Share

Highlights from Stroke, June 2001

Mexican-Americans’ study finds barriers to stroke treatment

Mexican Americans are less likely to recognize the risk factors of stroke, to call 9-1-1 for stroke, or know that effective stroke therapy exists – significant barriers to both stroke treatment and prevention – according to a report in the June issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The telephone survey gathered 719 responses in the bi-ethnic community of Corpus Christi, Texas, and focused on the respondents’ knowledge of stroke risk factors, their ability to access acute stroke therapy resources, and quality medical care. Researchers sought to explain roadblocks that prevent the use of these resources. Of the respondents, 357 were Mexican American and 362 were non-Hispanic whites.

Both groups did poorly in naming stroke symptoms, but Mexican Americans performed significantly worse. In addition, Mexican Americans were less confident in their ability to prevent stroke and had more distrust of the medical establishment.

Hispanics are now the largest minority group in the United States and Mexican Americans are the largest sub-group of Hispanics, say researchers. In addition to improving stroke education for this population, improving motivation to seek acute stroke care and prevent stroke is critical. Stroke is both remarkably preventable and treatable and this message must make its way into the Mexican-American population, perhaps through churches, trusted personal physicians and health promotion projects, say researchers. Lewis B. Morgenstern, M.D., University of Texas Medical School, Houston, 713-500-7078; e-mail: lewis.morgenstern@uth.tmc.edu

American Stroke Association develops recommendations for brain vessel abnormalities

Technology advances have increased both the detection and treatment options for rare abnormalities in brain blood vessels called intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

A writing group of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has developed recommendations for current practice standards to serve as the basis for the development of treatment strategies for AVMs. “Recommendations for the Management of Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals” is published in the May 29 issue of Circulation and the June issue of Stroke.

These brain abnormalities are occasionally seen in the elderly but are usually diagnosed before age 40. It is estimated that 4.3 percent of the population may have AVMs.

When AVMs rupture, they can cause serious neurological symptoms or death. They had typically been discovered when they rupture, causing bleeding or seizures. However, contemporary brain imaging techniques have increased the numbers that are detected earlier. In the last decade, there has been an evolution of microsurgical, endovascular and radiation techniques to treat them. Christopher S. Ogilvy, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, 617-726-3303, e-mail: cogilvy@partners.org.

CONTACT: For journal copies only, please call: 214-706-1396. For other information, call: Carole Bullock: 214-706-1279 or Bridgette McNeill: 214-706-1135.

Share

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.