Biomedical subjects

Charles A Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to Charles A Andersen.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Totally percutaneous aortic aneurysm repair: experience and prudence.

OBJECTIVE: Totally percutaneous aortic aneurysm repair has been shown to be technically feasible, with low morbidity. Complications from percutaneous arterial closure are not insignificant, however, and can be fatal. We sought to evaluate our experience with this technique, compare it with the published literature, and identify factors associated with conversion to open repair and complications. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed. All patients who underwent percutaneous closure of large-bore-sheath (>12F) access sites with off-label use of a suture-mediated closure device (Prostar XL) between December 2002 and August 2005 were reviewed. Outcome measures evaluated were rates of technical success, conversion to open femoral arterial repair, and complications. Axial diameter measurements of the accessed vessels were assessed with computed tomographic (CT) angiography both before and after the procedure. Patient variables were compared by using chi2, Fisher exact, and paired and independent samples t tests where appropriate. The mean follow-up interval was 1.5 years. RESULTS: During the study period, 49 patients underwent percutaneous closure of 79 large-bore-sheath access sites after successful endovascular aneurysm repair. Seven patients (14%) were morbidly obese (body mass index >35 kg/m2). Successful closure was achieved in 74 access sites (93.7%). Percutaneous closure was unsuccessful in five access sites (6.3%), all of which required open femoral repair at the same setting. Two converted patients experienced complications (4.1%): one retroperitoneal hematoma requiring transfusion of blood products and one iliac artery injury leading to death from myocardial infarction. Both of these patients were morbidly obese. Both complications occurred after closure of larger than 20F sheath sites. Morbid obesity and sheath size greater than 20F were associated with a significantly increased complication rate (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). No thrombotic or infectious complications occurred in this series. Upon comparison of preoperative and postoperative CT angiograms, one (1.3%) small pseudoaneurysm was detected. No arteriovenous fistulas or hematomas larger than 3 cm were detected. The pseudoaneurysm occurred after closure of a 20F sheath access site. There were no significant differences in minimum intraluminal (7.38 +/- 1.8 vs 7.48 +/- 1.8) or maximum extraluminal (11.25 +/- 2.8 vs 12.02 +/- 2.7) diameters between preoperative and postoperative CT angiograms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Totally percutaneous aortic aneurysm repair is technically feasible in most cases, with no effect on the luminal diameter of the accessed femoral artery. Complications occur more often in morbidly obese patients and with sheaths larger than 20F. These complications can be minimized with meticulous technique and good patient selection. The capability for expeditious open femoral arterial repair is mandatory with this approach.

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PubMed2006

Limb salvage and outcomes among patients with traumatic popliteal vascular injury: an analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank.

PURPOSE: Popliteal arterial trauma carries the greatest risk of limb loss of any peripheral vascular injury. The purpose of this study was to analyze outcomes after popliteal arterial injuries and identify factors contributing to disability. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of prospectively collected trauma data from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). We studied all patients with popliteal arterial injury in terms of demographics, injury patterns, interventions, limb salvage, resource utilization, and outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 1395 popliteal arterial injuries among the 1,130,000 patients in the NTDB, for an incidence <0.2%. The patients were 82% male, with a mean age of 33 years, and they presented with a mean initial systolic blood pressure of 124 mm Hg, base deficit -4.6, injury severity score of 11.8, and an extremity abbreviated injury score of 2.6. The mechanism was blunt in 61% and penetrating in 39%, and significant baseline demographic differences existed between the two groups. Associated ipsilateral lower-extremity trauma included combined popliteal arterial and venous (AV) injuries, fractures and dislocations, and major nerve disruptions. Fasciotomies were performed in 49%, complex soft tissue repairs in 24%, and amputations in 14.5%. The overall mean hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay were 16.9 and 5.9 days. The mean functional independence measure for locomotion was 2.8, but was significantly lower for patients with blunt trauma. In-hospital mortality was 4.5% and did not significantly differ by mechanism. Amputation rates were 15% with combined AV injuries, 21% for associated nerve injuries, 12% for major soft tissue disruptions, and 21% for femur, 12% for knee, and 20% for tibia-fibula fractures or dislocations. Among the 312 patients with combined AV injuries, those with blunt mechanism had a significantly higher amputation rate than those with penetrating injury (27% vs 9%, P < .001). Adjusting for age, gender, mechanism, and overall physiologic impact of injuries sustained, independent predictors of amputation in logistic regression analysis of the entire cohort included fracture (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 4.1), complex soft tissue injury (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.0), nerve injury (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.8), and extremity abbreviated injury score (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Popliteal vascular injury remains an uncommon but challenging clinical entity associated with significant rates of limb loss, functional disability, and mortality. Blunt vs penetrating mechanism and associated musculoskeletal injuries generally involve longer hospital stays, worse functional outcomes, and twice the amputation rate.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Extremity vascular injuries on the battlefield: tips for surgeons deploying to war.

