This article represents the update of the European Stroke Initiative Recommendations for Stroke Management. These guidelines cover both ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attacks, which are now considered to be a single entity. The article covers referral and emergency management, Stroke Unit service, diagnostics, primary and secondary prevention, general stroke treatment, specific treatment including acute management, management of complications, and rehabilitation.

/pdf/guidelines-for-management-of-ischaemic-stroke-and-transient-1bttxqchx4.pdf

Guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008

Objective: To estimate rates, predictors, and prognostic importance of recanalization in an unselected series of patients with stroke treated with IV thrombolysis. Methods: We performed a CT angiography or transcranial Doppler (TCD) follow-up examination 24 hours after IV thrombolysis in 64 patients with documented occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid or middle cerebral artery (MCA). Complete recanalization was defined by a rating of 3 on the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction or 4/5 on the Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia grading scales. Information about risk factors, clinical features, and outcome was prospectively collected by standardized procedures. Results: Complete recanalization was achieved in 36 of the 64 patients (56.3%). There was a nonsignificant trend of recanalization rates to decline with a more proximal site of occlusion: 68.4% (M2 segment of MCA), 53.1% (M1 segment), and 46.2% (carotid T) ( p for trend = 0.28). Frequencies of vessel reopening were markedly reduced in subjects with diabetes (9.1% vs 66.0% in nondiabetics, p p = 0.03). Finally, complete recanalization predicted a favorable stroke outcome at day 90 independently of the information provided by age, NIH Stroke Scale, and onset-to-needle time. Conclusions: We found a high rate of vessel recanalization after IV thrombolysis occlusion. However, recanalization was infrequent in patients with diabetes and extracranial carotid occlusion. Information on recanalization was a powerful, early predictor for clinical outcome.

Recanalization after thrombolysis in stroke patients Predictors and prognostic implications

Objective: Despite recent high-profile advances in our un- derstanding of rehabilitation post-stroke, the evidence base remains weaker than in other areas of stroke management. Under the aegis of the European Stroke Organisation a se- lect committee was assembled to collate and appraise the evidence base for rehabilitation interventions. Methods: Following systematic literature searching, relevant abstracts were screened for data quality and relevance. These data were summarized and presented to the members of the expert panel, who, both individually and across group discussions, modified the content. The process was repeated until a final document was produced that all members of the panel and the European Stroke Organisation editorial group were happy with. Results: The final guidelines offer a comprehensive review of post-stroke rehabilitation, incorporating discussion of opti- mal timing, setting and duration of therapy as well as indi- vidual sections on the role of professions allied to medicine; use of assistive technologies and dealing with the common complications encountered during the rehabilitation period. Conclusion: There is a lack of robust evidence for many of the prevalent post-stroke rehabilitation interventions. Avail- able data are discussed and presented as key points; more importantly, specific areas that require further study are also highlighted.

/pdf/evidence-based-stroke-r-ehabilitation-an-expanded-guidance-51bmbo9hud.pdf

Evidence-based stroke r-ehabilitation: an expanded guidance document from the european stroke organisation (ESO) guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008.

Background: It is unclear whether blood pressure should be altered actively during the acute phase of stroke. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1997, and previously updated in 2001 and 2008.
Objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness of altering blood pressure in people with acute stroke, and the effect of different vasoactive drugs on blood pressure in acute stroke.
Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched in February 2014), the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews (CDSR) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 2), MEDLINE (Ovid) (1966 to May 2014), EMBASE (Ovid) (1974 to May 2014), Science Citation Index (ISI,Web of Science, 1981 to May 2014) and the Stroke Trials Registry (searched May 2014).
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials of interventions that aimed to alter blood pressure compared with control in participants within one week of acute ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke.
Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality and extracted data. The review authors crosschecked data and resolved discrepancies by discussion to reach consensus. We obtained published and unpublished data where available.
Main results: We included 26 trials involving 17,011 participants (8497 participants were assigned active therapy and 8514 participants received placebo/control). Not all trials contributed to each outcome. Most data came from trials that had a wide time window for recruitment; four trials gave treatment within six hours and one trial within eight hours. The trials tested alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (A2AA), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARA), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), nitric oxide (NO) donors, thiazide-like diuretics, and target-driven blood pressure lowering. One trial tested phenylephrine. At 24 hours after randomisation oral ACEIs reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP, mean difference (MD) -8 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -17 to 1) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, MD -3 mmHg, 95% CI -9 to 2), sublingual ACEIs reduced SBP (MD - 12.00 mm Hg, 95% CI -26 to 2) and DBP (MD -2, 95%CI -10 to 6), oral ARA reduced SBP (MD -1 mm Hg, 95% CI -3 to 2) and DBP (MD -1 mm Hg, 95% CI -3 to 1), oral beta blockers reduced SBP (MD -14 mm Hg; 95% CI -27 to -1) and DBP (MD -1 mm Hg, 95% CI -9 to 7), intravenous (iv) beta blockers reduced SBP (MD -5 mm Hg, 95% CI -18 to 8) and DBP (-5 mm Hg, 95% CI - 13 to 3), oral CCBs reduced SBP (MD -13 mmHg, 95% CI -43 to 17) and DBP (MD -6 mmHg, 95% CI -14 to 2), iv CCBs reduced SBP (MD -32 mmHg, 95% CI -65 to 1) and DBP (MD -13, 95% CI -31 to 6), NO donors reduced SBP (MD -12 mmHg, 95% CI -19 to -5) and DBP (MD -3, 95% CI -4 to -2) while phenylephrine, non-significantly increased SBP (MD 21 mmHg, 95% CI -13 to 55) and DBP (MD 1 mmHg, 95% CI -15 to 16). 
Blood pressure lowering did not reduce death or dependency either by drug class (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.05), stroke type (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.05) or time to treatment (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.05). Treatment within six hours of stroke appeared effective in reducing death or dependency (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.99) but not death (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.26) at the end of the trial. Although death or dependency did not differ between people who continued pre-stroke antihypertensive treatment versus those who stopped it temporarily (worse outcome with continuing treatment, OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.24), disability scores at the end of the trial were worse in participants randomised to continue treatment (Barthel Index, MD -3.2, 95% CI -5.8, -0.6).
Authors’ conclusions: There is insufficient evidence that lowering blood pressure during the acute phase of stroke improves functional outcome. It is reasonable to withhold blood pressure-lowering drugs until patients are medically and neurologically stable, and have suitable oral or enteral access, after which drugs can then be reintroduced. In people with acute stroke, CCBs, ACEI, ARA, beta blockers and NO donors each lower blood pressure while phenylephrine probably increases blood pressure. Further trials are needed to identify which people are most likely to benefit from early treatment, in particular whether treatment started very early is beneficial.

