15 research outputs found

    Effective Synthesis Procedure Based on Microwave Heating of the PdCo Aerogel Electrocatalyst for Its Use in Microfluidic Devices

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    Unsupported PdCo aerogels were successfully synthesized by means of microwave heating. The use of this heating methodology provides some advantages compared to conventional heating in terms of saving synthesis time and improved physicochemical properties (i.e., greater surface area and mesoporosity). The combination of palladium with cobalt reduces the dependence of the noble metal and increases the electrocatalytic performance in the ethanol oxidation reaction due to a higher percentage of Pd0 in the PdCo aerogel, confirmed using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. For the application in energy conversion electrochemical systems, the catalytic activity of aerogels was evaluated in a microfluidic fuel cell that uses ethanol as fuel, where the PdCo aerogel synthesized by microwave heating exhibited great performance with 330 mA cm-2 current density, tripling the value of the palladium-based aerogel.The authors thank Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y TecnologĂ­as (CONAHCYT) for funding through the Ciencia de Frontera 2020-845132.Peer reviewe

    Penumbral Rescue by normobaric O = O administration in patients with ischemic stroke and target mismatch proFile (PROOF): Study protocol of a phase IIb trial.

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    Oxygen is essential for cellular energy metabolism. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to hypoxia. Increasing oxygen supply shortly after stroke onset could preserve the ischemic penumbra until revascularization occurs. PROOF investigates the use of normobaric oxygen (NBO) therapy within 6 h of symptom onset/notice for brain-protective bridging until endovascular revascularization of acute intracranial anterior-circulation occlusion. Randomized (1:1), standard treatment-controlled, open-label, blinded endpoint, multicenter adaptive phase IIb trial. Primary outcome is ischemic core growth (mL) from baseline to 24 h (intention-to-treat analysis). Secondary efficacy outcomes include change in NIHSS from baseline to 24 h, mRS at 90 days, cognitive and emotional function, and quality of life. Safety outcomes include mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, and respiratory failure. Exploratory analyses of imaging and blood biomarkers will be conducted. Using an adaptive design with interim analysis at 80 patients per arm, up to 456 participants (228 per arm) would be needed for 80% power (one-sided alpha 0.05) to detect a mean reduction of ischemic core growth by 6.68 mL, assuming 21.4 mL standard deviation. By enrolling endovascular thrombectomy candidates in an early time window, the trial replicates insights from preclinical studies in which NBO showed beneficial effects, namely early initiation of near 100% inspired oxygen during short temporary ischemia. Primary outcome assessment at 24 h on follow-up imaging reduces variability due to withdrawal of care and early clinical confounders such as delayed extubation and aspiration pneumonia. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03500939; EudraCT: 2017-001355-31

    Anålisis de recursos asistenciales para el ictus en España en 2012: ¿beneficios de la Estrategia del Ictus del Sistema Nacional de Salud?