BACKGROUND: Recent events have refocused attention on certain principles regarding the surgical management of casualties on the battlefield. Extremity vascular injuries predominate, representing 50 to 70% of all injuries treated during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and exsanguination from extremity wounds is the leading cause of preventable death on the modern battlefield. Recent advances in military medicine have translated into a greater percentage of wounded soldiers surviving during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom than in any other previous American conflict. The combat-experienced military surgeon, a fraction of those in uniform until recently, rarely has had the opportunity to convey lessons learned to the newly indoctrinated war surgeon. The purpose of this review is to do exactly that. METHODS: We collectively reviewed the experience and opinions of five U.S. Army surgeons with regard to management of extremity vascular injuries in a combat zone RESULTS: The modern battlefield has a staunch reputation of being unclean, noisy, and lacking of valuable resources. High-kinetic energy injuries such as those resulting from high explosives, munitions, and high-velocity missiles often cause soft-tissue destruction that is not routinely seen in civilian settings. Military-specific considerations in the management of these injuries are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: The management of extremity vascular injuries on the modern battlefield presents many unique and demanding challenges to even the most seasoned of surgeons. Preparation goes a long way in overcoming some of the obstacles to seamless patient care.

Amputation, Surgical↗

PubMed2005

The significance of incidental thyroid abnormalities identified during carotid duplex ultrasonography.

HYPOTHESIS: Incidental thyroid masses identified during carotid duplex ultrasonography may represent clinically significant lesions. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of a prospective database in a tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 2004 consecutive patients from January, 2000, through January, 2002, undergoing carotid duplex ultrasonography. INTERVENTIONS: After bilateral carotid duplex ultrasonography, selected patients additionally underwent 1 or more of the following: dedicated thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and/or partial or total thyroidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence and type of thyroid abnormalities, correlation with a dedicated thyroid ultrasound, and results of histopathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: One or more thyroid abnormalities were identified in 188 duplexes (9.4%) involving 168 patients. Abnormalities were unilateral in 84 patients (50.6%) and bilateral in 81 patients (49.4%). Seventy-seven abnormalities (47%) were cystic, 72 (43%) were solid, and 16 (10%) were of mixed consistency. Sixty-six of the patients (40%) went on to have formal thyroid ultrasounds. Forty-five patients (70.3%) had masses greater than 1 cm on ultrasound. Based on ultrasound findings, 29 of 66 (44%) underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy, with 13 of 66 (19.7%) eventually undergoing surgery. Surgical pathology included 5 patients with cancer (3 with papillary cancer, 2 with follicular cancer), 4 patients with a follicular adenoma, and 2 with lymphocytic thyroiditis). Two additional patients were discovered to have parathyroid adenomas following further workup and surgery. Thyroid abnormalities identified during carotid duplex ultrasonography correlated with formal ultrasound in 64 of 66 (97%) patients. Measurement of the thyroid mass by carotid duplex strongly correlated with measurement by formal thyroid ultrasound (r = 0.95, P<.001). Two patients with unilateral masses noted on carotid duplex had a normal thyroid formal ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental thyroid abnormalities identified during carotid duplex ultrasound are common and contain clinically significant pathology. A multidisciplinary clinical pathway may facilitate the appropriate evaluation of these abnormalities.

