News releases 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 News Click on the link to see the full item 2008 September WSC Congress Summary 2008 April EPITHET – Echoplanar Imaging Thrombolytic Evaluation Trial March LDL not always the best predictor of stroke risk January Thrombolysis with alteplase is cost-effective and offers large long-term savings 2007 December Antiplatelet therapy in cerebrovascular disease: review of recent trials and clinical implications December Haemorrhagic stroke in SPARCL study December Alcohol consumption and risk of stroke among Chinese men November Tissue plasminogen activator for ischaemic stroke: highly effective, reasonably safe and grossly underused November Stroke risk: midlife women have a 2.39-fold higher stroke risk than midlife men October MRI-based and CT-based thrombolytic therapy in acute stroke within and beyond established time windows October Current developments in thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke reviewed October Effect of urgent treatment of transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke on early recurrent stroke (EXPRESS) study: a prospective population-based sequential comparison September Is the "Stroke Belt" worn from childhood? September Determinants of plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide after acute ischaemic stroke or TIA September Can patients at elevated risk of stroke treated with anticoagulants be further risk stratified? September Mechanism behind platelet function and potentially fatal blood clot formation identified September New studies have shown that women who have a history of migraine preceded by visual disturbances can be at a 10 time higher risk for stroke when compared to women without migraine. August UK has worst outcome for stroke in Western Europe August Statin treatment withdrawal in ischaemic stroke - a controlled randomised study August Healthline responses to a stroke scenario: urgent need for education June 2006 29 June Magnetic stimulation safely improves motor function after stroke 16 June EEF findings predict post-stroke seizure 16 June A third of stroke patients need long-term healthcare support 15 June Haemostatic changes damaging to stroke outcome 14 June Mortality increased when ischaemic stroke treated with t-PA 08 June Oral anticoagulation best for preventing stroke during atrial fibrillation May 2006 29 May Early CRP predicts mortality in stroke thrombolysis candidates 19 May ESPRIT results confirm first-line status of ER-Dipyridamole (ER-DP) + Aspirin (ASA) 12 May Stroke induces cell channel opening linked to neuron death 11 May EMS responses and acute stroke care prompt in poor areas 10 May Anticoagulation often cannot be started in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation 05 May Persistent pain common after stroke 05 May MRI helps identify ischaemic stroke patients likely to benefit from t-PA 05 May New guidelines outline stroke prevention strategies April 2006 24 April Prior use of antiplatelet-ACE inhibitor-statin combo curbs stroke severity 20 April Effects of t-PA most likely occur in the first hour after infusion 18 April Stroke thrombolysis risky in very old patients 17 April Constraint-induced therapy effective in stroke March 2006 31 March Risks need weighing in thrombolysis of stroke in pregnancy 24 March Aspirin equally effective in reducing platelet clumping in men and women 23 March Death due to cardiac causes nearly doubles after first ischaemic stroke 22 March New thrombolytic agent "acceptable" for acute ischaemic stroke in Taiwanese 22 March Potential biomarker of acute haemorrhagic stroke identified 15 March Thrombus prevention device shows promise in AF patients 14 March The combination of clopidogrel and aspirin show no benefit compared aspirin mono therapy in the reduction of CVD events – Results of the CHARISMA trial 14 March AFFIRM trial reveals gender differences in warfarin response 13 March Stroke incidence remains stable despite increased prevention 10 March Racial discrepancies in warfarin use revealed 10 March Late infusion of t-PA after stroke associated with significant success rate 10 March Clopidogrel 'a reasonable option' for children with stroke 09 March ASPECTS cut-off for thrombolysis determined 07 March Most clots dissolve within 1 hour of thrombolysis 07 March Hemineglect common in hemiparetic stroke patients 06 March Ambulance arrival only modifiable predictor of speedy stroke admission 06 March Age not related to incidence of ICH after thrombolysis 03 March Citicoline shows clinical promise for ICH treatment February 2006 28 February Relationship of CT findings to lesion extent determined 28 February Over 90% of stroke survivors adhere to aspirin regimen 24 February Relevance of PROGRESS findings to primary care questioned 23 February Study fuels