International Stroke Conference 2011

The International Stroke Conference is on again this time in Los Angeles; (it's always in the US). We have briefly summarized a few of the presentations so far - it's worth checking out the excellent ISC Science News site. 


ER evaluation of TIA
Devin Brown
The ongoing unanswerable question is 'what is a TIA?' I love the link to this slide TIA is a mini stroke?  from a talk by Devin Brown on ER evaluation of TIA.  Dr Brown suggests in her slides that the AHA guidelines and an etiology hunt can find TIA, which will indicate a coming stroke. She warn that to miss TIA is to miss an opportunity window 



Drip and Ship Thrombolytic Therapy
Jennifer Cohn, MSN, CNRN, Indiana University Health Presentation slides
This presentation is to open discussion of the development of partnerships with emergent stroke ready hospitals.
What a great idea - I wonder how this would work, or if it could work in the developing world?


SWALLOW-3D, a Simple 2-minute Bedside Screening Test, Detects Dysphagia in Acute Stroke Patients With High Sensitivity When Validated Against Video-Fluoroscopy
Jeff Edmiaston, Washington University in St. Louis Presentation slides
Certainly an interesting presentation; however, some factors seem to missing which makes the study less than comprehensive; though a great possible screening tool - IJS looks forward to gathering further information on this study.

South African Stroke Guidelines article in IJS inbox

The South African Guideline for the Management of Ischaemic Stroke and TIA: Recommendations for a resource constrained health care setting JUST ARRIVED IN IJS inbox; very excited - an excellent piece from Alan Bryer and co. (Bryer A, Connor MD, Haug P, Cheyip B, Staub H, Tipping B, Duim B, Pinkney-Atkinson V).

OBJECTIVE

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in South Africa. As in other developing countries, an increase in the burden of stroke is predicted as the population is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition with increased exposure to, and development of, stroke risk factors, together with aging of the population.

Most published stroke guidelines emanate from developed countries that have more comprehensive stroke services and resources available for their citizens. Such guidelines are therefore not always applicable to countries with limited resources.

The objective of the South African Stroke Guideline  was to develop realistic and appropriate recommendations within the current South African context of a resource constrained health care system.