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Jonathan Y Streifler

Publications and source records attributed to Jonathan Y Streifler.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Guidelines for the management of acute stroke--2005].

Stroke is a major cause for morbidity and mortality in Israel, the third most common cause of death and the main cause for neurological disability among adults. Several significant breakthroughs occurred over recent years in the management of stroke, and acute stroke has increasingly been recognized as a medical emergency--a "brain attack" comparable to a "heart attack". Several new scientific publications, guidelines and consensus statements from Europe and North America necessitate a paradigm shift in the management of acute stroke. The guidelines focus on a number of issues: acute stroke as a medical emergency, dedicated stroke units, early reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke, emergency management and general stroke treatment, use of diagnostic tests in the acute phase, and the prevention and treatment of complications.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Stroke in congenital heart disease and patent foramen ovale.

Congenital heart disease is usually regarded as an esoteric field of medicine, dealt with primarily by dedicated specialists. However, over the last two decades, increased attention has been given by the medical profession, the media and the general public to the possible association between a minor and common congenital heart defect, namely patent foramen ovale, and stroke. In recent months, unusual and unfortunate circumstances have made this topic one of the most fiercely debated medical issues in Israel. It is the belief of the authors of this paper that the association of PFO and stroke can be better understood if the PFO is viewed as part of the broader context of congenital heart disease, and as such it will be presented. Paradoxical embolism is a mechanism of stroke unique to congenital heart disease. The direction and volume of shunted blood in various conditions have a central role in determining the risk of stroke, as will be explained. With this basic knowledge in mind, we shall critically assess the potential role of PFO in stroke patients, suggesting that each case be evaluated individually using the above-mentioned principles. Conditions that enhance the formation of clot or other embolic material will be discussed briefly. The review will conclude with the various treatment options and our center's own experience with this challenging topic.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The relationship between mean flow velocity and functional and neurologic parameters of ischemic stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between mean flow velocity (MFV) as measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) and functional and neurologic impairment during inpatient rehabilitation after acute stroke. DESIGN: Prospective study comparing results of rehabilitation in patients with different TCD findings. SETTING: Acute neurologic rehabilitation department. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four consecutive patients admitted to a rehabilitation center with a diagnosis of a first ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Impairment as measured with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and disability as assessed with the FIM instrument. RESULTS: Normative or high blood-flow velocity in the MCA of the damaged hemisphere was associated on admission with higher FIM and lower NIHSS scores during 2 months of hospitalization. Absent or low flow velocity correlated with much worse functional and neurologic outcome, especially after 1 and 2 months of inpatient rehabilitation. Statistical correlation was found between MFV in the MCA of the damaged hemisphere, measured by admission TCD, and FIM score on admission and 1 month later. NIHSS scores during hospitalization also correlated with MFV in the MCA of the damaged hemisphere on admission and after 1 month. MFV in the MCA of the undamaged hemisphere 1 month after admission correlated negatively with FIM scores during inpatient rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a correlation between blood-flow velocity in the MCA of both hemispheres and the parameters of functional and neurologic status at different stages of acute inpatient rehabilitation after first ischemic stroke in MCA territory. Cerebral blood flow as measured by TCD can be an additional tool for monitoring the rehabilitation process after stroke.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Hyperperfusion syndrome].

Hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS) is a neurological syndrome, which consists of a triad of unilateral headache, seizures and focal neurological deficits. In its extreme form it can present as an intracerebral hemorrhage. Originally HPS was described in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomies for severe carotid stenosis but, more recently, it was also described following other means of cerebral revascularization such as stent-assisted angioplasty. It is believed to result from hyperperfusion of blood into an unprotected or damaged brain parenchyma. HPS is considered to be a rare complication of carotid endarterectomy, yet this may not be precise as the full picture of the syndrome usually develops after several days, following the patient's discharge from hospital. Physicians who are unfamiliar with this syndrome are called to treat these patients and thus it may be misdiagnosed. For invasive vascular procedures the hospitalization time is even shorter and therefore, this scenario may become more common. Nowadays, HPS may be diagnosed fairly easily, even before its typical clinical presentation has developed, with the use of transcranial doppler intra- or postoperatively. Meticulous blood pressure monitoring can prevent its appearance in most cases.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed2003