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    Resumen: IntroducciĂłn: La Estrategia del Ictus del Sistema Nacional de Salud (EISNS) fue un documento de consenso entre las distintas administraciones y sociedades cientĂ­ficas que se desarrollĂł con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad del proceso asistencial y garantizar la equidad territorial. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar los recursos asistenciales existentes y si se habĂ­a cumplido el objetivo de la EISNS. Material y mĂ©todos: La encuesta sobre los recursos disponibles se realizĂł por un comitĂ© de neurĂłlogos de cada una de las comunidades autĂłnomas (CC.AA), los cuales tambiĂ©n realizaron la encuesta de 2008. Los Ă­tems incluidos fueron el nĂșmero de Unidades de Ictus (UI), su dotaciĂłn (monitorizaciĂłn, neurĂłlogo 24 h/7 dĂ­as, ratio enfermerĂ­a, protocolos), ratio cama UI/100.000 habitantes, recursos diagnĂłsticos (ecografĂ­a cardĂ­aca y arterial cerebral, neuroimagen avanzada), realizaciĂłn de trombolisis intravenosa, intervencionismo neurovascular (INV), cirugĂ­a del infarto maligno de la arteria cerebral media (ACM) y disponibilidad de la telemedicina. Resultados: Se incluyeron datos de 136 hospitales. Existen 45 UI distribuidas de un modo desigual. La relaciĂłn cama de UI por habitantes y comunidad autĂłnoma oscilĂł entre 1/74.000 a 1/1.037.000 habitantes, cumpliendo el objetivo solo Cantabria y Navarra. Se realizaron por neurĂłlogos 3.237 trombolisis intravenosas en 83 hospitales, con un porcentaje respecto del total de ictus isquĂ©mico entre el 0,3 y el 33,7%. Los hospitales sin UI tenĂ­an una disponibilidad variable de recursos. Se realiza INV en todas las CC.AA salvo La Rioja, la disponibilidad del INV 24 h/7 dĂ­as solo existe en 17 ciudades. Hay 46 centros con cirugĂ­a del infarto maligno de la ACM y 5 con telemedicina. ConclusiĂłn: La asistencia al ictus ha mejorado en cuanto al incremento de hospitales participantes, la mayor aplicaciĂłn de trombolisis intravenosa y procedimientos endovasculares, tambiĂ©n en la cirugĂ­a del infarto maligno de la ACM, pero con insuficiente implantaciĂłn de UI y de la telemedicina. La disponibilidad de recursos diagnĂłsticos es buena en la mayorĂ­a de las UI, e irregular en el resto de hospitales. Las distintas CC.AA deben avanzar para garantizar el mejor tratamiento y equidad territorial, y asĂ­ conseguir el objetivo de la EISNS. Abstract: Introduction: The Spanish Health System's stroke care strategy (EISNS) is a consensus statement that was drawn up by various government bodies and scientific societies with the aim of improving quality throughout the care process and ensuring equality among regions. Our objective is to analyse existing healthcare resources and establish whether they have met EISNS targets. Material and methods: The survey on available resources was conducted by a committee of neurologists representing each of Spain's regions; the same committee also conducted the survey of 2008. The items included were the number of stroke units (SU), their resources (monitoring, neurologists on call 24 h/7d, nurse ratio, protocols), SU bed ratio/100 000 inhabitants, diagnostic resources (cardiac and cerebral arterial ultrasound, advanced neuroimaging), performing iv thrombolysis, neurovascular interventional radiology (neuro VIR), surgery for malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions and telemedicine availability. Results: We included data from 136 hospitals and found 45 Stroke Units distributed unequally among regions. The ratio of SU beds to residents ranged from 1/74,000 to 1/1,037,000 inhabitants; only the regions of Cantabria and Navarre met the target. Neurologists performed 3,237 intravenous thrombolysis procedures in 83 hospitals; thrombolysis procedures compared to the total of ischaemic strokes yielded percentages ranging from 0.3 to 33.7%. Hospitals without SUs showed varying levels of available resources. Neuro VIR is performed in every region except La Rioja, and VIR is only available on a 24 h/7 d basis in 17 cities. Surgery for malignant MCA infarction is performed in 46 hospitals, and 5 have telemedicine. Conclusion: Stroke care has improved in terms of numbers of participating hospitals, the increased use of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular procedures, and surgery for malignant MCA infarction. Implementation of SUs and telemedicine remain insufficient. The availability of diagnostic resources is good in most SUs and irregular in other hospitals. Regional governments should strive to ensure better care and territorial equality, which would achieve the EISNS objectives. Palabras clave: Unidad de ictus, Tratamiento ictus, Encuesta recursos, Trombolisis, Keywords: Stroke unit, Stroke treatment, Stroke facilities survey, Thrombolysi

    Analysis of stroke care resources in Spain in 2012: Have we benefitted from the Spanish Health System's stroke care strategy?

