Introduction: Stroke is considered one of the greatest public health challenges worldwide, with the ischemic subtype being the most prevalent. Various acute stroke clinical guidelines recommend early rehabilitation interventions, including very early mobilization. However, despite the studies conducted in recent years regarding when to initiate mobilization after an acute stroke, there are few systematic and pe...
Introduction: Stroke is considered one of the greatest public health challenges worldwide, with the ischemic subtype being the most prevalent. Various acute stroke clinical guidelines recommend early rehabilitation interventions, including very early mobilization. However, despite the studies conducted in recent years regarding when to initiate mobilization after an acute stroke, there are few systematic and pe...
Background: The optimal imaging method for detecting distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs) remains undefined. Purpose: The objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of CTA with CTP in detecting DMVOs. Data sources: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to March 31, 2023 (PROSPERO: CRD42022344006). Study selectio...
Background: Distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs) represent 25-40% of all acute ischemic strokes (AIS). DMVO clinical syndromes are heterogenous, but as eloquent brain regions are frequently involved, they are often disabling. Since current intravenous fibrinolytic therapies may fail to recanalize up to two-thirds of DMVOs, endovascular treatment is progressively being considered in this setting. Nevertheless...
Introduction: Since the publication of endovascular treatment trials and European Stroke Guidelines, Portugal has re-organized stroke healthcare. The nine centers performing endovascular treatment are not equally distributed within the country, which may lead to differential access to endovascular treatment. Our main aim was to perform a descriptive analysis of the main treatment metrics regarding endovascular ...
Stroke represents the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Ischemic strokes are the most prevalent type of stroke, and they are characterized by a series of pathological events prompted by an arterial occlusion that leads to a heterogeneous pathophysiological response through different hemodynamic phases, namely the hyperacute, acute, subacute, and chronic phases. Stroke treatment is highl...
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia in the adult population worldwide, represents a significant burden in terms of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and has repercussions on health economics. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is key to stroke prevention in AF and, in recent years, results from landmark clinical trials of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have triggered a paradigm shift in ...
Introduction: Ischaemic stroke is the most prevalent type of stroke and is characterised by a myriad of pathological events triggered by a vascular arterial occlusion. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key pathological event that may lead to fatal outcomes. However, it seems to follow a multiphasic pattern that has been associated with distinct biological substrates and possibly contrasting outco...
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic interface responsible for maintaining the central nervous system homeostasis. Its unique characteristics allow protecting the brain from unwanted compounds, but its impairment is involved in a vast number of pathological conditions. Disruption of the BBB and increase in its permeability are key in the development of several neurological diseases and have been extensive...
Oral anticoagulants have proved to be highly effective in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF)-related strokes. The occurrence of stroke despite oral anticoagulation is unexpected and little is known about the mechanisms responsible. The aim of this study was to assess possible mechanisms for stroke occurrence, such as poor treatment adherence and inappropriate dosage, in patients chronically anticoagulated for AF.