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PubMed2005

Atherosclerosis as inflammation.

Atherosclerosis has traditionally been attributed to disordered cholesterol metabolism with associated accumulation of lipid substrate in the arterial wall. It is now believed that systemic and local inflammatory events mediate all phases of plaque development, progression, and degeneration. No longer regarded as a bland, mechanical process, plaque evolution is now best understood as a pitched battle between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cellular and molecular elements. Not unlike models of chronic wound healing or ischemia-reperfusion, the biologic state of a plaque at any given time is transient and mutable, reflecting a dynamic balance of numerous local and circulating inflammatory forces. Dreaded complications of the disease such as myocardial infarction and stroke result from acute shifts in this balance in favor of plaque instability and vulnerability over stable states of chronic inflammation. The purpose of this article is (1) to review the inflammatory pathogenesis of atherosclerosis on a molecular basis, (2) describe several of the emerging inflammatory biomarkers currently being investigated with particular interest in their possible roles as direct mediators of vascular disease, and (3) identify several important implications for diagnosis and therapy.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

PubMed2005

The impact of an interventional vascular specialty team on institutional endovascular aneurysm repair outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a technically demanding, resource-intensive procedure associated with a significant learning curve. In July 2002, the Department of Defense allocated nearly $5,000,000 for "Advances in Medical Practice" (AMP) and EVAR within the six major military medical centers in the United States Army. We sought to determine the impact of several institutional changes associated with the use of these funds. METHODS: We performed a single-institution, retrospective comparison of our early EVAR outcomes in physiologically similar patients before and after the use of AMP capital and the acquisition of a trained and equipped endovascular operative team. Morbidity, mortality, and operative variables were the main outcomes. Mean follow-up interval was 17.6 months. RESULTS: As of November 2004, a total of 114 conventional open and endovascular AAA repairs were performed at our institution since our first EVAR in May 2000. Ten of 51 (20%) total AAA patients were treated with EVAR by a general vascular surgical team before the addition of an endovascular specialty team to the service in July 2002. An additional 28 of 63 (44%) patients have been treated with EVAR since that time for a total of 38 repairs. During the first year evaluated, 20% of aneurysms were repaired with EVAR versus 83% during the most recent year. Devices from four different manufacturers were used during the study interval. Patients treated by the endovascular team had significantly less mean estimated blood loss (EBL), packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfused, intravenous (IV) contrast used, and shorter operative times. Morbidity, mortality, endoleaks, and other variables were similar. In linear regression analysis adjusting for complex, time-consuming repairs that required adjunctive procedures outside the realm of normal EVAR, endovascular team EVAR was independently associated with decreased mean operative time, EBL, PRBCs transfused, and IV contrast used. CONCLUSIONS: At a major military medical center, EVAR has become the preferred technique for the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. EVAR by a dedicated endovascular surgical team favorably impacts several important operative variables and may improve overall outcomes. Some of these operative variables may be device specific.