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    Introduction: The Spanish Health System's stroke care strategy (EISNS) is a consensus statement that was drawn up by various government bodies and scientific societies with the aim of improving quality throughout the care process and ensuring equality among regions. Our objective is to analyse existing healthcare resources and establish whether they have met EISNS targets. Material and methods: The survey on available resources was conducted by a committee of neurologists representing each of Spain's regions; the same committee also conducted the survey of 2008. The items included were the number of stroke units (SU), their resources (monitoring, neurologists on call 24 hours/7 days, nurse ratio, protocols), SU bed ratio/100 000 inhabitants, diagnostic resources (cardiac and cerebral arterial ultrasound, advanced neuroimaging), performing intravenous thrombolysis, neurovascular interventional radiology (neuro VIR), surgery for malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions and telemedicine availability. Results: We included data from 136 hospitals and found 45 Stroke Units distributed unequally among regions. The ratio of SU beds to residents ranged from 1/74 000 to 1/1 037 000 inhabitants; only the regions of Cantabria and Navarre met the target. Neurologists performed 3237 intravenous thrombolysis procedures in 83 hospitals; thrombolysis procedures compared to the total of ischaemic strokes yielded percentages ranging from 0.3% to 33.7%. Hospitals without SUs showed varying levels of available resources. Neuro VIR is performed in every region except La Rioja, and VIR is only available on a 24 hours/7 days basis in 17 cities. Surgery for malignant MCA infarction is performed in 46 hospitals, and 5 have telemedicine. Conclusion: Stroke care has improved in terms of numbers of participating hospitals, the increased use of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular procedures, and surgery for malignant MCA infarction. Implementation of SUs and telemedicine remain insufficient. The availability of diagnostic resources is good in most SUs and irregular in other hospitals. Regional governments should strive to ensure better care and territorial equality, which would achieve the EISNS objectives. Resumen: IntroducciĂłn: La Estrategia del Ictus del Sistema Nacional de Salud (EISNS) fue un documento de consenso entre las distintas administraciones y sociedades cientĂ­ficas que se desarrollĂł con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad del proceso asistencial y garantizar la equidad territorial. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar los recursos asistenciales existentes y si se habĂ­a cumplido el objetivo de la EISNS. Material y mĂ©todos: La encuesta sobre los recursos disponibles se realizĂł por un comitĂ© de neurĂłlogos de cada una de las comunidades autĂłnomas (CC.AA), los cuales tambiĂ©n realizaron la encuesta de 2008. Los Ă­tems incluidos fueron el nĂșmero de Unidades de Ictus (UI), su dotaciĂłn (monitorizaciĂłn, neurĂłlogo 24 h/7 dĂ­as, ratio enfermerĂ­a, protocolos), ratio cama UI/100.000 habitantes, recursos diagnĂłsticos (ecografĂ­a cardĂ­aca y arterial cerebral, neuroimagen avanzada), realizaciĂłn de trombolisis intravenosa, intervencionismo neurovascular (INV), cirugĂ­a del infarto maligno de la arteria cerebral media (ACM) y disponibilidad de la telemedicina. Resultados: Se incluyeron datos de 136 hospitales. Existen 45 UI distribuidas de un modo desigual. La relaciĂłn cama de UI por habitantes y comunidad autĂłnoma oscilĂł entre 1/74.000 a 1/1.037.000 habitantes, cumpliendo el objetivo solo Cantabria y Navarra. Se realizaron por neurĂłlogos 3.237 trombolisis intravenosas en 83 hospitales, con un porcentaje respecto del total de ictus isquĂ©mico entre el 0,3 y el 33,7%. Los hospitales sin UI tenĂ­an una disponibilidad variable de recursos. Se realiza INV en todas las CC.AA salvo La Rioja, la disponibilidad del INV 24 h/7 dĂ­as solo existe en 17 ciudades. Hay 46 centros con cirugĂ­a del infarto maligno de la ACM y 5 con telemedicina. ConclusiĂłn: La asistencia al ictus ha mejorado en cuanto al incremento de hospitales participantes, la mayor aplicaciĂłn de trombolisis intravenosa y procedimientos endovasculares, tambiĂ©n en la cirugĂ­a del infarto maligno de la ACM, pero con insuficiente implantaciĂłn de UI y de la telemedicina. La disponibilidad de recursos diagnĂłsticos es buena en la mayorĂ­a de las UI, e irregular en el resto de hospitales. Las distintas CC.AA deben avanzar para garantizar el mejor tratamiento y equidad territorial, y asĂ­ conseguir el objetivo de la EISNS. Keywords: Stroke unit, Stroke treatment, Stroke facilities survey, Thrombolysis, Palabras clave: Unidad de ictus, Tratamiento ictus, Encuesta recursos, Trombolisi

    Health care resources for stroke patients in Spain, 2010: Analysis of a national survey by the Cerebrovascular Diseases Study Group

