Tobacco Use and Cryptogenic Stroke in Young Adults

Ischemic stroke in young adults in Bogota, Colombia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

There has been an increase in the incidence of ischemic stroke in young adults. It is believed that it is due to the increase in traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This change has affected the quality of life of young adults.

AIMS

To describe the most common etiologies and risk factors in patients aged ≤ 50 who had ischemic stroke between 2011 and 2018.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study of patients under 50 years who had ischemic stroke between 2011 and 2018 who were evaluated at a comprehensive center in Bogotá, Colombia. We carried out a descriptive analysis of comorbidities, the Trial of Org for Acute Stroke (TOAST), the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients were included, out of which 50.66% were men. The most frequent traditional risk factors were smoking history (19%), history of high blood pressure (18%), presence of cardiovascular disease (17%), and history of migraine (15%). The most common etiological subgroups were those classified as "other determined etiologies" (33.5%) and "undetermined etiology" (33.5%), while the most common etiology was carotid or vertebral artery dissection (23%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the need to make a deep evaluation of the past medical history, laboratory tests, and new risk factors in young adults. On the other hand, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors top the list, showing the need to implement health promotion strategies for young adults.

Emergency management of stroke in the era of mechanical thrombectomy

Emergency management of stroke has been directed at the delivery of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in a timely fashion. Because of the many limitations attached to the delivery of tPA and the perceived benefits accrued to tPA, its use has been limited. Mechanical thrombectomy, a far superior therapy for the largest and most disabling strokes, large vessel occlusions (LVOs), has changed the way acute strokes are managed. Aside from the rush to deliver tPA, there is now a need to identify LVO and refer those patients with LVO to physicians and facilities capable of delivering urgent thrombectomy. Other parts of emergency department management of stroke are directed at identifying and mitigating risk factors for future strokes and at preventing further damage from occurring. We review here the most recent literature supporting these advances in stroke care and present a framework for understanding the role that emergency physicians play in acute stroke care.

Stroke-Related Disease Comorbidity and Secondary Stroke Prevention Practices Among Young Stroke Survivors

BACKGROUND

Although ischemic stroke incidence has been in decline over the past 60 years, the same has not been observed among individuals younger than 55 years. Recent reports have shown a substantial increase in young stroke incidence, yet little is known about young stroke survivors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the disease comorbidity profile and secondary prevention practices in stroke survivors younger than 50 years.

METHODS

This study used a retrospective data analysis of secondary stroke prevention practices among young stroke survivors using data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey.

RESULTS

Approximately 57% of the sample reported having hypertension; 33%, high cholesterol; 13%, diabetes; and 7%, heart disease. In the past 12 months, more than 60% had seen a general doctor, neurologist, or specialist, and more than 75% were following low-dose aspirin advice or taking prescribed medications for blood pressure or cholesterol. Similarly, 84% had their blood pressure checked, and 66% had their cholesterol checked, but only 50% had a fasting test for their blood sugar in the past 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Many young stroke survivors exhibit comorbid disease conditions that are similar to older stroke survivors. A large percentage are engaged in general chronic disease and secondary stroke prevention practices, yet less than two-thirds had seen a general doctor in the past 12 months. Primary care doctors and other health professionals are critical to the implementation of disease management strategies that consider their age, secondary stroke risk, expected life spans, and other issues that differ from older adult stroke survivors.