FRIDAY – NEWS TIPS

American Stroke Association Meeting report - See embargoes below
February 03, 2012
NOTE ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL. ALL TIPS ARE EMBARGOED UNTIL THE TIME OF PRESENTATION OR 3 P.M. CT/4 P.M. ET EACH DAY, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. For more information Feb. 1-3, call Karen Astle, Bridgette McNeill, Julie Del Barto or Carrie Thacker at the New Orleans Convention Center at (504) 670-6010. Before or after these dates, call the Communications Office in Dallas at (214) 706-1396. For public inquiries call (800) AHA-USA1 (242-8721).
 
9:52 a.m. CT – Abstract 191
Stroke victims not getting to the hospital quicker or using EMS more than in 2005*
Stroke victims aren’t getting to the hospital any faster than they did six years ago and aren’t more likely to use emergency medical services (EMS) to get them there, according to new research.
 
In a review of 115,676 patients with acute stroke over six years, researchers found:
  • The percentage of patients who get to the hospital within two hours of the “last time they were known to be well” decreased, with 40 percent arriving within that time in 2005 and 35.2 percent in 2010.
  • More than 39 percent of patients arrived at the hospital more than 4.5 hours after the “last time they were known to be well” in 2005, while almost 44 percent arrived after 4.5 hours in 2010.
  • Documentation of the “last time they were known to be well” increased during the period, from 45.3 percent to 46.7 percent.
  • Use of EMS decreased slightly from 49.9 percent to 49.1 percent.
  • The use of the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) increased from 6.4 percent of stroke patients in 2005 to 9.5 percent in 2010 (includes intravenous and intra-arterial tPA).
Factors that influenced the use of thrombolytic therapy included use of EMS, male gender, age less than 65 years and independent ambulation prior to stroke.
 
The patients were in the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry, a quality improvement program for acute stroke.
 
The findings demonstrate the continued need for public education on the signs, symptoms and actions to take for acute stroke, researchers said.
 
Use of EMS had the largest association with the use of tPA, yet use of EMS didn’t improve over six years. However, overall use of tPA has increased, suggesting a benefit from the extended time window, increased use of intra-arterial tPA (administered directly to the clot) and an increased willingness to provide tPA, researchers said.
 
*The findings and conclusions in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
10:16 a.m. CT – Abstract 179
Glue-like compound may stop abnormal blood flow in brain
A glue-like compound injected into blood vessels safely treats irregular blood vessel connections in the brain. Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) occur when arteries improperly attach directly to veins, bypassing the tiny blood vessels, or capillaries, which normally supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. AVMs can cause bleeding in and around the brain, stroke and seizures, leading to brain damage and even death. Treatment may include surgery to remove the diseased blood vessels, radiosurgery, and/or therapy, called embolization, to stop blood flow within the AVM. Embolization techniques have also included another adhesive substance called histoacryl.
 
In this study, a manufactured liquid compound called Onyx® was used in 117 AVM patients (average age 43, 39 percent female) treated at 11 European hospitals from December 2005 to December 2006. The compound was injected into blood vessels via a small tube, or catheter, threaded through a vessel in the leg and guided to the AVM. Once in place, the liquid embolic hardens to prevent blood from flowing through the diseased vessels.
 
Onyx completely stopped abnormal blood flow in 24 percent of AVMs overall and 37 percent of AVMs smaller than three centimeters. The rate of serious complications, including bleeding, worsening of symptoms and death, was within the range considered normal for AVM treatment. Death rate related to treatment was 4.4 percent and morbidity 5.1 percent. Deaths were mostly related to hemorrhagic complications.
 
AVM is a rare disease that affects about one of every 200-500 people, according to American Heart Association statistics. Although AVM is present from birth, its causes are unknown. EV3, the drug manufacturer, funded the study. 
###
 
Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position.  The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events.  The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing science content.  Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
 
NR12-1014 (ISC 2012/ Friday tips)
 
Additional resources:
CONTACT:
ASA News Media Office in Dallas: (214) 706-1396
ASA News Media Office in New Orleans (Feb. 1-3): (504) 670-6010
For public inquiries: (800)-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

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