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal↗

PubMed2005

Functional outcome after blunt and penetrating carotid artery injuries: analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the functional outcome at discharge among a cohort of patients suffering traumatic carotid arterial injury (CAI) and compared them with matched controls. METHODS: CAI were identified by International Classification of Diseases-9 codes from the National Trauma Data Bank. Control groups were matched by age, mechanism, head Abbreviated Injury Scale score, Injury Severity Score, base deficit, and admission Glasgow Coma Scale score. Outcome was assessed using the functional independence measure (FIM) score for feeding, locomotion, and expression. FIM scores for each category ranged from 1 (full assistance required) to 4 (fully independent), with a maximum total FIM score of 12 representing full independence. RESULTS: There were 967 CAI identified among 474,024 patients for an overall incidence of 0.2%. The mechanism of injury was blunt in 570 (59%) and penetrating in 397 (41%) patients. Seventy-eight percent of penetrating CAI patients were fully independent for locomotion at discharge (FIM = 4) compared with only 37% of blunt patients (p < 0.01). Compared with the control group of similarly injured patients without carotid injury (n = 14,119), the blunt CAI group demonstrated more severe functional disability (FIM < or = 2) at discharge for feeding, expression, and locomotion. Fifty-five percent of blunt control patients were discharged fully independent (FIM total = 12) compared with only 33% of blunt CAI (odds ratio= 2.5; p < 0.01). The penetrating CAI group showed no significant difference in severe disability for feeding, expression, or locomotion compared with controls. However, 80% of penetrating control patients were discharged fully independent (FIM total = 12) compared with only 67% of patients with penetrating CAI (odds ratio = 2.0; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Blunt CAI is associated with more severe functional disability at discharge than penetrating CAI. Even when compared with a similarly injured control group, blunt CAI results in significant additional severe functional disabilities in feeding, expression, and locomotion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Pitfalls in imaging: differentiating intravagal and carotid body paragangliomas.

We report a case of an intravagal paraganglioma and a case of a carotid body tumor to illustrate a variable presentation of the former in which it mimicked the latter on preoperative imaging. The atypical imaging features of the intravagal paraganglioma included inferior extension to the level of the carotid bifurcation and splaying of the internal and external carotid arteries, features that are similar to those seen in a case of carotid body paraganglioma. Proper differentiation of these lesions permits more appropriate preoperative counseling and surgical preparation. When using magnetic resonance angiography rather than catheter angiography, we advocate the inclusion of gadolinium contrast and three-dimensional time-of-flight techniques to better demonstrate the position of the tumor relative to the carotid bifurcation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Focused high-risk population screening for carotid arterial stenosis after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical radiation for head and neck cancer has been associated with an increased incidence of carotid arterial stenosis. Modern radiation therapy delivers higher doses with increasing long-term survival. Accordingly, the prevalence of radiation-associated carotid stenosis may be higher than previously reported. Phase I of this prospective study was to establish the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis after high-dose cervical radiation. METHODS: From a prospectively maintained database, we identified patients who had received cervical high-dose radiotherapy (minimum 5,500 cGy). All patients were screened with bilateral carotid arterial duplex ultrasonography. We defined disease as "normal or mild" if the carotid stenosis was <50%, and "significant" if >50%. The relationship between standard demographic risk factors and screening outcomes was then analyzed. RESULTS: Screening was performed in 40 patients (mean age 68.2 years, range 26 to 87). Patients received a mean cumulative radiation dose of 6,420 cGy (range 5,500 to 7,680), with a mean duration of 10.2 years since their last radiation treatment. Sixteen patients (40%) had significant carotid artery stenosis. Patients with and without significant stenosis were comparable in terms of age, radiation dose, tobacco use, comorbidities, and postradiation interval (P = not significant). Six patients (15%) had unilateral complete carotid occlusion and 6 patients (15%) had significant bilateral carotid stenosis. Three patients (7.5%) had sustained a previous stroke after radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of carotid arterial disease in patients with prior cervical radiation therapy is clinically significant and warrants aggressive screening as part of routine preradiation and postradiation care. Focused screening of this high-risk population may be cost effective and medically beneficial in terms of risk factor modification and stroke prevention, and will be examined in phase II of this study.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Intraoperative duplex ultrasonography as an adjunct to technical excellence in 100 consecutive carotid endarterectomies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of intraoperative duplex ultrasonography (duplex) results to neurologic outcomes and restenosis among patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: One hundred consecutive CEAs were performed at a military medical center over 28 months. Prospectively acquired demographics, duplex results, revisions, and surgical outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent (34 of 100) of sites were abnormal by completion duplex. Of these, 70% (24 of 34) were B-mode flap type defects located in the common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), or external carotid artery (ECA). Twenty-one percent of the defects (7 of 34) were technically unacceptable and immediately revised. Subsequently, 3 perioperative neurologic events occurred, 2 strokes and 1 transient ischemic attack (TIA), all among patients with an identified but unrepaired defect involving the ICA or CCA. This association of unrepaired defect with early stroke or TIA was significant (P = 0.02). No significant association (P >0.05) between unrepaired defects and late ipsilateral stroke or TIA or restenosis was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative duplex scanning is a useful adjunct to CEA that can identify correctable mechanical problems. Residual elevated velocities or B-mode flaps 2 mm or greater in the ICA warrant consideration for immediate repair. Findings not requiring revision include flaps <2 mm, as well as isolated ECA defects. Prospectively validated duplex criteria are needed to further define which defects require immediate repair.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Intraoperative use of isosulfan blue in the treatment of persistent lymphatic leaks.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic leaks are a major source of morbidity after lower extremity vascular surgery. We determined the ability of isosulfan blue (Lymphazurin) use to identify and help ligate offending lymphatics, and compared postoperative complication rates and length of stay versus nonoperative therapy alone. METHODS: From January 1993 through March 2002, we identified 15 patients with lymphatic leaks. The first group consisted of 5 patients treated nonoperatively. The second group was 10 patients (11 explorations) treated operatively aided by isosulfan blue, after a trial of nonoperative therapy. RESULTS: Isosulfan blue identified the leak in 10 of 11 cases. Mean drainage time for the nonoperative group was 47.6 days versus 1.8 days for the operative group (P = 0.036). Within the operative group, the mean drainage time during their initial conservative treatment phase was 15 days versus 1.8 days after surgery (P < 0.01). Complications were significantly less in the operative group (P < 0.05). Postoperative length of stay was a mean of 4.7 days versus 8.1 days for nonoperative patients (P = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative isosulfan blue use accurately identifies disrupted lymphatic channels and helps ensure definitive ligation. This simple procedure is associated with fewer complications, and a trend toward shorter hospital stay.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Carotid endarterectomy remains the gold standard.

