Assessment of the Modified Rankin Scale in Electronic Health Records with a Fine-tuned Large Language Model.

Introduction: The modified Rankin scale (mRS) is an important metric in stroke research, often used as a primary outcome in clinical trials and observational studies. The mRS can be assessed retrospectively from electronic health records (EHR), though this process is labor-intensive and prone to inter-rater variability. Large language models (LLMs) have demonstrated potential in automating clinical text classification.

Electronic Informed Consent in the Multi-Arm Optimization of Stroke Thrombolysis Trial.

Background: Obtaining timely informed consent is a key barrier in acute ischemic stroke clinical trial recruitment. Electronic consent (eConsent) allows electronic delivery and documentation of the informed consent process, which may optimize recruitment. eConsent in acute ischemic stroke clinical trials, however, is limited and understudied.

Implementing Telestroke in the Inpatient Setting: Identifying Factors for Success.

Background: Inpatient telestroke programs have emerged as a solution to provide timely stroke care in underserved areas, but their successful implementation and factors influencing their effectiveness remain underexplored. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the perspectives of inpatient clinicians located at spoke hospitals participating in a newly established inpatient telestroke program to identify implementation barriers and facilitators.

Methods: This was a formative evaluation relying on semistructured qualitative interviews with 16 inpatient providers (physicians and nurse practitioners) at 5 spoke sites of a hub-and-spoke inpatient telestroke program.

Ischemic Stroke and Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: A Review.

The potential of covert pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) to cause early onset, preventable ischemic strokes is not well known to neurologists. This is evident by their lack of mention in serial American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Guidelines and the single case report biased literature of recent years. We performed PubMed and Cochrane database searches for major studies on ischemic stroke and PAVMs published from January 1, 1974, through April 3, 2021.

Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation plus tracking training therapy in people with stroke: an open-label feasibility study.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an effective neuromodulation adjunct to repetitive motor training in promoting motor recovery post-stroke. Finger tracking training is motor training whereby people with stroke use the impaired index finger to trace waveform-shaped lines on a monitor. Our aims were to assess the feasibility and safety of a telerehabilitation program consisting of tDCS and finger tracking training through questionnaires on ease of use, adverse symptoms, and quantitative assessments of motor function and cognition.

Video evidence of improved hand function following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with physical therapy in stroke: a case report.

In a 46-year-old female 6 months poststroke who presented with minimal paretic hand function, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and exercises considerably improved her function beyond that accomplished with conventional rehabilitation. However, intermittent rTMS (2 sessions/week) was required to sustain the benefits. Research is required to determine the critical frequency of intermittent rTMS needed to sustain functional gains long term.

Early decompressive craniectomy for malignant cerebral infarction: Meta-analysis and clinical decision algorithm.

Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is an aggressive life-saving surgical intervention for patients with malignant cerebral infarction (MCI). However, DC remains inconsistently and infrequently utilized, primarily due to enduring concern that increased survival occurs only at the cost of poor functional outcome. Our aim was to clarify the role of DC performed within 48 hours (early DC) for patients with MCI, including patients aged >60 years.