very elderly stroke thrombolysis debate 23 February Clinical stroke assessment 'streamlined' 22 February Large variations in stroke mortality among Western countries 21 February Routine telemetry urged to identify new arrhythmias after stroke 20 February Stroke-associated infection not independently linked to poor outcome 17 February Lower t-PA dose reduces continued bleeding risk after ICH 17 February Stroke risk highest in young and newly diagnosed diabetes 17 February Ambulance arrivals get faster stroke care 16 February Thrombolysis possible with stroke on awakening 16 February Flexible consent procedures improve stroke trial recruitment 15 February Circadian BP patterns tied to stroke risk 15 February No secondary stroke prevention bias against elderly 14 February Metabolic syndrome linked to stroke risk 13 February Minority of stroke patients receive t-PA, often due to treatment delay 13 February Microbubbles speed ultrasound-enhanced clot lysis in stroke 10 February Blood pressure indices predict stroke mortality 09 February Neuroprotective agent improves outcome after ischaemic stroke 08 February Stroke thrombolysis safe at community hospitals 06 February Endovascular recanalisation therapy effective in acute ischaemic stroke 04 February Stroke risk highest shortly after ACS 03 February Racial and gender disparities found in stroke diagnosis 03 February Different causes underlie internal and cortical border-zone infarcts 02 February ICA restrictive index predicts cardiovascular events January 2006 30 January Guidelines recommend aggressive treatment after TIA or stroke 30 January Patent foramen ovale deemed not to be a risk factor for stroke 26 January Extent of stroke reduction by dietary fruits and vegetables quantified 24 January Vibrating insoles improve balance in patients with stroke and neuropathy 23 January Telemedicine-guided carotid and transcranial ultrasound - a pilot feasibility study 23 January Antiplatelet drugs in the secondary prevention after stroke - differential efficacy in large versus small vessel disease? A subgroup analysis from ESPS-2 23 January Aspirin use may be safe for some after intracerebral haemorrhage 23 January Prompt treatment key to successful reversal of anticoagulation 22 January Prolonged low-dose intravenous thrombolysis in a stroke patient with distal basilar thrombus 17 January Metabolic syndrome risk factor for stroke in nondiabetics 17 January Aspirin prevents cardiovascular disease in healthy adults 13 January Fluoxetine counters emotional disturbances after stroke 12 January Enzyme triggers plaque rupture in hardened arteries, causing heart attack and stroke 12 January Risk factors for brain haemorrhage in cerebral ischaemia patients identified 12 January Hyperglycaemia after subarachnoid haemorrhage tied to poor outcome 08 January Nearly 2 million neurons die each minute of a stroke 06 January Neuromuscular stimulation helpful in post-stroke walking rehabilitation 04 January Biomarkers predict risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke 03 January Aspirin use before intracerebral haemorrhage tied to poor outcome December 2005 29 December Age no bar to thrombolysis for stroke in octogenarians 26 December Higher baseline blood pressure is associated with better stroke outcomes 19 December Contralateral magnetic brain stimulation improves hand function after stroke 12 December Prevalence of peptic ulcers high during low-dose aspirin use 09 December Patent foramen ovale not a risk factor for stroke 09 December Mitral annular calcification strong risk factor for stroke 05 December Stroke risk greatly increased after MI 05 December Recombinant factor VIIa may be useful for intracerebral haemorrhage November 2005 29 November Many patients with mild stroke worsen without t-PA treatment 28 November Inflammatory markers may help predict ischaemic stroke 22 November Heparin within 3 hours promising for acute cerebral infarction 21 November Strokes outstrip coronary disease in UK 18 November Heart failure increases stroke risk post-MI 14 November Doppler study identifies asymptomatic carotid stenosis warranting surgery 14 November Chorioamnionitis tied to intraventricular haemorrhage in premature infants 11 November CPAP prevents vascular events after stroke in sleep apnoea patients 10 November Anticoagulation therapy underprescribed in AF patients 04 November Elevated pulse pressure increases risk of stroke recurrence 03 November Thermal stimulation may speed recovery in hemiplegic stroke patients 01 November Emergency department blood pressure predicts stroke survival October 2005 31 October Adults, children face same post-BAVM haemorrhage risk 27 October Air pollution linked to increased risk of ischaemic stroke 24 October Tirofiban helps lyse clots in stroke patients 24 October Alcohol consumption