BACKGROUND: To compare the safety and efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) as performed in a community medical center with the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS) and North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) standards and with representative published results regarding carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). METHODS: Between 1 January 1994 and 31 July 2000, 267 CEA procedures were performed on 236 patients at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC). Prospectively acquired patient demographics, operative indications, and surgical outcomes were reviewed using clinical records, carotid duplex evaluations, and follow-up examinations. The resultant data were compared with ACAS, NASCET, and published results of CAS. RESULTS: The perioperative stroke rate was 2.2% (6 of 267) overall, 0.7% (1 of 139) among asymptomatic patients, and 3.9% (5 of 128) among symptomatic patients. There were no perioperative deaths from any cause in the entire series. The respective ACAS and NASCET early stroke-death rates were 2.3% (19 of 825) and 5.8% (19 of 328). The largest published series of CAS reported stroke-death rates of 5.7% (299 of 5,210) overall, and 3.4% (46 of 1,361) and 5.8% (93 of 1,614) for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CEA remains the standard of care. It is a safe, effective, and durable procedure that can be performed in a facility such as MAMC with outcomes that compare favorably with ACAS and NASCET. Results of CEA at MAMC are superior to similar data regarding CAS. Widespread use of CAS should be deferred pending completion of on-going prospective trials versus CEA.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Is routine ultrasound guidance for central line placement beneficial? A prospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Portable ultrasound devices have become more readily available in the intensive care unit setting, but their utility outside of controlled trials remains unproven. We sought to determine how the availability of ultrasound guidance affected the types and number of complications during central line placement. DESIGN: Review of a prospectively maintained database in a 20-bed combined intensive care unit. Procedure notes from all attempts at internal jugular vein access from 1996 to 2001 were recorded, and selected patient records were reviewed. Ultrasound guidance was available beginning in March 1998. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2001, there were 484 documented attempts at internal jugular central line placement. Most procedures (83%) were performed by first- or second-year residents. During this period, there were 47 complications for an overall complication rate of 10%. These included 1 pneumothorax (2%), 6 carotid punctures (13%), 2 hematomas (4%), and 34 unsuccessful attempts (72%). There was no significant difference in age, sex, body-mass index, or intubation status between those with and without complications or between the ultrasound and anatomic landmark groups. Ultrasound was used in 179 (37%) attempts. The overall complication rate with ultrasound was 11% versus 9% using anatomic landmarks (p = NS). The complication rate prior to the availability of ultrasound was 15 of 114 attempts (13%) versus 32 of 370 attempts (9%) after the introduction of ultrasound in our intensive care unit (p = NS). Analysis of the 370 procedures performed since ultrasound became available demonstrated a complication rate of 11% with ultrasound guidance versus 6% without (p = 0.09). There was no significant difference in complication rates by resident year group or department (surgery vs. other). However, procedures performed after-hours (1800 to 0800) were associated with a 15% complication rate versus 6% for procedures performed during the workday (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The availability and use of ultrasound guidance for central line placement by junior residents has not resulted in an improvement in procedure-related complications. The complication profile was not affected by ultrasound use, patient factors, or resident year in training. There was a higher complication rate associated with procedures performed at night that may be caused by resident fatigue or unavailability of senior supervision.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid high-volume population screening for three major risk factors of future stroke: phase I results.

