Early Diagnosis And Treatment Can Prevent One New Stroke In Every Seven Patients With Ministrokes

Main Category: Stroke
Article Date: 12 Apr 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Ministrokes also known as transient ischemic attacks have long been recognized as a marker of subsequent strokes. How Minnesota hospitals are treating these high-risk individuals has been the focus of recent research. A study conducted by investigators from the University of Minnesota Stroke Research Center and Minnesota Department of Health reported that one new stroke could be prevented with early diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment in every seven patients presenting with ministrokes to the hospital.

The study was published in a recent issue of Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology and analyzed data of 708 patients admitted with TIA (transient ischemic attack or ministroke) from the Minnesota Stroke Registry over a one-year period. Appropriate treatment of high blood pressure and high serum cholesterol, and institution of medication that prevents blood clots resulted in an estimated prevention of 104 additional strokes over a five-year period.

The study was led by Dr. Lakshminarayan from University of Minnesota. Other investigators included Drs. Vazquez, Tonarelli, Peacock, Luepker, Tsai, and Zacharatos.

The Minnesota Stroke Registry is an initiative of the Minnesota Department of Health supported by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which aims to facilitate the implementation of interventions to improve the quality of stroke care. Journal of Vascular & Interventional Neurology is published quarterly from the Stroke Center here at the University of Minnesota.

Source
Minnesota Stroke Registry

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