Does the use of telemedicine in combination with a new stroke-code-box significantly increase t-PA use in rural communities?
Stroke care, including t-PA thrombolysis in non-urban areas, is feasible using a modern stroke unit concept within a telestroke network. With the expertise of specialized stroke centers accessed via telemedicine and the design of a stroke-code-box for t-PA thrombolysis, nearly one-third of patients presented with a possible indication for systemic thrombolysis can be treated with t-PA, thereby increasing the options for a successful stroke treatment.
The anatomical status of the circle of Willis assessed with cranial CT angiography does not correlate with functional and intraoperative tests examining the cerebral cross-perfusion. The authors do not recommend cranial CT angiography as a preoperative standard examination before open arch surgery in which unilateral cerebral perfusion is scheduled.