Evolving Views in PFO Management

Primary prevention of ischemic stroke or TIA is similar to prevention of recurrent events. Key to preventing cerebrovascular events (primary and recurrent) is the optimization of lifestyle factors, including healthy diet and physical activity.  This podcast will discuss the evaluation and management of vascular risk factors that are extremely important in stroke prevention, including diabetes, smoking cessation, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension—with goals of therapy tailored to the individual patient. We will also discuss specific recommendations for prevention strategies based on the ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack mechanism. Therefore, it is important to define ischemic stroke etiology and to identify targets for treatment to reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke.

Drs. Eliza Miller, Jose Fernando Triana, and Virginia Howard introduce the epidemiology of stroke in younger women with a focus on women of reproductive age and discuss the work-up of spontaneous cervical artery dissection as a common cause of stroke in young women, and the consideration of hypertension as a top modifiable risk factor for stroke. Learn about how hypertension is often underdiagnosed in younger women, the importance of assessing and monitoring blood pressure and how to deliver guideline-based management of hypertension, especially during pregnancy.

Dr. Robert Canby, Dr. Rawan Albadareen, and Dr. Dhanunjaya R. Lakkireddy discuss ECG monitoring for AFib following ischemic stroke. Improve outcomes for individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke by utilizing long-term ECG monitoring to identify AFib and initiate anticoagulation to prevent subsequent strokes where necessary.  Learn about the role of catheter ablation, left atrial appendage occlusion and new Factor XI Inhibitors in patients with stroke and AFib. Understand access to care issues and the impact of race, gender, and socioeconomic status on stroke care.  CE, ACPE, and ABIM credits available.

Aggressive medical management, often performed by multidisciplinary teams, is usually best for secondary stroke prevention. When assessing the likelihood that a stroke is associated with Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) it is necessary to synthesize a variety of factors. In this episode Dr. Molly Szerlip, Dr. Steven R. Messe, and Dr. Megan Stevens discuss how collaboration between cardiovascular and neurovascular health care professionals can address the management of risk factors. HCA Healthcare is proud to be the national supporter of Getting to the Heart of Stroke™. CE, ACPE, and ABIM MOC credits available. Visit https://learn.heart.org/lms/activity?@activity.id=8037223 to register, complete and evaluation, and claim credit.

HCA Healthcare is proud to be the national supporter of Getting to the Heart of Stroke™. CE and ABIM MOC credits available. Visit https://bit.ly/GTHS_Pod1

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