Humana Handbook of Stroke Prevention in Clinical Practice (Current Clinical Neurology)

Despite major advances in the understanding of stroke mechanisms that have occurred over the past quarter century, stroke continues to rank among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Although currently it may be difficult to believe, early doubts were expressed as to whether inter ventions in risk factors for either coronary disease or stroke would actually lead to a reduction in the incidence of these disorders. However, large clini cal trials in hypertension, carotid disease, atrial fibrillation, and antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapies have effectively demonstrated the efficacy of these targeted interventions in reducing stroke incidence. More recently, after earlier uncertainty regarding the role of elevated lipids as a risk factor for stroke, clinical trials of the statins have also demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of ischemic stroke. However, as em phasized in Handbook of Stroke Prevention in Clinical Practice, despite these gains and the initial decline in stroke incidence that did occur in the 1960s and 1970s, the incidence of stroke disappointingly has failed to show a fur ther significant decline since that time. The editors of Handbook of Stroke Prevention in Clinical Practice raise the very important question of whether recognized strategies for stroke preven tion have been widely or effectively implemented. They correctly empha size the critical importance of identifying the mechanism of stroke in each patient so as to properly direct prevention and treatment. As Dr. Review "As a comprehensive yet succinct source of information to the provider with tables and graphs summarizing key points of each chapter, this book will be invaluable in providing recommendations about modifying stroke risk factors. 4 Stars!" -Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "...a very comprehensive analysis of both common and less common causes of stroke...strongly recommend(ed)." - Age and Ageing "...undoubtedly a 'must have' part of the clinical pharmacist's library...informative and pertinent to the management of this growing population of at-risk patients." - The Annals of Pharmacology "...offers a succinct analysis of evidence-based stroke management and might easily serve as a guide for any physician who routinely treats patients with cerebrovascular disease." - Texas Heart Institute Journal "...an excellent guide through state-of-the-art information concerning risk factors and available intervention strategies in patients with stroke." - J. Neuosurg From the Back Cover Although the strategies for stroke prevention are scientifically validated and widely accepted, they are often not effectively implemented, and the incidence of stroke has not decreased significantly. In Handbook of Stroke Prevention in Clinical Practice, leading physicians bring together all the up-to-date resources that a physician needs everyday in the office to assess and treat patients at high risk of stroke. The authors isolate the individual areas where intervention can help reduce stroke risk, providing not only background data on the major risk factors (hypertension, lipids, diabetes, tobacco, and alcohol)-along with the epidemiological and clinical trials data available to support the proposed intervention-but also practical advice on such lifestyle issues as diet, vitamin use, and exercise. Among the therapies fully discussed are lipid management, antithrombotic therapy, hormonal therapy, stenting, and angioplasty. Many of the basic tools necessary to measure risk and counsel patients are also provided, along with informative discussions of the less common causes of stroke, perioperative stroke risk assessment and management, the possibilities for early detection using novel biomarkers, and genetic susceptibility to stroke. Comprehensive and state-of-the-art, Handbook of Stroke Prevention in Clinical Practice is a concise survey of stroke and stro