inhibits platelet activation 21 October Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist safe and possibly effective for acute stroke 21 October Antiplatelet therapy affects acute deterioration of intracerebral haemorrhage 19 October Stenting appears safe and effective for acute ICA strokes 10 October Retinopathy independently linked to stroke in non-diabetics 7 October Treadmill training improves post-stroke mobility and fitness 6 October More stroke patients might benefit from t-PA 6 October Acupuncture ineffective for stroke rehabilitation August 2005 31 August Genetic polymorphisms modulate stroke risk after cardiac surgery 30 August Robotic arm training improves motor control in paretic arm after stroke 30 August Migraine may predispose to cervical artery dissection 29 August Alcohol use, apolipoprotein E genotype influence stroke risk 26 August Shock wave therapy useful for upper limb hypertonia after stroke 23 August Early treatment with abciximab may improve stroke outcomes 18 August Magnetic stimulation may improve function after stroke 17 August Headache may be the only symptom of cerebral venous thrombosis 15 August Transthoracic echocardiography helpful in ischaemic stroke 10 August Stopping aspirin therapy triples stroke risk 09 August Asthma increases stroke risk 08 August Standardised orders may improve stroke treatment 05 August Exercise reduces stroke risk advertisement 04 August Spousal smoking raises risk of stroke 03 August Metabolic syndrome linked to intracranial atherosclerotic stroke July 2005 28 July Stroke survival seen better for blacks than whites 28 July Symptoms of right-brain stroke make diagnosis more difficult 27 July University heads stroke research 26 July Gene variant linked to stroke risk in PAD patients taking clopidogrel 19 July Ultrasound may help thrombolysis in brain ischaemia 18 July MMP-9 may make useful target for anti-stroke agents 15 July t-PA more likely to open blocked cerebral arteries in women than men 13 July Influenza vaccination may reduce stroke risk 12 July Metabolic syndrome increases stroke risk in elderly June 2005 24 June Even Infants Can Suffer Stroke 24 June ABCD score predicts risk of early stroke after TIA 17 June New recommendations for advanced stroke care 16 June Less than half event-free 10 years after TIA or small stroke 10 June Short, intense training improves language skills in stroke survivors 10 June Doppler signals may point to stroke risk in carotid stenosis 08 June Moderate aspirin doses linked to increased bleeding risk 07 June Abciximab helpful in vertebrobasilar stroke May 2005 27 May ECASS 3 trial design changed - expanded time window 3-4.5 hours 25 May Carotid stenting inferior to medical therapy for blunt cerebrovascular injury 19 May Blacks still at increased risk for stroke and related deaths in US 19 May Risks may outweigh benefits of routine low-dose aspirin for elderly 17 May Germany and France slow to give t-PA to stroke patients 17 May Migraine with aura may increase the stroke risk 16 May Most stroke patients do not receive recommended treatments 13 May Virtual reality could promote motor recovery in stroke patients 10 May Thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: results of the Canadian Alteplase for Stroke Effectiveness Study 06 May Aspirin non-responsiveness hard to assess in stroke patients 03 May Haemorrhage common in elderly atrial fibrillation patients on warfarin 03 May Many emergency physicians reluctant to use t-PA for strokes April 2005 25 April Clopidogrel with aspirin after stroke reduces microembolisms 20 April Stroke common after transient ischaemic attacks 11 April Hyperoxia may help acute stroke patients 04 April Triple antiplatelet therapy 'no better' than dual therapy March 2005 30 March Aspirin better than warfarin for intracranial arterial stenosis 25 March Multimodal technique points to stroke candidates for late t-PA 23 March Migraine, headache, and the risk of stroke in women: a prospective study 13 March The Reanalysis of the ESPS-2 trial in high risk patients has been published this month in the Archives of Neurology 11 March Tenecteplase promising in ischemic stroke therapy 08 March Antiplatelet use predicts ICH mortality 07 March TIAs occur hours or days before a stroke February 2005 16 February Stroke patients benefit from early supported discharge and home rehab 11 February Use of electronic checklist greatly improves care of stroke patients 10 February Migraine with loss-of-vision aura a risk factor for stroke in women 07 February Prophylactic aspirin may reduce severity of strokes compared with other antithrombotics 04 February High fat, sodium intake are risk factors for stroke 04 February Bat saliva drug may widen treatment window for stroke 03 February TIA management 'not aggressive enough' 03 February Early hospital disch