Three proximate risk factors for stroke are carotid stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. Phase I of this prospective study was designed to establish the prevalence of these conditions among a population of health maintenance organization beneficiaries by using a rapid screening protocol in order to risk-stratify patients for appropriate management and subsequent cohort analysis. Patients at a tertiary care medical center were screened for stroke risk by using directed history, a 3-minute carotid "quick-scan'' protocol, an EKG lead II rhythm strip, and bilateral arm blood pressures. Patients with any abnormal result underwent specific diagnostic consultation with vascular surgery, cardiology, or primary care. These evaluations included formal carotid duplex ultrasound, 12-lead EKG +/- Holter monitor, and 5-day blood pressure check. Patients were then stratified into risk cohorts for appropriate management and future analysis of stroke incidence and outcomes. In 8 hours on a single day in October 2002, 294 patients (mean age 69) were screened. Combining history with results of screening and diagnostic tests, the overall prevalence of carotid stenosis was 6% (n = 17/294), atrial fibrillation 7% (n = 21/294), and severe hypertension 5% (n = 16/294). Fifty-nine patients (20%) screened positive for carotid stenosis by "quick-scan,'' and 29% (n = 17/59) of these had confirmed stenosis (>50%) in 1 or both arteries by formal duplex. The prevalence of confirmed carotid stenosis was 37% among those screening positive for 1 artery (odds ratio [OR] 14.6; p<0.001) and 75% among those screening positive for both (OR 74.7; p<0.001). Significant independent predictors of carotid stenosis by multivariate analysis included coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction, smoking, stroke or transient ischemic attack, male gender, and white race (all p<0.05). The prevalence of confirmed stenosis was 10% with any 3 predictors alone (OR 2.5; p<0.05), 31% with any 4 (OR 21.2; p<0.001), and 50% with all 5 (OR 46.5; p<0.001). Thirty-three patients (11%) were found to have a previously unidentified and untreated arrhythmia, and 12% (n = 4/33) of these had confirmed new atrial fibrillation; 158 patients (54%) had moderate hypertension and 16 (5%) had severe hypertension (>180/100). Overall, 82% (n = 242/294) of patients screened required additional diagnostic tests. Based on these results, 11% (n = 31/294) of patients were stratified as high risk, 64% (n = 188/294) as moderate risk, and 25% (n = 75/294) as low risk for future stroke. Rapid and efficient screening of a large population for stroke risk factors is feasible. The prevalence of undiagnosed, unsurveilled, and untreated carotid stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and severe hypertension is significant, as 75% of patients screened had 1 or more confirmed major risk factors for stroke. Phase II of this study will investigate the degree of stroke risk reduction possible with a multidisciplinary approach to early identification and aggressive treatment of these risks.

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