Stroke. 2006;37:1583. A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council: Cosponsored by the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group; Cardiovascular Nursing Council; Clinical Cardiology Council; Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Council; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline.

Reversible ischemic neurologic deficit (RIND) occurs when blood flow to your brain is temporarily restricted. Doctors consider it a minor ischemic stroke, or mini-stroke. RIND increases your risk of a subsequent major stroke. Updated: 09/26/2005

Stroke. 1995;26:1358-1360. © 1995 American Heart Association, Inc. Conclusions: Early spontaneous improvement after ischemic stroke may occur in a substantial proportion of patients and more commonly after lacunar stroke. Even so, the majority of patients with acutely disabling stroke will remain significantly impaired 1 week after stroke onset.

BMC Neurology 2006, 6:20. doi:10.1186/1471-2377-6-20. Conclusion: In a large cohort of patients with stroke or TIA, three targeted quality-improvement measures improved among hospitals participating in a disease-specific registry. Although the changes could be attributed to interventions other than the registry, these findings demonstrate the potential for hospital-level interventions to improve care for patients with stroke and TIA.

Nursing Standard. 21, 14-16, 50-57. Date of acceptance: August 1 2006. This article provides an overview of transient ischaemic attack (TIA). It discusses the clinical presentation of TIA, its significance as a marker of vascular risk, key diagnostic interventions and management strategies. Trends and challenges in service provision and the roles of specialist and general nurses in managing patients with TIA are explored.

The ESPRIT Study Group; Halkes PH, van Gijn J, Kappelle LJ, Koudstaal PJ, Algra A. Aspirin plus dipyridamole versus aspirin alone after cerebral ischaemia of arterial origin (ESPRIT): randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2006; 367:1665–1673.

Risk factors for stroke should be evaluated in patients who have had a transient ischemic attack. Blood pressure, lipid levels, and diabetes mellitus should be controlled. When applicable, smoking cessation and weight loss also are important. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy may help prevent stroke. Aspirin is the treatment of choice for stroke prevention in patients who do not require anticoagulation. Clopidogrel is an alternative therapy in patients who do not tolerate aspirin. Atrial fibrillation, a known cardioembolic source (confirmed thrombus), or a highly suspected cardioembolic source (e.g., recent large myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, mechanical valve, rheumatic mitral valve stenosis) are indications for anticoagulation. (Am Fam Physician 2004;69:1681-8. Copyright© 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians.)

Arch Pathol Lab Med—Vol 131, June 2007. Conclusions: Certain tests, such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, antiphospholipid antibodies, and lipoprotein(a), may be useful in patients with a history of stroke or at high risk for stroke, as evidenced by prospective data. Factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, protein C, protein S, and antithrombin are not recommended for routine testing but may be useful in certain populations, such as in pediatric patients or in patients with cerebral vein thrombosis.

Can J Emerg Med 2006;8(1):54-7. Conclusions: Many centres are gaining experience using the combined IV-IA thrombolytic approach as a treatment option for carefully selected individuals with severe acute ischemic stroke, although it remains an investigational procedure that awaits further study in randomized trials.

The Brain Attack Coalition is a group of professional, voluntary and governmental entities dedicated to reducing the occurrence, disabilities and death associated with stroke. The goal of the Coalition is to strengthen and promote the relationships among its member organizations in order to help stroke patients or those who are at risk for a stroke.

Links and information about strokes

Although there is scant information on childhood strokes, the same rapid diagnosis promoted for adults should help save young brains.

Information and support

Stroke. 2006;37:1407. Conclusions— A high Lp(a) concentration is associated with a higher incidence of ischemic stroke in blacks and white women, but not in white men.

J Neurosci Nurs. 2005;37(5):243-248. ©2005 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Posted 11/01/2005

April 2005 Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US. Fortunately, diagnostic imaging for stroke risk and stroke-prevention strategies have advanced greatly in recent years. It is now possible to reduce the artery-clogging plaque that leads to stroke, offering hope that this debilitating condition can be prevented.

Vertebro-basilar artery TIA's - account for about 7% of TIAs - clinical features are more diverse than those that may occur in carotid artery TIA's.

National Stroke Association is reaching new heights in stroke. As the preeminent organization committed to fighting stroke in this country, NSA is providing unprecedented national expertise and leadership for those at risk, suffering or recovering from this devastating condition.

This website will be constantly updated!

Has links and a message board

Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 2000 Mar 23;89(13):542-8.

Information and on-line stroke support group