Development and progression of leukoaraiosis in patients with brain ischemia and carotid artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Leukoaraiosis (LA) or the presence of white matter changes, a frequent finding on brain CT scans of elderly individuals, is a risk factor for stroke and vascular death. The aim of the study was to seek development and progression of LA and associated risk factors in patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease. METHODS: Presence and extent of LA were determined on entry and follow-up CT scans from 685 patients in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial. RESULTS: Among 596 patients without LA at entry, 107 (18.0%) developed restricted LA and 18 (3.0%) developed widespread LA during a mean follow-up of 6.1 years (range, 3.0 to 9.6 years). Older age was associated significantly with LA development (P<0.001). History of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and intermittent claudication had weak associations with LA development. During follow-up, 36.0% of patients who developed LA had 1 or more strokes, particularly of the lacunar type, in comparison to 23.5% of patients who did not develop LA (P=0.01). In patients who developed LA, the percentage with small deep infarcts (diameter < or =1.5 cm) increased from 34.4% on entry to 45.6% on follow-up CT scans compared with no increase (20.4% and 20.4%, respectively) in patients who did not develop LA. Among 89 patients who had restricted LA at entry, 28 (31.5%) progressed to widespread LA. Progression was associated with occurrence of strokes. CONCLUSIONS: LA is common in elderly patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. Its development and progression are associated with higher occurrence of strokes, mainly of the lacunar type.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Melatonin rhythms in stroke patients.

Very little is known regarding melatonin's circadian rhythm in stroke patients. We compared urinary-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT), its major metabolite, in 11 extensive cortical and seven deep or lacunar stroke patients on day 3 or 4 and day 10 post-stroke. Urinary 6-SMT and creatinine measured every 4 h for 24 h starting at 06:00 h significantly fluctuated during the day in both types of stroke and did not differ between day 3 or 4 and day 10 post-stroke. However, in extensive cortical lesions, a delay in the 6-SMT excretion was observed in the first post-stroke days compared to day 10. We conclude that circadian oscillator is preserved in extensive cortical as well as in deep and lacunar strokes. Extensive cortical stroke might delay the melatonin surge during the first post-stroke days.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Brain abscess complicating cerebral infarct.

PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 68-year-old man who suffered ischemic strokes in the left middle cerebral artery territory and three months later, following urosepsis, developed a cerebral abscess in the infarcted area. DISCUSSION: A literature search found only eight other cases. We discuss herein the common clinical aspects of brain abscess complicating strokes, the co-existent diseases, and point out the possibility of underreporting this rare but treatable complication. CONCLUSION: Cerebral abscess should be suspected in patients with a previous brain infarction or haemorrhage, who develop bacteremia and impaired consciousness without a clear explanation to their condition. Advanced age, and medical conditions known adversely to affect immunological competence reinforce the clinical suspicion.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Prognostic importance of leukoaraiosis in patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Leukoaraiosis (LA) is a frequent finding on brain CT scans. This study examined patients with LA and symptomatic internal carotid artery disease. METHODS: Patients in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial were evaluated for the extent of LA. Long-term prognosis and perioperative risk associated with carotid endarterectomy were assessed. RESULTS: Among 2618 patients, 493 had LA: 354 restricted and 139 widespread. Patients with LA were older, had a history of hypertension, had more hemispheric ischemic events (particularly stroke), and had small, deep brain infarcts. The 3-year risks of stroke for medically treated patients were 20.2% (no LA), 27.3% (restricted LA), and 37.2% (widespread LA) (P=0.01). For surgically treated patients, the risks were 14.2%, 25.4%, and 33.6%, respectively (P<0.001). With widespread LA, occurrence of disabling strokes doubled in medical patients and tripled in surgical patients. The 30-day perioperative risks of any stroke or death for surgical patients with 50% to 99% internal carotid artery stenosis were 5.3% (no LA), 10.6% (restricted LA), and 13.9% (widespread LA). Despite higher perioperative risk, endarterectomy reduced the absolute 3-year risk of stroke ipsilateral to the symptomatic 50% to 99% stenosed artery by 11.6% (P=0.46) for patients with widespread LA, 7.6% (P=0.39) with those with restricted LA, and 10.9% (P<0.001) for those with no LA. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a transient ischemic attack or nondisabling stroke associated with internal carotid artery disease, presence of LA was associated with an increased risk of any stroke and of disabling or fatal stroke. Patients with widespread LA had the worst prognosis. Despite the higher perioperative risk, endarterectomy reduced the risk of stroke.

Aged↗