• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 2023

Objective: The term "weekend effect" refers to an increase in the mortality rate for hospitalizations occurring on weekends versus weekdays. In this study, we investigated whether such an effect exists in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (currently the standard treatment for this condition) at a single center in Japan. Methods: We surveyed 151 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (75 and 76 patients were treated during daytime and nighttime, respectively) from January 2019 to June 2021. The items evaluated in this analysis were the rate of modified Rankin Scale ≤2 or prestroke scale, mortality, and procedural treatment time. Results: The rates of modified Rankin Scale ≤2 or prestroke scale and mortality at 90 days after treatment did not differ significantly between daytime and nighttime (41.3% vs. 29.0%, p=0.11; 14.7% vs. 11.8%, p=0.61, respectively). The door-to-groin time tended to be shorter during daytime versus nighttime (57 [IQR: 42.5-70] min vs. 70 [IQR: 55-82]) min, p=0.0507). Conclusions: This study did not reveal differences in treatment outcome between daytime and nighttime in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. Therefore, the "weekend effect" was not observed in our institution.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

Objectives : This study investigated stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in both sexes. Methods : 307 patients with acute stroke within 14 days onset were included, who were admitted to Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from October 2005 to May 2007. Stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in both sexes were examined. Results : Mean age was higher among women than men (64.82${\pm}$10.21 years versus 62.18${\pm}$11.52 years for the 137 female and 170 male patients, respectively, p=0.037). There were no significant differences in stroke type, ischemic stroke subtypes, or stroke risk factors except smoking and Sasang constitutions. Current smoking was more frequent in male patients (p<0.001). Stroke complications, especially urinary tract infection (UTI), were significantly more common in women (p=0.002). Conclusion : Sex does not seem to influence stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, or stroke risk factors except current smoking and Sasang constitutions. UTI should be taken into consideration to manage female stroke patients. Smoking cessation is indicated to prevent stroke in men.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.437-448
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• 2018

Objective: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) requires time-dependent reperfusion therapy, and early recognition of AIS is important to patient outcomes. This study was conducted to identify the clinical features and risk factors of AIS patients that are missed during the early stages of diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed AIS patients admitted to a hospital through the emergency department. AIS patients were defined as ischemic stroke patients who visited the emergency department within 6 hours of symptom onset. Patients were classified into two groups: an activation group (A group), in which patients were identified as AIS and the stroke team was activated, and a non-activation group (NA group), for whom the stroke team was not activated. Results: The stroke team was activated for 213 of a total of 262 AIS patients (81.3%), while it was not activated for the remaining 49 (18.7%). The NA group was found to be younger, have lower initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, lower incidence of previous hypertension, and a greater incidence of cerebellum and cardio-embolic infarcts than the A group. The chief complaints in the A group were traditional stroke symptoms, side weakness (61.0%), and speech disturbance (17.8%), whereas the NA group had non-traditional symptoms, dizziness (32.7%), and decreased levels of consciousness (22.4%). Independent factors associated with missed stroke team activation were nystagmus, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, gait disturbance, and general weakness. Conclusion: A high index of AIS suspicion is required to identify such patients with these findings. Education on focused neurological examinations and the development of clinical decision tools that could differentiate non-stroke and stroke are needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.79-99
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• 2024

Background: There was an important revision of the Korean Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke (KCPGS) for antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke in 2022. This review is to provide an updated information in this revision. Methods: The revision history by year after the first announcement was examined for each topic, focusing on antithrombotic therapy during acute phase which was revised in 2022. We compared before and after the revision, and investigated the clinical outcomes presented as evidence. It was also compared with the current U.S. guidelines. Results: The major changes about antiplatelet therapy are a clause stating that dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin initiated within 24 hours from the stroke onset and maintained for up to 21-30 days is recommended as an acute treatment, as well as the clause that antithrombotic therapy may be initiated within 24 hours after intravenous thrombolytics and that the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists can be considered in highly selected patients as rescue therapy taking into account of benefit and risk. The change to the use of anticoagulants is that it may be reasonable to start oral anticoagulant between 4 and 14 days after stroke onset for patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: It will be helpful in improving health outcomes for clinical pharmacists to be aware of the latest information for antithrombotic therapy and to actively use it in pharmaceutical care of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2 s.70
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• pp.241-246
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• 2007

Objectives : This study investigated stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in two groups divided by age according to the weakness of shingi (shenqi): younger (40 to 63 years) and older (= 64 years). Methods : 165 male patients with acute stroke within 14 days onset were included, who were admitted to Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from October 2005 to May 2007. Stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in two age groups were examined. Results : Mean ages were $53.01{\pm}6.16$ and $70.95{\pm}6.37$ years for the younger 77 patients and older 88 subjects, respectively. There were no significant differences in stroke type, ischemic stroke subtypes, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions. Current smoking was more frequent in the younger age group (P= 0.005). Conclusion : Age does not seem to influence stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, stroke risk factors (except current smoking), stroke complications or Sasang constitutions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.633-638
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• 2001