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    Introduction: Stroke is currently a major social health problem. For this reason, the Spanish Ministry of Health approved the Stroke National Strategy (SNS) in 2008 to improve the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients. This plan intends to guarantee 24-h, 365-days neurological assistance in the whole country by the end of 2010. Our aim was to analyze the situation of stroke assistance in Spain in 2009. Material and methods: A committee of neurologists practicing in the different autonomous communities (AC), and who had not participated in the preparation of the SNS, was created. A national survey was performed including the number of stroke units (SU) and their characteristics (monitoring, 24-h/7-day on-call neurology service, nursing staff ratio and the use of protocols), bed ratio of SU/100,000 people, availability of intravenous thrombolysis therapy, neurovascular intervention (NI) and telemedicine. Results: We included data from 145 hospitals. There are 39 SUs in Spain, unevenly distributed. The ratio between SU bed/number of people/AC varied from 1/75,000 to 1/1,037,000 inhabitants; Navarra and Cantabria met the goal. Intravenous thrombolysis therapy is used in 80 hospitals; the number of treatments per AC was between 7 and 536 in 2008. NI was performed in 63% of the AC, with a total of 28 qualified hospitals (although only 1 hospital performed it 24 h, 7 days a week in 2009). There were 3 hospitals offering clinical telemedicine services. Conclusions: Assistance for stroke patients has improved in Spain compared to previous years, but there are still some important differences between the AC that must be eliminated to achieve the objectives of the SNS. Resumen: IntroducciĂłn: El ictus constituye un importante problema sociosanitario. Por ese motivo, el Ministerio de Sanidad aprobĂł en 2008 la Estrategia Nacional en Ictus (ENI) con el objetivo de mejorar la prevenciĂłn, tratamiento y rehabilitaciĂłn del paciente con ictus. Se pretende garantizar una atenciĂłn neurolĂłgica en todo el paĂ­s y a cualquier hora del dĂ­a para final del 2010. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la situaciĂłn de la atenciĂłn al ictus en España en el año 2009. Material y mĂ©todos: Se constituyĂł un comitĂ© de neurĂłlogos de las diferentes CC. AA. que no hubieran participado en la ENI. Se elaborĂł una encuesta nacional que recogiĂł el nĂșmero de unidades de ictus (UI) y la dotaciĂłn (monitorizaciĂłn, guardia de neurologĂ­a 24 h/7 dĂ­as, ratio de enfermerĂ­a y existencia de protocolos), ratio cama UI/100.000 habitantes, presencia de trombĂłlisis iv, intervencionismo neurovascular (INV) y telemedicina. Resultados: Se incluyeron datos de 145 hospitales. Existen 39 UI distribuidas de un modo desigual. La relaciĂłn cama de UI/nĂșmero de habitantes/comunidad autĂłnoma oscilĂł entre 1/75.000 a 1/1.037.000 habitantes, cumpliendo el objetivo Navarra y Cantabria. Se realiza trombĂłlisis iv en 80 hospitales, el nĂșmero oscilĂł entre 7-536 tratamientos/CC. AA. durante el año 2008. Se realiza INV en el 63% de las CC. AA., teniendo 28 centros capacitados, aunque sĂłlo 1 la realizaba en 2009 las 24 h/7 dĂ­a. Existen 3 centros con telemedicina. Conclusiones: La asistencia al ictus ha mejorado en España respecto a unos años atrĂĄs, pero todavĂ­a existen importantes desigualdades por CC. AA. que deberĂ­an superarse si se quiere cumplir el objetivo de la ENI. Keywords: Stroke, Stroke thrombolysis, Stroke unit, Facilities survey, Palabras clave: Ictus, Unidades de ictus, TrombĂłlisis, Encuesta recurso

    Recursos asistenciales en ictus en España 2010: anålisis de una encuesta nacional del Grupo de Estudio de Enfermedades Cerebrovasculares

