Articles related to STROKE

A meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine has concluded that the link between statin-induced LDL lowering and reduction of CV outcomes may not be as robust as previously assumed. According to the researchers, the absolute risk reduction associated with statin use for all-cause mortality was 0.8% (95% CI, 0.4-1.2), whereas for MI it was 1.3% (95% CI, 0.9-1.7) and for stroke it was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.2-0.6). Absolute risk reduction figures were slightly higher for secondary prevention than for primary prevention.

Improvements in brain imaging and a deeper understanding of the natural history of acute cerebral ischemia are erasing the concept of “transient ischemic attack” (TIA). The better imaging is revealing that symptomatic ischemic attacks – even those with quite transient signs and symptoms – leave residual damage to the brain.

This CME program from the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine explores a patient with a history of major depressive disorder, progressively worsening altered mental status, intermittent blank staring, blurred vision, bilateral incoordination of the upper and lower extremities, difficulty following commands, and decreased verbal communication. Would you rule out stroke? Serotonin syndrome? Earn some credits while discovering the diagnosis.

More than half of adult Americans (60%) have at least one chronic condition that eventually lead to disability, mortality, and reduced quality of life. And chronic conditions account for 90% of America’s $3.8 trillion in annual healthcare costs. The CDC says these are the eight most expensive.

Findings: Primary outcomes included AMI, HF, stroke, and CVEs; 51 secondary and safety outcomes included angioedema, cough, syncope, and electrolyte abnormalities. ACE inhibitors were associated with a significantly increased risk of four secondary and safety outcomes compared with ARBs.Design: Multinational cohort study; Patients: ~2.3M ACE, ~674K ARB 

According to the results of a new clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), a simple treatment that combines four heart medicines in one pill—a “polypill”—was able to cut the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events by 21% in people at risk of heart disease, and by 31% when taken with aspirin. But is it a “terrible idea,” as one physician puts it?