Evidence-Based Neurology
CATEGORY: Stroke / Vascular

Early decompressive craniectomy reduced mortality in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery stroke
Date appraised: January 2008
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ASA reduces the incidence of stroke in women with no previous history of cardiovascular events
Date appraised: May 2007
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In antiphospholipid antibody patients, moderate intensity warfarin was not superior to aspirin for secondary stroke prevention
Date appraised: July 2006
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Current evidence does not support aneurysm screening in first-degree relatives of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage
Date appraised: May 2005
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Large size, posterior location, and prior history of SAH from another aneurysm was associated with an increased five-year rupture rate of unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Date appraised: January 2005
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The potential risk or benefit of restarting warfarin in a patient with atrial fibrillation following an intracranial hemorrhage could not be determined given the current evidence
Date appraised: December 2004
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Hemorrhage as initial AVM presentation, male gender and deep venous drainage were predictors of subsequent hemmorhage in patients with intracranial AVMs
Date appraised: October 2004
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Induced hypothermia reduced neurological disability and death when initiated early after VF cardiac arrest.
Date appraised: July 2004
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There was no difference in mortality when rate control versus rhythm control was used in the management of atrial fibrillation
Date appraised: May 2004
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In patients with atherothrombotic non-disabling stroke there was no reduction in mortality, MI or stroke with the use of triple vitamin therapy; high dose folic acid, pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12).
Date appraised: April 2004
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MR angiography and Duplex ultrasonography were highly accurate in detecting high-grade carotid stenosis.
Date appraised: February 2004
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Coiling reduced the rate of death or dependency at one year in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms considered suitable for either surgical clipping or endovascular coiling
Date appraised: December 2003
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Oral contraceptives increased the risk of stroke 2.75-fold (95% CI, 2.24, 3.38). There was no significant increased risk among patients with migraine.
Date appraised: October 2003
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There was no direct evidence to support the hypothesis that tight glycemic control improves stroke outcomes
Date appraised: March 2003
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Poor quality evidence suggested that surgical decompression for life-threatening cerebral edema following acute ischemic hemispheric stroke, reduced the risk of death or dependency compared to medical therapy.
Date appraised: November 2002
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In middle-aged patients with vascular disease, diabetes or hypertensive males age > 65, simvastatin reduced the 5-year risk of death (NNT 56) and major vascular events (NNT 19), irrespective of initial cholesterol concentrations.
Date appraised: August 2002
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Age, neurological deficit, and consciousness, predicted survival after a stroke. Urinary continence predicted ability to return home.
Date appraised: May 2002
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Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen alone or combination therapy did not prevent stroke in moderate and high risk populations.
Date appraised: April 2002
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Clopidogrel plus aspirin therapy for acute coronary syndromes without ST-elevation modestly reduced the risk of myocardial infarction (NNT 40) and the composite outcome of cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, stroke OR refractory ischemia (NNT 43)
Date appraised: February 2002
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Diagnostic testing for coagulopathies had a low yield in patients with ischemic stroke, except for Antiphospholipid Antibodies.
Date appraised: November 2001
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Ambulatory ECG detected paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 2-5% of ischemic stroke patients with normal baseline ECG.
Date appraised: August 2001
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In cerebral sinus thrombosis, low molecular weight heparin (nadoparin) therapy for 3 weeks followed by 3 months of oral anticoagulation demonstrated a non-significant trend towards benefit over placebo. No clinically significant hemorrhages occurred among those with preexisting hemorrhage.
Date appraised: July 2001
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A negative DWI MRI within 48 hours of stroke symptoms ruled out anterior circulation stroke
Date appraised: June 2001
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In patients with vascular risk factors, ramipril reduced the risk of stroke by 1.5%, NNT 67 (CI 43-143) over a mean duration of four years.
Date appraised: March 2001
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The combination of dipyridamole and aspirin was more efficacious than aspirin alone in the secondary prevention of stroke.
Date appraised: November 2000
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In secondary stroke prevention, HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors reduced the incidence of fatal and nonfatal strokes and total mortality.
Date appraised: September 2000
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In highly selected patients, thrombolysis reduced the overall death and dependency rate in acute ischemic stroke.
Date appraised: September 2000
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Echocardiography in the investigation of ischemic stroke is not indicated in all cases, but should be limited to patients with cardiac disease by history, CXR or EKG.
Date appraised: June 2000
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For patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, warfarin was indicated to reduce stroke if they are over 65 years of age or have any of the following risk factors: prior stroke, HTN, DM, CHF, heart disease or MI.
Date appraised: May 2000
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The overall risk of neurological sequella following a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in the immediate post operative period was 6.1%. The risk increases with increased associated risk factors.
Date appraised: April 2000
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In people with proven SAH on CT or LP, MRA detected an aneurysm with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 98%.
Date appraised: February 2000
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Stroke patients who receive organized inpatient care in a stroke unit are more likely to be alive, independent, and living at home one year after the stroke.
Date appraised: August 1999
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Ticlopidine may be cost-effective in secondary stroke prevention in high-risk patients.
Date appraised: April 1999
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In cerebral edema following stroke, both mannitol and hypertonic saline may reduce raised intracranial pressure acutely.
Date appraised: November 1998
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The overall risk of developing a post-stroke seizure is 5.7% (3.5-7.9) at 1 year, and 11.5% (4.8-18.2) at 5 years.
Date appraised: October 1998
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In highly selected patients, intravenous t-PA given within 3 hours of ischemic stroke onset improves outcome and mortality.
Date appraised: August 1998
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