There is a slight stroke weekend effect on thrombolytic use, total hospital charges, and length of stay, but no difference in in- hospital mortality or discharge disposition.

16. Carotid Bruit The authors investigated whether the presence of a carotid bruit is associated with increased risk for transient ischaemic attack, stroke, or death by stroke (stroke death) The study included 28 prospective cohort articles that followed a total of 17 913 patients Conclusion: The presence of a carotid bruit may increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease.