The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) held its first Hybrid Annual Meeting November 17-20, 2021, virtually and on-site in Phoenix, AZ. It provided an opportunity for top-of-the-line education, networking opportunities, and discussions. Please visit their website: https://svin2021.com for further details and access to the conference. Become a member of SVIN and the CSC. In this episode, our host @neuroccm joins SVIN's new President Dr. Ameer Hassan @AmeerEHassan to...

This is an official Canadian Stroke Consortium (CSC) - StrokeFM Podcast episode: Neuroprotection and stroke care What does the future hold?  Where are we coming from and where are we going?  These and other exciting topics of discussion in conversation with Dr. Michael Hill (Calgary Stroke Program) as we chat about ESCAPE NA1 and ESCAPE NEXT. ESCAPE-NEXT is a multi-centre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel Group, single-dose trial designed to determine the efficacy and...

In this episode we get together with Dr. Tess Fitzpatrick @TessFitzNeuro (first author on a recent paper on this topic: Quality of anticoagulation using intravenous unfractionated heparin for cerebrovascular indications) and Dr. Katherine Sawicka @KatherineSawic1 (our resident guru in Clinical Epidemiology and lover of all things research methods) to discuss challenges with anticoagulation using unfractionated heparin infusions. This is not to be confused with the fact that this agent...

On this inaugural joint CSC (Canadian Stroke Consortium) Stroke FM episode, two colleagues from Calgary's Stroke program Bijoy Menon @bijoymenon and Andrew Demchuk discuss nuances of the soon-to-be-published MR CLEAN-NO IV trial (direct to EVT vs. bridging therapy) after the trial's results were showcased at ISC 2021. We look forward to future episodes as the joint CSC-Stroke FM collaboration unfolds on this podcast. We aim to highligh new and exciting scientific breakthroughs, educational...

AHA International Stroke Conference 2021 In this episode @neuroccm highlights three studies from #ISC2021 AHA's International Stroke Conference. We have the distinct privilege of having music by BreakMasterCylinder who has graciously contributed their compositions to our podcast focused on Stroke Education and awareness. We are most thankful - Please Follow @BrkmstrCylinder and contribute at Patreon.  Featured Studies: ANGIO-CAT Study "Nonetheless this represents an extremely exciting...

In this episode, two keen Resident MDs Drs. Ryan Muir (PGY4) and Jaime Cazes (PGY1) join us for an in-depth at how things are going! A recent look back from within the 2'nd wave of COVID (in Canada), which thankfully is subsiding. They provide insight into how COVID has impacted their residency training, what our program has done, and how new learning opportunities have manifested in the form of Virtual Care. #TakeCare Everyone and keep looking out for your #Wellness as we look forward to...

Did you ask about thrombolysis? We are here to deliver anxiolysis! In this second of a two-part episode of 2021, we discuss "crisis resource management" (CRM) in acute stroke - a cognitive, mindfulness, and non-technical framework for optimizing clinical performance and working in high-performing teams. CRM is a tool to master four operational domains: that of the self, teamwork, our working environment, and of course, (care for) our patient. Using CRM principles helps make us better...

Did you ask about thrombolysis? We are here to deliver anxiolysis! In this first of a two-part episode of 2021, we discuss "crisis resource management" (CRM) in acute stroke - a cognitive, mindfulness, and non-technical framework for optimizing clinical performance and working in high-performing teams. CRM is a tool to master four operational domains: that of the self, teamwork, our working environment, and of course, (care for) our patient. Using CRM principles helps make us better...

Greetings Stroke FM listeners. We are back in 2021 with an exciting series of Podcasts, follow-up episodes, clinical and non-technical discussions and new future partnerships. Looking forward to releasing episodes as we record them this year and moving onwards! Take care + stay safe!

