In 2007, the findings from clinical trials on stroke treatment have been both encouraging and disappointing. In order to interpret the challenges and opportunity in evidence-based stroke practice, we reviewed several major clinical trials in stroke that were published last year. It revealed that we should strengthen the evidence base for acute stroke care by conducting more high-quality randomized controlled trials and by increasing the energy, resources and manpower available for these trials.
Objective To investigate the long-term prognosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and to identify the early predictors of poor outcome. Methods We performed a prospective register study on the prognosis of CVST patients. All patients were followed up continuously. The primary endpoint was death or dependence as assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score gt;2 at month 6. A multivariable logistic regression model was applied to identify the predictors of outcome. Results A total of 52 CVST patients were included. The rates of recurrence and death at month 6 were 13.5% and 7.7%, respectively, and 29.9% of the patients were dead or dependent at month 6. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the predictors of death or dependence at month 6 were intracranial parenchymal lesion (OR=14.62, 95%CI 2.36 to 90.36) and delayed diagnosis (OR=13.14, 95%CI 1.90 to 90.84). Conclusion In China, CVST is still a disease that may lead to death or dependence. Its long-term prognosis is relatively poor compared to that reported in western patients. This difference may due to the delayed diagnosis of CVST in China.
Objective To compare the risk factors between multiple cerebral infarction (MCI) and single cerebral infarction (SCI). This would be beneficial for carrying out corresponding prevention and treatment. Methods We prospectively registered consecutive cases of ischemic stroke in the neurological wards and divided them into two groups: MCI group and SCI group according to their clinical and imaging data. Firstly, the single variable analyses of 24 factors that could be related to the onset of MCI were conducted, and then the multivariate non-condition stepwise logistic regression was performed. Results Significant differences were noted between MCI group and SCI group in terms of age, gender, hpertension, diabetes, heart valvular disease, smoking, cerebral infarction history and first systolic blood pressure after admission. The logistic regression analyses showed that factors of age (OR=1.014, 95%CI 1.003 to 1.026), hypertension (OR=1.566, 95%CI 1.185 to 2.068), smoking (OR=1.473, 95%CI 1.052 to 2.061), cerebral infarction history (OR=1.948, 95%CI 1.326 to 2.864) were independent risk factors for MCI. Conclusion Compared to SCI, age, hypertension, smoking and cerebral infarction history were independent risk factors for MCI patients.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with anti-takenskin graft on open amputation wound by comparing with direct anti-taken skin graft. Methods Between March 2005 andJune 2010, 60 cases of amputation wounds for limbs open fractures were selected by using the random single-blind method.The amputation wounds were treated with VSD combined with anti-taken skin graft (test group, n=30) and direct anti-takenskin graft (control group, n=30). No significant difference was found in age, gender, injury cause, amputation level, defect size,preoperative albumin index, or injury time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In test group, the redundant stump skin was usedto prepare reattached staggered-meshed middle-thickness skin flap by using a drum dermatome deal ing after amputation,which was transplanted amputation wounds, and then the skin surface was covered with VSD for continuous negative pressuredrainage for 7-10 days. In control group, wounds were covered by anti-taken thickness skin flap directly after amputation, andconventional dress changing was given. Results To observe the survival condition of the skin graft in test group, the VSDdevice was removed at 8 days after operation. The skin graft survival rate, wound infection rate, reamputation rate, times ofdressing change, and the hospital ization days in test group were significantly better than those in control group [ 90.0% vs.63.3%, 3.3% vs. 20.0%, 0 vs. 13.3%, (2.0 ± 0.5) times vs. (8.0 ± 1.5) times, and (12.0 ± 2.6) days vs. (18.0 ± 3.2) days, respectively](P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up 1-3 years with an average of 2 years. At last follow-up, the scar area and grading, and twopointdiscrimination of wound in test group were better than those in control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05).No obvious swelling occurred at the residual limbs in 2 groups. The limb pain incidence and the residual limb length were betterin test group than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Whereas, no significant difference was found in the shape of the residual limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In comparison with the contralateral limbs, the muscle had disuse atrophy and decreasedstrength in residual limbs of 2 groups. There was significant difference in the muscle strength between normal and affected limbs(P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in affected limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Comparedwith direct anti-taken skin graft on amputation wound, the wound could be closed primarily by using the VSD combined withanti-taken skin graft. At the same time it could achieve better wound drainage, reduce infection rate, promote good adhesion ofwound, improve skin survival rate, and are beneficial to lower the amputation level, so it is an ideal way to deal with amputationwound in the phase I.