Early treatment for acute ischemic stroke
Article Abstract:
Ischemic stroke is the loss of consciousness due to the cessation of blood supply to the brain, and may lead to paralysis or death. Early detection and treatment of this type of stroke is difficult because patients often do not feel pain, and may not seek medical care; no proven treatment to reverse ischemic stroke currently exists. Studies show that time is an important factor in treating other disorders associated with blockage of blood flow, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack). Acute cerebral infarction, deterioration of brain tissue due to cessation of blood supply, results from blockage of cerebral arteries (the blood vessels supplying the brain) by blood clots. Blood flow to the brain must be maintained at a certain level to preserve brain electrical activity, function of the nerve membrane, and balance of ions (charged molecules within the nerve). Animal studies show that nerve deficits do not develop if the blood supply to the brain is blocked for less than two to three hours. The duration between onset of stroke and arrival at hospital and the duration between arrival at hospital and start of treatment are important factors influencing the outcome of early stroke treatment. The recognition of stroke symptoms, improved prehospital care by paramedics, and prompt evaluation and treatment of stroke patients by physicians may prevent irreversible nerve damage and improve effectiveness of early treatment of stroke. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1989
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Emergency brain resuscitation
Article Abstract:
Emergency brain resuscitation may be an important treatment for patients experiencing acute stroke. An acute stroke may be caused by cerebral ischemia, or reduction of blood flow to the brain. Research has shown that rapid treatment can limit or reverse ischemic injury to the brain. A proposed system for emergency brain resuscitation would involve a special team composed of a neurologist or neurosurgeon, a specially trained nurse or physicians' assistant, a respiratory therapist and other relevant health personnel. Protocols would be established for rapid identification of potential stroke patients by emergency personnel, followed by prompt evaluation upon arrival at the hospital. There are several experimental medical and surgical therapies that the team can try, depending on diagnostic results. Implementing emergency brain resuscitation programs at hospitals may lead to effective new treatments to reduce disability from stroke.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1995
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Does the brain know when the heart is ischemic?
Article Abstract:
The brain may receive an increase in signal transmissions even during periods of painless ischemia in the heart. Ischemia is a decrease in blood supply to the heart muscle due to vessel blockage which frequently but not always produces chest pain called angina. A 1996 study showed that the thalamus may play a role in controlling this pain perception. A patient's frame of mind, therefore, may also play a role in ischemic heart disease since pain perception signals and emotional thought processes may occur in this same region of the brain. Future research may also address the interaction of socially acceptable pain responses on patients' pain perceptions during ischemia. This research should also address whether these psycho-social and chemical interactions have an effect on patient survival. Other research should address whether identical signals reach the thalamus in patients with and without painful ischemia.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1996
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