Mediterranean Diet Prevents Stroke

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Mar 032013
 

Although it has been known for some time that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts was linked to heart health, a major study recently published lends stronger support to the dietary approach to prevention of cardiovascular disease. In a study of over 7000 people in Spain, followed for almost five years, there was a significant difference in outcome of patients eating a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or nuts compared to a low fat diet. The endpoint of the study was the composite of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death. This study had to be stopped because of the benefit of the Mediterranean diet.

The traditional Mediterranean diet, the researchers noted, is characterized by lots of olive oil, fruit, nuts, vegetables, legumes, and cereals, some fish and poultry, and limited amounts of dairy products, red meat, processed meats, and sweets. As well, the diet includes moderate amounts of wine with meals.

The results were dramatic. Both groups eating the Mediterranean diet had a roughly 30% reduction in outcome events. There was no significant difference in weight loss between the groups. This dietary strategy is not about weight, it is about health.

The importance of this study is significant. In addition to proving the efficacy of the dietary intervention in a rigorously performed clinical trial, it demonstrates that the preventive effect of diet is similar to that of intervention with drugs, such as aspirin and statin medications.

More information on the study is available here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225181536.htm

FDA narrows indications for Wingspan intracranial stent system

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Aug 142012
 

Stryker’s Wingspan stent is used to open narrowed arteries within the brain in patients who are experiencing repeated strokes. This is a serious condition with few treatment options. The device was originally approved by FDA in 2005 as a Humanitarian Use Device (HDE), a category for rare conditions.

FDA has changed the labeling of this device to limit the use of Wingspan to a narrow, select group of patients and conditions. These changes are based on analysis of the original clinical study that led to approval, and data from subsequent studies, including the Stenting vs Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) study.

The indications for use are now limited to a specific group of patients with severe arterial narrowing in the brain who have continued to have strokes despite medical therapy, and who have not had symptoms for 7 days prior to planned treatment with Wingspan.

Wingspan is now approved only for patients who are between 22-80 years old AND who meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • who have had two or more strokes despite aggressive medical management
  • whose most recent stroke occurred more than seven days prior to planned treatment
  • who have 70-99% narrowing of an artery in the brain related to the recurrent strokes, and
  • who have made a good recovery from previous stroke and have a low score on a scale of disability

The FDA safety communication may be viewed here

New AHA/ASA scientific advisory on stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

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Aug 142012
 

The American Heart Association / American Stroke Association has published a scientific advisory which includes new oral anticoagulants to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. For many years, the only oral anticoagulant available has been warfarin (Coumadin). Alternatives have now been introduced. Dabigatran (Pradaxa) was approved by FDA in October 2010, followed by rivaroxaban [...]

Closure of Cardiac Defect No Better than Medical Therapy

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Mar 162012
 

A much anticipated clinical study which has taken years to complete was published in the New England Journal of Medicine yesterday. Some people have a small hole known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) between two chambers of the heart. This defect, although not rare, is recognized as a cause of stroke in some cases. [...]

Chocolate May Lower Stroke Risk

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Nov 072011
 

A new study shows that women who consume chocolate regularly had a reduced risk of stroke. The data was derived from a group of over 33,000 women in Sweden being followed for a mammography study. Those reporting higher intake; equivalent to two chocolate bars a week, had a significantly reduced risk of stroke. Women without [...]

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