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    Resumen: IntroducciĂłn: El ictus constituye un importante problema sociosanitario. Por ese motivo, el Ministerio de Sanidad aprobĂł en 2008 la Estrategia Nacional en Ictus (ENI) con el objetivo de mejorar la prevenciĂłn, tratamiento y rehabilitaciĂłn del paciente con ictus. Se pretende garantizar una atenciĂłn neurolĂłgica en todo el paĂ­s y a cualquier hora del dĂ­a para final del 2010. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la situaciĂłn de la atenciĂłn al ictus en España en el año 2009. Material y mĂ©todos: Se constituyĂł un comitĂ© de neurĂłlogos de las diferentes CC. AA. que no hubieran participado en la ENI. Se elaborĂł una encuesta nacional que recogiĂł el nĂșmero de unidades de ictus (UI) y la dotaciĂłn (monitorizaciĂłn, guardia de neurologĂ­a 24 h/7 dĂ­as, ratio de enfermerĂ­a y existencia de protocolos), ratio cama UI/100.000 habitantes, presencia de trombĂłlisis iv, intervencionismo neurovascular (INV) y telemedicina. Resultados: Se incluyeron datos de 145 hospitales. Existen 39 UI distribuidas de un modo desigual. La relaciĂłn cama de UI/nĂșmero de habitantes/comunidad autĂłnoma oscilĂł entre 1/75.000 a 1/1.037.000 habitantes, cumpliendo el objetivo Navarra y Cantabria. Se realiza trombĂłlisis iv en 80 hospitales, el nĂșmero oscilĂł entre 7-536 tratamientos/CC. AA. durante el año 2008. Se realiza INV en el 63% de las CC. AA., teniendo 28 centros capacitados, aunque sĂłlo 1 la realizaba en 2009 las 24 h/7 dĂ­a. Existen 3 centros con telemedicina. Conclusiones: La asistencia al ictus ha mejorado en España respecto a unos años atrĂĄs, pero todavĂ­a existen importantes desigualdades por CC. AA. que deberĂ­an superarse si se quiere cumplir el objetivo de la ENI. Abstract: Introduction: Stroke is currently a major social health problem. For this reason, the Spanish Ministry of Health approved the Stroke National Strategy (SNS) in 2008 to improve the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients. This plan intends to guarantee 24-hour, 365-days neurological assistance in the whole country by the end of 2010. Our aim was to analyse the situation of stroke assistance in Spain in 2009. Material and methods: A committee of neurologists practicing in the different autonomous communities (AC), and who had not participated in the preparation of the SNS, was created. A national survey was performed including the number of stroke units (SU) and their characteristics (monitoring, 24-h/7-day on-call neurology service, nursing staff ratio and the use of protocols), bed ratio of SU/100,000 people, availability of intravenous thrombolysis therapy, neurovascular intervention (NI) and telemedicine. Results: We included data from 145 hospitals. There are 39 SU in Spain, unevenly distributed. The ratio between SU bed/number of people/AC varied from 1/75,000 to 1/1,037,000 inhabitants; Navarra and Cantabria met the goal. Intravenous thrombolysis therapy is used in 80 hospitals; the number of treatments per AC was between 7 and 536 in 2008. NI was performed in the 63% of the AC, with a total of 28 qualified hospitals (although only 1 hospital performed it 24 h, 7 days a week in 2009). There were 3 hospitals offering clinical telemedicine services. Conclusions: Assistance for stroke patients has improved in Spain compared to previous years, but there are still some important differences between the AC that must be eliminated to achieve the objectives of the SNS. Palabras clave: Ictus, Unidades de ictus, TrombĂłlisis, Encuesta recursos, Keywords: Stroke, Stroke thrombolysis, Stroke unit, Facilities surve

    Penumbral Rescue by Normobaric O=O Administration in Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Target Mismatch ProFile (PROOF): Study Protocol of a Phase IIb Trial.

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    RATIONALE Oxygen is essential for cellular energy metabolism. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to hypoxia. Increasing oxygen supply shortly after stroke onset could preserve the ischemic penumbra until revascularization occurs. AIMS PROOF investigates the use of normobaric oxygen therapy (NBO) within six hours of symptom onset/notice for brain-protective bridging until endovascular revascularization of acute intracranial anterior circulation occlusion. METHODS AND DESIGN Randomized (1:1), standard treatment-controlled, open-label, blinded endpoint, multicenter adaptive phase IIb trial. STUDY OUTCOMES Primary outcome is ischemic core growth (mL) from baseline to 24 hours (intention-to-treat analysis). Secondary efficacy outcomes include change in NIHSS from baseline to 24 hours, mRS at 90 days, cognitive and emotional function, and quality of life. Safety outcomes include mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, and respiratory failure. Exploratory analyses of imaging and blood biomarkers are conducted. SAMPLE SIZE Using an adaptive design with interim analysis at 80 patients per arm, up to 456 participants (228 per arm) would be needed for 80% power (one-sided alpha 0.05) to detect a mean reduction of ischemic core growth by 6.68 mL, assuming 21.4 mL standard deviation. DISCUSSION By enrolling endovascular thrombectomy candidates in an early time window, the trial replicates insights from preclinical studies in which NBO showed beneficial effects, namely early initiation of near 100% inspired oxygen during short temporary ischemia. Primary outcome assessment at 24 hours on follow-up imaging reduces potential bias due to withdrawal of care and early clinical confounders such as delayed extubation and aspiration pneumonia. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03500939; EudraCT: 2017-001355-31

    Rivaroxaban or aspirin for patent foramen ovale and embolic stroke of undetermined source: a prespecified subgroup analysis from the NAVIGATE ESUS trial

