Overview CME Information Lectures Faculty

Paradigm Shifts in the Management of Acute Stroke in the Emergency Department

Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of adult disability. During the past 10 years there have been significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of stroke and in our diagnostic and management approaches. Initiatives in acute stroke care have placed the emergency physician in a leading role in decision making about the care these patients receive — decision making that begins in the prehospital arena and carries through to the neurocritical care unit.

Although fibrinolytic treatment has received the most attention, acute stroke care is multifaceted and dependent on efficient systems that ensure comprehensive care. Unfortunately, the outcomes for patients with a newly diagnosed stroke remain unacceptable despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. This symposium will review the contribution that early diagnosis and intervention in the emergency department can make in reducing morbidity and mortality in acute stroke patients.

First, an overview will explore the past and future of transient ischemic attack and acute stroke diagnosis and management. Presentations will follow, covering recent recommendations such as the updated 2005 guidelines from the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; the role of stroke scales in the assessment of neurologic impairment of stroke patients in the emergency department; and how new investigational neuroprotective agents may potentially offer benefit to stroke patients without the hemorrhagic risk of thrombolytic therapy.

 

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University of Michigan Conflict of Interest Statement and Disclosure Policies

As an accredited CME provider, it is the policy of the University of Michigan to ensure that the content of this educational activity is balanced, independent, scientifically rigorous, and free of commercial bias.

All faculty participating in this CME activity are expected to disclose to the learners any significant financial interest or relevant financial relationship(s) with commercial supporters. Such relationships may include grants, research support, employee, consultant, stockholder, member of speaker's bureau, member of board of directors, participants in industry-sponsored research, or recipient of a research grant.

The intent of the disclosure is not to prevent a speaker with significant financial or other relevant relationships from making a presentation but rather to provide the learners with information on which they can make their own judgments. It remains for the learner to determine whether the speaker's interests or relationships may influence the presentation with regard to exposition or conclusion.

The presenting faculty reported the following:

Andrew W. Asimos, MD, has no financial interest/relationship or affiliation in any form to disclose.

Andy S. Jagoda, MD, FACEP, has a financial interest/relationship or affiliation in the form of: Consultant for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, UCB Pharma, and Eisai Inc.

Latha G. Stead, MD, FACEP, has no financial interest/relationship or affiliation in any form to disclose.

Bentley J. Bobrow, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, has no financial interest/relationship or affiliation in any form to disclose.

The CME reviewer and staff reported the following:

Phillip Scott, MD, BSE, has no financial interest/relationship or affiliation in any form to disclose.

Pierre Lavalard, MBA, MA, has no financial interest/relationship or affiliation in any form to disclose.

Statement of Unlabeled Uses

The University of Michigan has determined that disclosure of unlabeled/off-label or investigational use of commercial product(s) is informative for audiences and requires that such disclosure be communicated by speakers to the learners at the beginning of presentations. Specific medicines discussed in this program may not be approved and/or may not be specified to be used as indicated by speakers. Before prescribing any medication, review the complete prescribing information, including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse effects.

Acknowledgement of Commercial Support

Supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

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