For Many Strokes, There’s an Effective Treatment. Why Aren’t Some Doctors Offering It?

A charismatic, riveting speaker, Dr. Hoffman has given educational courses across the country and many medical professionals have listened to informational tapes in which he presented his critique of the evidence. And his influence has spread.

A Normal Head CT Scan Does Not “Rule Out” Ischemic Stroke – Part I

An early stroke can be a treatable stroke, but if a patient is sent home on the assumption that a normal CT scan “ruled out” a stroke, then the only evidence-supported medical therapy for treatment has been denied to that person.

A Normal Head CT Scan Does Not “Rule Out” Ischemic Stroke – Part II

As a follow up to last week’s post about head CT scans failing to demonstrate evidence of ischemic stroke in certain situations (early stroke, strokes of small sizes, strokes in the brainstem or cerebellum), I wanted to share several cases illustrating the truth behind the assertion.

What You Should Know About Ischemic Stroke

With a brain attack, every second counts.

Call To Action: Americans Fear Terrorism More Than What Is Likely To Kill Them

I remain much more fearful of having a stroke than I do of losing my life in a terrorist attack. Yes, national security is an important issue; however, as we battle threats that are much more likely to kill and disable Americans than terrorist attacks, let us place our fears where fear is warranted, and channel this energy into action.

For First Time, Treatment Helps Patients With Worst Kind of Stroke, Study Says

After three decades of failure, researchers have found a treatment that greatly improves the prognosis for people having the most severe and disabling strokes. By directly removing large blood clots blocking blood vessels in the brain, they can save brain tissue that would have otherwise died, enabling many to return to an independent life.

Ischemic Stroke Recovery Guide

It’s important to remember that a stroke has the potential to harm a subject in several ways. Not only are there many possible physical side effects, but mental and emotional complications can also surface because of an attack. However, the seriousness of these issues is determined by the severity of the stroke itself, and the nature of the issues may vary depending on what parts of the brain are affected.

Popular heartburn medication may increase ischemic stroke risk

"At one time, PPIs were thought to be safe, without major side effects," he said, "This study further questions the cardiovascular safety of these drugs."

Reflecting on Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis, and the U.S. Presidential Election

The most common initial symptoms of CVST are headache, visual changes, and/or seizure. A headache that continues to escalate for days to weeks, especially in a patient taking birth control pills, who is pregnant, or who has a history of abnormal clotting should undergo MRI of the brain.

Young adults with acute ischemic stroke are more likely to receive IV t-PA than their older counterparts, and have lower rates of bleeding

I am finally able to share the results of the largest study to date evaluating treatment of young adults in the first hours after the onset of ischemic stroke!

Time is Brain – Acute Ischemic Stroke Part 2: Mechanical Thrombectomy

Mechanical thrombectomy has revolutionized stroke care for patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs). LVOs account for ~40% of all AIS, and prior to endovascular therapy more than half of these patients suffered significant post-stroke disability (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 4-5) or death (mRS 6). This post reviews who qualifies for mechanical thrombectomy, the process of screening, and how the field of interventional neurology continues to evolve.

Time is Brain – Acute Ischemic Stroke Part I: Vascular Syndromes and Thrombolysis

About ~800K people have a stroke in the US every year (1 person every 40 seconds) and stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability (PMID: 31992061). But prior to ~2015, outside of trials, the acute ischemic stroke patient either arrived within 4.5 hours and got tPA or they got supportive care. And, unfortunately, very few patients arrive within the 4.5 hour time window. Things are dramatically different now. The endovascular era in stroke care has revolutionized care for patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO) – which is the subgroup of patients that before the reperfusion era accounted for the highest stroke morbidity and mortality. There is now effective treatment for those who present within 24 hours.