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    Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a contributor to embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Subgroup analyses from previous studies suggest that anticoagulation could reduce recurrent stroke compared with antiplatelet therapy. We hypothesised that anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, would reduce the risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke compared with aspirin among patients with PFO enrolled in the NAVIGATE ESUS trial. Methods: NAVIGATE ESUS was a double-blinded, randomised, phase 3 trial done at 459 centres in 31 countries that assessed the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus aspirin for secondary stroke prevention in patients with ESUS. For this prespecified subgroup analysis, cohorts with and without PFO were defined on the basis of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). The primary efficacy outcome was time to recurrent ischaemic stroke between treatment groups. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding, according to the criteria of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. The primary analyses were based on the intention-to-treat population. Additionally, we did a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of studies in which patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO were randomly assigned to receive anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Findings: Between Dec 23, 2014, and Sept 20, 2017, 7213 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive rivaroxaban (n=3609) or aspirin (n=3604). Patients were followed up for a mean of 11 months because of early trial termination. PFO was reported as present in 534 (7·4%) patients on the basis of either TTE or TOE. Patients with PFO assigned to receive aspirin had a recurrent ischaemic stroke rate of 4·8 events per 100 person-years compared with 2·6 events per 100 person-years in those treated with rivaroxaban. Among patients with known PFO, there was insufficient evidence to support a difference in risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke between rivaroxaban and aspirin (hazard ratio [HR] 0·54; 95% CI 0·22–1·36), and the risk was similar for those without known PFO (1·06; 0·84–1·33; pinteraction=0·18). The risks of major bleeding with rivaroxaban versus aspirin were similar in patients with PFO detected (HR 2·05; 95% CI 0·51–8·18) and in those without PFO detected (HR 2·82; 95% CI 1·69–4·70; pinteraction=0·68). The random-effects meta-analysis combined data from NAVIGATE ESUS with data from two previous trials (PICSS and CLOSE) and yielded a summary odds ratio of 0·48 (95% CI 0·24–0·96; p=0·04) for ischaemic stroke in favour of anticoagulation, without evidence of heterogeneity. Interpretation: Among patients with ESUS who have PFO, anticoagulation might reduce the risk of recurrent stroke by about half, although substantial imprecision remains. Dedicated trials of anticoagulation versus antiplatelet therapy or PFO closure, or both, are warranted. Funding: Bayer and Janssen

    Effect of general anaesthesia on functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke having endovascular thrombectomy versus standard care: a meta-analysis of individual patient data

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    Background: General anaesthesia (GA) during endovascular thrombectomy has been associated with worse patient outcomes in observational studies compared with patients treated without GA. We assessed functional outcome in ischaemic stroke patients with large vessel anterior circulation occlusion undergoing endovascular thrombectomy under GA, versus thrombectomy not under GA (with or without sedation) versus standard care (ie, no thrombectomy), stratified by the use of GA versus standard care. Methods: For this meta-analysis, patient-level data were pooled from all patients included in randomised trials in PuMed published between Jan 1, 2010, and May 31, 2017, that compared endovascular thrombectomy predominantly done with stent retrievers with standard care in anterior circulation ischaemic stroke patients (HERMES Collaboration). The primary outcome was functional outcome assessed by ordinal analysis of the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days in the GA and non-GA subgroups of patients treated with endovascular therapy versus those patients treated with standard care, adjusted for baseline prognostic variables. To account for between-trial variance we used mixed-effects modelling with a random effect for trials incorporated in all models. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane method. The meta-analysis was prospectively designed, but not registered. Findings: Seven trials were identified by our search; of 1764 patients included in these trials, 871 were allocated to endovascular thrombectomy and 893 were assigned standard care. After exclusion of 74 patients (72 did not undergo the procedure and two had missing data on anaesthetic strategy), 236 (30%) of 797 patients who had endovascular procedures were treated under GA. At baseline, patients receiving GA were younger and had a shorter delay between stroke onset and randomisation but they had similar pre-treatment clinical severity compared with patients who did not have GA. Endovascular thrombectomy improved functional outcome at 3 months both in patients who had GA (adjusted common odds ratio (cOR) 1·52, 95% CI 1·09–2·11, p=0·014) and in those who did not have GA (adjusted cOR 2·33, 95% CI 1·75–3·10, p<0·0001) versus standard care. However, outcomes were significantly better for patients who did not receive GA versus those who received GA (covariate-adjusted cOR 1·53, 95% CI 1·14–2·04, p=0·0044). The risk of bias and variability between studies was assessed to be low. Interpretation: Worse outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy were associated with GA, after adjustment for baseline prognostic variables. These data support avoidance of GA whenever possible. The procedure did, however, remain effective versus standard care in patients treated under GA, indicating that treatment should not be withheld in those who require anaesthesia for medical reasons
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