Song written and performed by Jaime Cazes

Key Terms: Thrombolysis, endovascular therapy, Hosts: Ryan Muir, Houman Khosravani Summary: In this episode the hosts discuss the future of stroke by exploring and proposing novel applied modern concepts of endovascular and thrombolytic therapies to innovative and creative ideas for the future. Endovascular therapy for distal vessels is discussed Improving geographic access to endovascular therapy (especially for wide spread countries like Canada) The role of the NIHSS score in the...

Key Terms: Transition to residency, Work-life balance, Mentorship, Surviving PGY1 Hosts: Sydney Lee, Jaime Cazes and Houman Khosravani Summary: First few days of residency Managing expectations Discovering the rewards of residency Going from off-service to on-service Balancing residency with lifestyle Mentorship Surviving call Three take home points A positive attitude will take you far Reach out to your fellow residents Enjoy yourself as much as possible

Key Terms: COVID-19, Stroke Orientation, NVU Hosts: Jane Liao, Houman Khosravani Summary: Purpose of modified procedures - Limit human-human interaction Handover in separate rooms Limit hand-off of items (pager, tools) and wipe down after doing so Virtual meeting apps (Zoom, Google Meet) for rounds/teaching when possible Have a moderator for meetings focused on keeping discussions concise Send residents home early if the day's tasks are complete and they are not needed Assign...

Key Terms: Protected Code Stroke, COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment Hosts: Phavalan Rajendram, Jaime Cazes, Houman Khosravani Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique challenges in delivering hyperacute stroke care The “Protected Code Stroke” (PCS) protocol provides a framework for safely and efficiently delivering hyperacute stroke care Know when to activate a PCS Always use PPE with correct donning & doffing techniques Always appoint a safety leader Use crisis...

Key Terms: COVID-19, PPE, Pandemic, medical education Hosts: Jaime Cazes, Houman Khosravani Summary: This episode covers how COVID-19 has impacted healthcare and medical education from the viewpoints of a graduating 4th year medical student and a staff physician.

Key Terms: ICH, blood pressure control, spot sign Hosts: Phavalan Rajendram, Neha Patel, Houman Khosravani Summary: Hemorrhagic strokes (HS) account for ~15-20% of all strokes There is a significant morbidity and mortality associated with HS Early blood pressure control is key in the management of HS CTA can identify a spot sign (may indicate increased risk of hematoma expansion) Etiologies Find out if the patient is on anticoagulation so that it can be reversed Make sure the...

Key terms: DAPT, Minor stroke, TIA Hosts: Tess Fitzpatrick, Katherine Sawicka, and Houman Khosravani Summary: Monotherapy with antiplatelet Dual antiplatelet evidence critical appraisal CHANCE POINT

Key terms: Feedback, communication, competence by design Hosts: Neha Patel, Phavalan Rajendram and Houman Khosravani Summary: Feedback can feel uncomfortable More feedback at more time points is effective for resident growth Competence by design Types of feedback Debriefing as a team after difficult and complex medical situations How to learn and grow from feedback as a resident Sandwich approach to feedback Be constructive, goal is to help person improve...

Key terms: Stroke rotation survival guide, NIHSS tips, Burnout prevention Hosts: Katherine Sawicka, Tess Fitzpatrick, and Houman Khosravani Summary: Code stroke basics Establish roles within the team – history-taker, examiner Clarify history from EMS, family, bystanders (ie: last seen well) Know your NIHSS Anxiolysis Useful apps NIHSS score & stroke tools Neuro toolkit Do some reading ahead of time Canadian Best Practices guidelines are a great resource Learn ASPECTS ...

Key Terms: Endovascular therapy (EVT), Mechanical Thrombectomy, Large Vessel Occlusion, CT-Perfusion, Perfusion Mismatch Hosts: Ryan Muir, Tess Fitzpatrick, Houman Khosravani Summary: What is endovascular therapy? What were the early trials of EVT – what did we learn from them? MULTI – MERCI PENUMBRA PIVOTAL IMS-III MR. RESCUE Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) at 90 days). These trials were summarized in a meta-analysis performed by the HERMES in...