Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors will help in improving stroke outcome if given immediately after stroke

Contemporary Neuroprotection Strategies during Cardiac Surgery: State of the Art Review

Open-heart surgery is the leading cause of neuronal injury in the perioperative state, with some patients complicating with cerebrovascular accidents and delirium. Neurological fallout places an immense burden on the psychological well-being of the person affected, their family, and the healthcare system. Several randomised control trials (RCTs) have attempted to identify therapeutic and interventional strategies that reduce the morbidity and mortality rate in patients that experience perioperative neurological complications. However, there is still no consensus on the best strategy that yields improved patient outcomes, such that standardised neuroprotection protocols do not exist in a significant number of anaesthesia departments. This review aims to discuss contemporary evidence for preventing and managing risk factors for neuronal injury, mechanisms of injury, and neuroprotection interventions that lead to improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, a summary of existing RCTs and large observational studies are examined to determine which strategies are supported by science and which lack definitive evidence. We have established that the overall evidence for pharmacological neuroprotection is weak. Most neuroprotective strategies are based on animal studies, which cannot be fully extrapolated to the human population, and there is still no consensus on the optimal neuroprotective strategies for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Large multicenter studies using universal standardised neurological fallout definitions are still required to evaluate the beneficial effects of the existing neuroprotective techniques.

Acute Ischemic Stroke in COVID-19: Putative Mechanisms, Clinical Characteristics, and Management

The emergence and spread of the highly contagious novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have triggered the greatest public health challenge of the last century. Aside from being a primary respiratory disease, acute ischemic stroke has emerged as a complication of the disease. While current evidence shows COVID-19 could cause ischemic stroke especially in severe disease, there are similarities in the risk factors for severe COVID-19 as well as ischemic stroke, underscoring the complex relationship between these two conditions. The pandemic has created challenges for acute stroke care. Rapid assessment and time-sensitive interventions required for optimum outcomes in acute stroke care have been complicated by COVID-19 due to the need for disease transmission preventive measures. The purpose of this article is to explore the putative mechanisms of ischemic stroke in COVID-19 and the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients who develop ischemic stroke. In addition, we discuss the challenges of managing acute ischemic stroke in the setting of COVID-19 and review current management guidelines. We also highlighted potential areas for future research.

Neuroprotection against stroke and encephalopathy after cardiac surgery

Cerebral ischemia in the perioperative period is a major risk factor for stroke, encephalopathy, and cognitive decline after cardiothoracic surgery. After coronary artery bypass grafting, both stroke and encephalopathy can result in poor patient outcomes and increased mortality. Neuroprotection aims to lessen the severity and occurrence of further injury mediated by stroke and encephalopathy and to aid the recovery of conditions already present. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of neuroprotection have been investigated in experimental studies and in animal models, and, although some have shown effectiveness in protection of the central nervous system, for most, clinical research is lacking or did not show the expected results. This review summarizes the value and need for neuroprotection in the context of cardiothoracic surgery and examines the use and effectiveness of several agents and methods with an emphasis on clinical trials and clinically relevant neuroprotectants.