Hypertension is the most important modifiable cause of stroke. The Canadian Hypertension Educational Program, representing Canada's experts in the field of hypertension, publishes annual evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

We present the 2005 Canadian Hypertension Educational Program guidelines regarding the management of hypertension in patients with stroke.

The diagnosis of hypertension should be expedited and can be made as early as the second visit in patients with stroke. Unless contraindicated, a combination of angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics is the preferred therapy in these patients. A target blood pressure below 140/90mmHg for non-diabetic patients, below 130mmHg/80mmHg for diabetic patients and below 125mmHg/75mmHg for those with renal disease and proteinuria (³ 1 gram per day) should be reached. Lifestyle interventions may be as effective as medication and should be used in conjunction with medical management. Waist circumference should be less than 102cm for men and 88cm for women. There remains uncertainty about the management of high blood pressure in the context of acute stroke.

A combination of ACE-inhibitors and diuretics is recommended in hypertensive stroke patients. Blood pressure should be maintained below 140/90 mmHg.

Clinicians in the neurosciences need to interpret and apply a growing body of evidence about therapy.

Using a clinical scenario about painful diabetic neuropathy and evidence about one treatment option, we review the advantages, limitations, and the clinical interpretation of commonly reported measures of effectiveness, emphasizing their application to the care of individual patients.

Absolute differences between treatment and control groups (e.g., absolute risk difference) are clinically intuitive and preferable to relative measures (e.g., relative risk). The number needed to treat is particularly useful and clinically applicable. Continuous measures are best interpreted using thresholds of clinically important change, which provide information about the number of patients experiencing meaningful improvement or worsening.

Using simple principles of evidence based care, clinicians can correctly interpret the common measures of treatment effectiveness and apply them to the care of individual patients.

The Canadian Neurological Society commissioned a manpower survey in 2002 to assess demographics, distribution, specialty interests, working conditions, job satisfaction and future plans of neurologists across the country.

A survey was mailed to all known Canadian neurologists (n = 694) on two separate occasions. Further encouragement by telephone contact was undertaken. The response rate was 54%.

The mean age of neurologists who responded was 51 years, with 14% being women. Approximately 55% of neurologists were community-based. Seventy-six percent designated a sub-specialty interest. On average, neurologists worked 57 hours per week and the majority had significant “on-call” commitments. Job satisfaction was higher among academic neurologists when compared with community-based neurologists, and greater among men than women. A greater percentage of older neurologists were satisfied with their work than their younger colleagues. Significant attrition in the neurological work force is a major concern, since up to 20% of neurologists reported that they are likely to retire in the next five years and about 15% are likely to reduce their practice.

This survey suggests that substantial concerns are facing Canadian neurology over the next five years. Major efforts to retain existing expertise and enhance residency training will be required to simply maintain the present quality of neurological care in Canada.

Thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been shown to be cost-effective and safe. Thrombolysis for stroke with tPA is now a standard of care in North America. However, it is only used on a small percentage of patients.

The Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network was a consent-based stroke registry from 21 hospital sites across Canada. Using the thrombolysis data in phase 1 and 2 of the Registry, we sought to describe the use of stroke thrombolysis and its outcomes.

A total of 4107 patients were diagnosed with ischemic stroke in phase 1 and 2 of the Registry, of which 8.9% were treated with tPA. In consented tPA patients, the method of tPA administration was 85.8% IV only, 9.0% IA only, and 5.2% IV/IA combined. Patients had a median onset-to-treatment time of 167 minutes [IQR 140-188]. One quarter (25.5%) of eligible candidates (time from onset <150 minutes) were treated with tPA. Protocol violations occurred in 27.7% (67/242) of patients with 14.9% (10/67) mortality. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 11.6%. Lower Canadian Neurological Scale score and higher glucose level were predictive of mortality The symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) rate (phase 2 only) was 4.3%. The mean Stroke Impact Scale-16 score at six months was 73.2, approximately equivalent to a modified Rankin scale score of 2.

At selected hospitals in Canada, thrombolysis use is higher than previously reported rates. Thrombolysis continues to be safe and effective in Canada.

Numerous therapeutic interventions have been developed in the neurosciences. Clinicians need summary measures about efficacy of therapies that derive from the best available evidence, and that can be readily extrapolated to clinical practice. The number needed to treat (NNT) is intuitive and clinically applicable. We provide clinicians with a single source that summarizes important therapies in the main neurological and neurosurgical areas.

Critically appraised evidence about therapies in the neurosciences was obtained from meta-analyses in all neurosciences groups in the Cochrane library, and from critically appraised topics at the University of Western Ontario. Therapies were included if they were deemed relevant and if outcomes were dichotomous. For each therapy, we obtained absolute risk differences and their 95% confidence intervals (CI), the corresponding NNTs, control and experimental event rates, and the time-frame of the outcome assessment.

We assembled a table of NNTs for 87 interventions in ten disease categories, deriving from meta-analyses (70%) or randomized controlled trials (30%), and assessing surgical interventions (7%), procedures (9%) or pharmacological treatments (84%). The NNTs varied widely, ranging from 1 in the use of epidural blood patch for post-dural puncture headache to 4608 for meningococcal vaccination. Preventative interventions had substantially larger NNTs. Time-frames were inappropriately short for many chronic conditions.

Large collections of NNTs provide useful, updateable summaries of therapeutic effects in the neurosciences, an increasingly interventional clinical field.

The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders. Relative frequencies vary within different ethnic groups and geographical locations.

1) To determine the frequencies of hereditary and sporadic adult onset SCAs in the Movement Disorders population; 2) to assess if the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1) premutation is found in this population.

A retrospective chart review of individuals with a diagnosis of adult onset SCA was carried out. Testing for SCA types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8, Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), Friedreich ataxia and the FMR1 expansion was performed.

A total of 69 patients in 60 families were identified. Twenty-one (35%) of the families displayed autosomal dominant and two (3.3%) showed autosomal recessive (AR) pattern of inheritance. A positive but undefined family history was noted in nine (15%). The disorder appeared sporadic in 26 patients (43.3%). In the AD families, the most common mutation was SCA3 (23.8%) followed by SCA2 (14.3%) and SCA6 (14.3%). The SCA1 and SCA8 were each identified in 4.8%. FA was found in a pseudodominant pedigree, and one autosomal recessive pedigree. One sporadic patient had a positive test (SCA3).Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy and FMR1 testing was negative.

A positive family history was present in 53.3% of our adult onset SCA patients. A specific genetic diagnosis could be given in 61.9% of dominant pedigrees with SCA3 being the most common mutation, followed by SCA2 and SCA6. The yield in sporadic cases was low. The fragile X premutation was not found to be responsible for SCA.

The aim of the present study was to assess visual alterations in a population of Argentine patients treated with the antiepileptic drug vigabatrin.

Twenty patients receiving vigabatrin and 15 patients receiving carbamazepine were examined with automated perimetry using a Humphrey 120-point full screening strategy. In addition, scotopic flash electroretinograms were performed.

Of 20 patients treated with vigabatrin, two were unable to cooperate with testing. Of the remaining 18 patients, all but two showed at least one non-detected point inside the central 40° of the visual field of each eye. Of the 15 carbamazepine-treated patients, three were unable to perform the study. None of the remaining 12 patients showed visual field defects. Both a- and b-wave amplitudes of the scotopic electroretinogram were significantly reduced in 12 patients receiving vigabatrin.

Visual field defects among patients on vigabatrin therapy may occur with a higher frequency than previously recognized. The Humphrey 120-points full field screening test and electroretinography are useful tools to assess the visual dysfunction associated with vigabatrin.

Carotid ultrasound (US) is a screening test for patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or stroke who then undergo Digital Subtraction Angiogram (DSA) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Gold standard DSA is invasive with inherent risks and costs. MRA is an evolving technology. This study compares reliability of MRA and US modes with DSA in determining degree of internal carotid artery stenosis.

A five year retrospective analysis of 140 carotid arteries from patients who had carotid US and DSA, and possibly Magnetic Resonance Angiography was undertaken. Recorded US parameters were peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and ICA/CCA peak systolic velocity ratio. The MRA and DSA parameters used NASCET technique for measuring stenosis. Statistical analysis included ROC curves and Kappa computation.

US grading of carotid stenosis can be made more reliable by choosing appropriate parameters. The best combination of sensitivity and specificity for stenosis > 70% in our hospital was seen at PSV > 173cm/s (sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.8, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 0.70, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 0.93, kappa 0.64 and weighted kappa 0.71). MRA kappa was 0.78, (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 1.0, PPV 1.0, NPV 0.85).

US parameters should be validated in each centre. At best, US can only approximate the accuracy of DSA, probably due to inherent limitations of this modality. Magnetic Resonance Angiography has a perfect specificity and PPV but this technique needs to be standardized. Simultaneous use of MRA and US for screening increases sensitivity to over 0.9 without compromising specificity in > 70% stenosis.

To report the residency training experience of two neurologists, focusing on setting and diagnoses encountered.

Data from prospective patient logs kept by the authors during residencies completed a decade apart were compared with each other and the literature.

The range of diagnoses was broadly similar between residencies, as were the proportions of common or uncommon disorders, and the proportion of cases without a neurological diagnosis. Although most patients were seen in in-patient settings, the rates at which common neurological conditions and functional disorders were seen was comparable to published experiences of community neurologists.

The diagnostic profile of North American neurology residency appears to be relatively stable, regardless of location or date of training. In several respects, the content of current neurology residencies mirrors clinical practice well. Changes to residency training are doubtless needed, but they should be guided by a clear understanding of the experiences of contemporary trainees.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the most common underlying pathologic substrates in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of FCD is an important predictor of good surgical outcome, conventional MRI is not sensitive enough to detect all lesions. Previous reports of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) abnormalities in FCD suggest the potential of DTI in the detection of FCD. The purpose of this study was to study subcortical white matter underlying small lesions of FCD using DTI.

Five patients with medically intractable epilepsy and FCD were investigated. Diffusion tensor imaging images were acquired (20 contiguous 3mm thick axial slices) with maps of fractional anisotropy (FA), trace apparent diffusion coefficient (trace/3 ADC), and principal eigenvalues (ADC parallel and ADC perpendicular to white matter tracts) being calculated for each slice. Region of interest analysis was used to compare subcortical white matter ipsilateral and contralateral to the lesion.

Three subjects with FCD associated with underlying white matter hyperintensities on T2 weighted MRI were observed to have increased trace/3 ADC, reduced fractional anisotropy and increased perpendicular water diffusivity which was greater than the relative increase in the parallel diffusivity. No DTI abnormalities were identified in two patients with FCD without white matter hyperintensities on conventional T2-weighted MRI.

While DTI abnormalities in FCD with obvious white matter involvement are consistent with micro-structural degradation of the underlying subcortical white matter, DTI changes were not identified in FCD lesions with normal appearing white matter.

To determine the mean time for acquiring computed tomogram perfusion (CTP) and CT angiogram (CTA) images in acute stroke. To determine and compare processing and interpretation times amongst three groups of radiologists with varying degree of expertise: two radiology residents (Group I), two neuroradiology fellows (Group II) and four consultant neuroradiologists (Group III).

The mean time of acquisition of CTA and CTP studies was calculated among ten patients presenting with acute stroke. All readers had to process the CTA and CTP images, interpret them (for presence or absence of thrombus and penumbra) and save them on the GE Advantage Windows workstation. The mean time for processing and interpreting these studies was calculated.

The mean time for acquisition of CTA and CTP studies in the ten patients was 14.6 ± 5.9 minutes. The time taken for CTA processing and interpretation in Groups I, II and III was 2.3 ± 1.3 min, 1.6 ± 0.4 min and 1.5 ± 0.7 min respectively. The time required for CTP processing and interpretation by the same groups was 5.2 ± 1.7 min, 4.5 ± 1.5 min and 4.1 ± 1.1 min respectively. There was a statistically significant difference of means between Groups I and III in the CTA and CTP processing and interpretation times (p=0.02, p=0.01 respectively) but no statistical difference between Groups I and II (p=0.15, p=0.22 respectively) or Groups II and III (p=0.31, p=0.30 respectively).

The CTA and CTP studies can be performed, processed and interpreted quickly in acute stroke.

Our goal was to perform a quantitative evaluation of the improvement in functional capacity, quality of life, mental function, reduction in drug intake and impact on hospital admissions after vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. The efficacy of vertebroplasty in relief of pain has been addressed in previous publications but the quantitative evaluation of improvement in quality of life has not been addressed before.

This is a prospective study of 42 patients with 83 symptomatic vertebral fractures treated by vertebroplasty with a mean follow-up of 9.1 months. The outcome was measured by pre and postoperatively utilizing the Visual Analogue Scale, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Rolland Morris Scale for Back Pain and EuroQol-5D questionnaire (EQ-5D). The postoperative evaluations were performed at one week, one month, three month, and six month intervals thereafter.

In 34 out of 39 active patients, marked pain relief was noted (87%). The Visual Analogue Scale score improved from a mean preoperative score of 8.2 to a mean postoperative score of 2.9 (p=0.0000003) at one week follow up and 3.9 at the last follow-up. The Rolland Morris Scale for Back Pain showed a drop from a mean preoperative rating of 13 to a mean postoperative rating of 10, showing a 25% improvement (p= 0.0207). The Oswestry Disability Index preoperatively was 64.4 which improved to 43.8 postoperatively, showing a 32% improvement (p= 0.0207). The EQ-5D showed a mean preoperative index value of 0.097 and mean postoperative index value of 0.592 (p = 0.0000003). All p-values were determined by the Willcoxin sign-ranked test.

Vertebroplasty is a safe and efficacious procedure with a resulting improvement in pain and quality of life.

To evaluate the referral patterns of patients to a stroke prevention clinic (SPC) and to test the adequacy of pre-referral diagnosis and management of modifiable risk factors for stroke.

We collected prospective data on consecutive patients referred to the SPC at University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Outcome measures included: alternate diagnoses to stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), uncontrolled or undiagnosed hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, therapies, and investigations leading to carotid endarterectomy.

Two thousand and eleven patients were referred to SPC. Nearly 25% of the referrals originated from the emergency room and the rest from general physicians. Of the referrals, 68.7% were confirmed as TIA or stroke at the SPC. Among 1381 patients with TIA or stroke, 736 had history of hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension was found in 265 patients (36.0% of those with hypertension: 95% CI: 32.5–39.5) while undiagnosed hypertension was found in 103 (15.9% of those without hypertension: 95%CI: 13.14-18.79). History of hyperlipidemia was present in 451 patients (32.6%) and 356 (78.9%: 95% CI: 75.2-82.69) of these patients were not at target for secondary prevention. Among 930 patients without history of hyperlipidemia, 739 (79.5%: 95% CI: 76.8-82.1) were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia through the SPC. Fasting blood glucose levels above 7.1 mmol/L in patients with and without history of diabetes were 221 (79.2%: 95% CI: 74.5-83.9) and 66 (6%: 95%CI: 4.6-7.4) respectively.

Management of risk factors for stroke needs improvement. SPCs should consider actively managing the classical modifiable risk factors of stroke.

To survey neurosurgical practices in the treatment of chronic and subacute subdural hematoma in the Canadian adult population.

We developed and administered a questionnaire to Canadian Neurosurgeons with questions relating to the management of chronic and subacute subdural hematoma. Our sampling frame included all neurosurgery members of the Canadian Neurosurgical Society.

Of 158 questionnaires, 120 were returned (response rate = 76%). The respondents were neurosurgeons with primarily adult clinical practices (108/120). Surgeons preferred one and two burr-hole craniostomy to craniotomy or twist-drill craniostomy as the procedure of choice for initial treatment of subdural hematoma (35.5% vs 49.5% vs 4.7% vs 9.3%, respectively). Craniotomy and two burr-holes were preferred for recurrent subdural hematomas (43.3% and 35.1%, respectively). Surgeons preferred irrigation of the subdural cavity (79.6%), use of a subdural drain (80.6%), and no use of anti-convulsants or corticosteroids (82.1% and 86.6%, respectively). We identified a lack of consensus with keeping patients supine following surgery and post-operative antibiotic use.

Our survey has identified variations in practice patterns among Canadian Neurosurgeons with respect to treatment of subacute or chronic subdural hematoma (SDH). Our findings support the need for further prospective studies and clinical trials to resolve areas of discrepancies in clinical management and hence, standardize treatment regimens.

Retinal artery occlusion represents a medical emergency with poor prognosis for visual recovery. Spontaneous improvement is estimated to occur in less than 15% of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) cases and conventional treatments have provided only limited benefit. Intra-arterial thrombolysis has been reported as a potentially efficacious and safe treatment.

We performed a retrospective chart review of all retinal artery occlusion cases treated with intra-arterial recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) from January 1998 to May 2004. Patients received Goldmann perimetry visual field testing at a variable interval following the procedure (2 days-2.5 years). Visual acuity (VA) was re-assessed in May 2004.

Eight cases (59-77 years) were treated for CRAO, 6-18 hours post-onset with intra-arterial rtPA (10-20 mg over 15-60 minutes); one case of branch occlusion (BRAO) was treated with 30 mg rtPA over 75 minutes, 12 hours post-onset. Among the six patients with CRAO assessed in clinic, three experienced improvement in VA by two or more gradations (Snellen lines); three improved by one gradation. However, none achieved a final VA better than 20/300. The case of branch occlusion improved to a VA of 20/20. All patients had residual monocular field defects.

Our findings reveal a limited benefit for intra-arterial tPA compared to the rate of spontaneous improvement and conventional forms of therapy for retinal artery occlusion.

The purpose of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients with a severe stroke admitted to a specialized “slow stream” rehabilitation program and to develop a model to predict discharge destination.

Chart review of 196 consecutive non-ambulatory (“lower-band”) stroke patients admitted between 1996-2001, to a specialized in-patient rehabilitation unit designed to accommodate the needs of patients with profound disabilities, and who were considered inappropriate for conventional inpatient rehabilitation programs. Special features of this program included the availability of an independent living unit, therapies tailored to individual tolerance and the opportunity to remain on the unit for an extended period until such time that the patients' rehabilitation potential had been maximized.

Patients were admitted to the unit after a median of 49 days following stroke onset. Their median admission and discharge functional independence measure (FIMTM) scores were 46 and 70, respectively. The improvement in ability to perform self-care tasks was statistically significant (Z= -11.18, p<0.0001). By discharge, 54 patients (28%) were able to ambulate independently (with or without an assistive device), while 142 patients (72%) remained wheelchair dependent. Eighty-five patients (43%) returned to their own home upon rehabilitation discharge, while the remainder were admitted to nursing homes or hospitals closer to the patients' home. Admission FIM score, age, no previous history of stroke and male sex were the variables found to most strongly predict discharge home.

Patients with severe strokes who received individualized care on a highly specialized stroke rehabilitation unit achieved impressive functional outcomes despite a lag of seven weeks post stroke before rehabilitation was initiated. Many patients were no longer wheelchair dependent and almost half returned home. Active rehabilitation should not be limited to “middle-band” stroke patients.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of rhythmic coma patterns in comatose children and to ascertain the prognostic significance of reactive rhythmic coma patterns.

We retrospectively analyzed and classified electroencephalogram (EEGs) in comatose children between two months and 18 years of age during the period 1996 - 2003 according to modified Young's classification. Outcome at one-year was scored according to the Paediatric Cerebral and Overall Performance Category Scale. Outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test.

Analysis of 63 electroencephalogram (EEG) records in 38 patients showed rhythmic patterns in 19 records (30.2%; 9 alpha, 4 spindle, 4 theta and 2 beta coma patterns, total number of children = 14). Aetiology and outcome of alpha coma patterns and other rhythmic coma patterns were similar. In five children, one type of rhythmic pattern changed to another. Records with reactive rhythmic coma 66.7% (6/9), were associated with favourable outcome. Sixty percent of the records (6/10 records in seven children) with non-reactive pattern were associated with unfavourable outcome. This clinically significant difference did not reach statistical significance (lower Paediatric Cerebral and Overall Performance Category Scale score p= 0.14; favourable outcome p=0.19).

Rhythmic coma patterns in comatose children are not uncommon. Aetiology, reactivity and outcome of individual patterns are similar and thus make the rhythmic coma patterns distinct EEG signatures in comatose children. There was a clinically significant better outcome with reactive rhythmic coma patterns.