Objective : Stroke is the most frequent cause of death in Korea. Because it remains severe disablities disturbing normal life, it is important to carry out intervention preventing from progression of condition in patients with acute ischemic stroke within therapeutic time window. Thus early thrombolysis is beneficial for patients with acute ischemic stroke. However its therapeutic efficacy is not known in combination with oriental medical therapy. In this study, we investigated the safety and the clinical effect of continous intravenous urokinase therapy and oriental medical therapy. Methods : Twenty eight patients with acute onset of ischemic stroke no later than three days received continous infusion of urokinase and oriental medical therapy. We estimated the subjects's neurological deficit and functional status with National institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke Scale(NIHSS) and Europian Stroke Scale (ESS) prior to therapy, on day 3, 7, 14 after the starting urokinase therapy and on day at discharge. Results: After day 7, the scores of NIHSS and ESS were improved significantly. There are no differences in therapeutic effects of the interval between onset of stroke and initiation of therapy. Complication were noted in four(14%) patients, but these are not fatal complication and make no neurological deficiency. Conclusion : The results of these investment suggest that continuous intravenous urokinase with oriental medical therapy could be a safe and effective intervention to prevent from progression in acute ischemic stroke. But this findings should be confirmed in multicenter double blind controlled trial.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.799-814
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the clinical pictures and rehabilitation service patterns of stroke patients in cities of kimchon(kumi), jinju. pohwang, jeonju and jeju from January 1,2001 to march. Authors developed structured questionnaire, and distributed it to each physical therapist. Total number of distributed questionnaire was 400, and 301 questionnaire were col looted and analysed finally.1. The occurrence rate of hemorrhagic stroke(60.5%) was higher than that of ischemic stroke(39.5%). The highest incidence of the stroke was noted in the group of 50 years and ratio of male to female 1.3 : 1. 2. The several warning sign is motor deficit(42.5%). headache. dizziness, vomitting(31.9%) and difficulty speaking or understanding(10.6%). 3. The most important contributing factor of stroke was hypertension both hemorrhagic(50.0%) and ischemic stroke(40.3%). 4. In the painful stroke patients(53.2%). the major problems were shoulder pain(51.3%) and shoulder-hand syndrom(31.3%). 5. In hemorrhagic stroke. the seasonal preference was autumn and summer. In ischemic stroke. the seasonal preference was autumn and winter. 6. In the surgery, hemorrhgic stroke(44.5%) was higher than that of ischemic stroke(20.2%). 7 The major impairment were motor deficit(95.3%), psychological deficits(24.4%), hearing and speech deficit(23.4%). vision deficit(14.7%) and perception deficit(12.7%). 8. The rehabilitation services for stroke patients were physical therapy(98.0%), occupational therapy(41.5%), oriental therapy(35.1%), speech therapy(17.5%) and psychological therapy(7.4%). 9. The start of rehabilitation service was different according to surgery. 36.5% of patients started physical therapy in 4 week and 32.0% of patients started in 8 week later in surgery and 53.1% of patients started physical therapy in 2 week in not surgery( P<0.05). 10. The highest frequency of rehabilitation service was six times per week.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.734-742
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and correlation of stroke risk factor according to age with stroke patients. This study was based on clinical data registered in Daejeon Oriental Medical Hospital from November 2006 to December 2010. Study subjects consisted of 779 patients with stroke within 1 month and they were classified according to age and existence of past history such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart diseaseand stroke family history. Stroke family history was distributed differently according to age unlike past history and in their 50's showed a particularly high rate. There was not statistically significant correlation between stroke family history and past history except for only between stroke family history and diabetes mellitus in the patients in their 80's and more. There was statistically significant correlation between hypertension and diabetes mellitus and especially in the patients in their 60's and 70's. There was statistically significant correlation between hypertension and ischemic heart disease and especially in the patients in their 80's and more. There was statistically significant correlation between diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease in the patients in their 60's. There was statistically significant correlation among hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, but stroke family history and past history had independence, so management and research for this subject should be required further and further.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.585-591
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• 2022

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with atherosclerosis, suggesting that KRG extract may be effective in preventing subsequent ischemic stroke in patients with severe atherosclerosis. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized patients with severe atherosclerosis in major intracranial arteries or extracranial carotid artery, to ginseng group and placebo group. They were given two 500-mg KRG tablets or identical placebo tablets twice daily for 12 months according to randomization. The primary endpoint was the composite of cerebral ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack during 12 months after randomization. The secondary endpoints were change in volumetric blood flow of the intracranial vessels and the incidence of newly developed asymptomatic ischemic lesions. Any adverse events were monitored. Results: Fifty-eight patients were randomized from June 2016 to June 2017, 29 to ginseng and 29 to placebo, and 52 (28 and 24, respectively) completed the study. One patient in the placebo group, but none in the ginseng group, experienced ischemic symptoms (p = 0.46). Changes in volumetric blood flow and the presence of ischemic brain lesions did not differ significantly in the two groups, and none of these patients experienced adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: Ginseng was well tolerated by patients with severe atherosclerosis, with these patients showing good compliance with ginseng dosing. Ginseng did not show significant effects compared with placebo, although none of the ginseng-treated patients experienced ischemic events. Long-term studies in larger patient populations are required to test the effect of ginseng.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2006

The Sasang constitutional medicine classifies the mankind into four constitutional types according to the individual psychological and physical traits. Differences in the Sasang constitutional medicine may be explained by the genetic factors. In order to determine the association of Sasang constitutional classification and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in genetic susceptibility to ischemic stroke, we classified the four constitutional types in ischemic stroke patients (n = 125) and the healthy control subjects (n = 107), and genotyped for IL-1Ra polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The distribution of the $IL1RN^*1/IL1RN^*2$ genotype in the ischemic stroke patients was significantly different from the healthy controls (OR = 6.09; P =0.0134). And the prevalence of $IL1RN^*1/IL1RN^*2$ genotype was increased in Taeum-in ischemic stroke patients, as compared to Taeum-in healthy controls (OR = 14.71; P = 0.0144). These results suggest that $IL1RN^*1/IL1RN^*2$ genotype in Taeum-in might be associated with the increasing risk for ischemic stroke. Furthermore, this relationship could provide the basis for a new approach in the investigation of the etiology of ischemic stroke.