Primary Prevention and Health Services Delivery

[Telemedicine and fibrinolysis in Franche-Comté]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis of cerebral ischemia as it has been established in a distant hospital (DH) through telemedicine tools or in neurovascular unit of the University Hospital of Besançon.

METHOD

Our work was conducted retrospectively at the University Hospital of Besançon from 1 January 2003 to December 31, 2009.

RESULTS

Fibrinolysis was introduced at the university hospital in 98/161 patients (61%) and a DH in remote 63/161 patients (39%). A favorable neurological outcome (Rankin 0/1) was observed in 27/98 patients (27.5%) treated at University Hospital and in 25/63 (39.5%) patients in a DH. There was no significant difference between the two subgroups. Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation occurred in 5/98 (5%) patients treated at University Hospital and in 1/63 (1.5%) patients treated in DH. There was no significant difference between the two subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that fibrinolysis remotely using the tools of telemedicine has, from 2003 to 2009, in Franche-Comté deal effectively and without risk of a significant proportion of patients.

In vivo therapeutic gas delivery for neuroprotection with echogenic liposomes

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-related neurological injury is a primary cause of stroke disability. Studies have demonstrated that xenon (Xe) may have potential as an effective and nontoxic neuroprotectant. Xe delivery is, however, hampered by lack of suitable administration methods. We have developed a pressurization-freeze method to encapsulate Xe into echogenic liposomes (Xe-ELIP) and have modulated local gas release with transvascular ultrasound exposure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifteen microliters of Xe were encapsulated into each 1 mg of liposomes (70% Xe and 30% argon). Xe delivery from Xe-ELIP into cells and consequent neuroprotective effects were evaluated with oxygen/glucose-deprived and control neuronal cells in vitro. Xe-ELIP were administered into Sprague-Dawley rats intravenously or intra-arterially after right middle cerebral artery occlusion. One-megahertz low-amplitude (0.18 MPa) continuous wave ultrasound directed onto the internal carotid artery triggered Xe release from circulating Xe-ELIP. Effects of Xe delivery on ischemia-induced neurological injury and disability were evaluated. Xe-ELIP delivery to oxygen/glucose-deprived neuronal cells improved cell viability in vitro and resulted in a 48% infarct volume decrease in vivo. Intravenous Xe-ELIP administration in combination with the ultrasound directed onto the carotid artery enhanced local Xe release from circulating Xe-ELIP and demonstrated 75% infarct volume reduction. This was comparable to the effect after intra-arterial administration. Behavioral tests on limb placement and grid and beam walking correlated with infarct reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel methodology may provide a noninvasive strategy for ultrasound-enhanced local therapeutic gas delivery for cerebral ischemia-related injury while minimizing systemic side effects.

An urgent access neurovascular clinic: audit of timeliness

This study aimed to evaluate timeliness of an outpatient urgent access neurovascular clinic in a district general hospital setting through an audit of delay from event to completion of evaluation following transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. Participants included those referred for evaluation of suspected TIA or minor stroke. The median delay from event to completion was 16 days, with 45% seen within two weeks of symptom onset, and 15% within one week of symptom onset. A weekly TIA clinic is not capable of achieving the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke recommendation for evaluation within one week of symptoms. This audit supports the National Stroke Strategy recommendation for immediate evaluation of patients presenting with a recent TIA or minor stroke.

Use of antiplatelet agents for prevention of ischemic stroke

Overall management to lower risk for ischemic stroke is multifaceted. Management includes measures to treat risk factors for accelerated atherosclerosis and stroke, antithrombotic therapies to lower the risk for thromboembolism, and surgery to treat a defined arterial or cardiac lesion. Treatment decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, with most patients receiving some combination of medication and recommendations for lifestyle modification. Some patients will also undergo surgical or endovascular interventions. This article discusses antithrombotic treatment for ischemic stroke prevention, placing major emphasis on the indications for and administration of antiplatelet therapy.