Interventions for deliberately altering blood pressure in acute stroke

Cerebral Autoregulation and Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background Secondary prevention of stroke with antihypertensive drugs is now standard practice, but it is unclear how soon after a cerebrovascular event antihypertensive therapy should be initiated or re-started. Due to impaired cerebral autoregulation, changes in systemic blood pressure may be reflected in cerebral perfusion, especially in hypertensive patients immediately post-stroke. Conversely, early initiation in hospital may better assure continued long-term treatment. We have investigated the effect of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARA) losartan on mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), global and focal cerebral blood flow (CBF), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in hypertensive patients 2-7 days after stroke. Methods Twenty-four patients without occlusive carotid disease but with MABP between 110 and 145 mmHg were studied within 2-7 days of ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA). They were randomized to receive either placebo or losartan (25 or 50 mg daily). MABP and internal carotid artery (ICA) flow were measured at baseline, over the following 24 h and at 2 weeks. Brain hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime single photon emission computed tomography (HMPAO SPECT) was performed before dosing and at the estimated time of peak drug effect (6-8 h after the first dose). GFR was measured at baseline and at 2 weeks. Results The mean National Institutes of Health (NIH) score of randomized patients was 2.6; losartan was generally well tolerated and no patient suffered a deterioration in neurological function. A mean placebo-corrected intra-subject reduction in MABP of 9.5 mmHg was observed in treated patients from 1-12 h (P = 0.0001), with a maximal fall of 18.1 mmHg at 9 h post-dose (P = 0.002). No change occurred in ICA flow, or cortical or hemispheric CBF measured by HMPAO SPECT. No significant change in GFR was seen within or between groups. Discussion Losartan may be introduced within 2-7 days of mild stroke in hypertensive patients in whom significant carotid occlusive disease has been excluded without affecting global or regional CBF, or affecting GFR.

The effect of losartan on global and focal cerebral perfusion and on renal function in hypertensives in mild early ischaemic stroke

Background and Purpose: Blood pressure reduction is central to secondary prevention after stroke, but the optimal time to start therapy is unknown. Cerebral autoregulation is impair

Effect of Perindopril on Cerebral and Renal Perfusion on Normotensives in Mild Early Ischaemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Handle everyday research tasks with reliable, citation-backed results

Your personal Research Agent to handle research tasks with citation-backed results

Popular Tasks used by Researchers

How can I help with your research?

Meet SciSpace

Get more enhanced response by uploading the PDFs you want me to reference.

No relevant PDFs in your library

SciSpace is the AI research assistant for academics. Run systematic literature reviews on 280M+ papers, and write papers with cited sources. Trusted by 1M+ students, PhDs & researchers.

SciSpace | AI for Research

Analyze PDFs

Code & Manuscripts

Funding & Grants

Literature & Patents

Medical & Clinical Data

Systematic Review

Visualize & Present

Web & Data

Build a Google Scholar-like website for your research.

Build a website

Create charts and images for your research

Create a Chart

Write a paper for submission to a journal

Draft a manuscript

Patent Search

Design eye-catching scientific posters in minutes.

Scientific Poster Generation

Systematic Literature Review

One task is running at the moment. Your messages will be shown right after.

Drag and drop or click here to browse

Loved by <highlight>1 million+</highlight> researchers

Extract a list of specific topics and their sources from unstructured text

Topics

Compare and analyze relevant papers that matches with your search

Papers

Get insights from PDFs and bookmarked papers from your library

My library

Recent searches

Try searching for:

Catch AI-generated content in scholarly and non-scholarly content

{ai} Detector

Ai Writer

Get PDF Summaries, highlighted text explanations 

Chat with PDF

Effortlessly create in-text citations and bibliographies in APA and 2,500 other formats

Citation generator

Get explanations, summaries, and answers on academic papers

Ease up your research workflow with {scispace}'s cohort of exciting AI tools

Elevate your academic writing skills and convey your ideas the way you want

Paraphraser

Explore our range of reading and writing tools

Your file is being prepared and should be ready in a few minutes. If it's a large file, it might take a bit longer. You can close this window, and we'll email you the file when it's done.

You have reached a maximum limit of <strong>{limit}</strong> columns in the table. Remove at least <strong>1</strong> column to add or create another one.

Tom E Hilditch

Author Tools

Chat about Author

Papers

The effect of losartan on global and focal cerebral perfusion and on renal function in hypertensives in mild early ischaemic stroke

Effect of Perindopril on Cerebral and Renal Perfusion on Normotensives in Mild Early Ischaemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial