News Release

Risk of stroke expected to decrease with new screening guidelines

Findings of multidisciplinary review could affect millions

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Minneapolis, Minn. - January 17, 2007 -- For the first time, a set of screening guidelines for the detection of carotid stenosis, the thickening of the blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain and a leading cause of stroke, has been developed by a multidisciplinary committee of internationally recognized neurologists and surgeons. These guidelines will help reduce the death and disability rates associated with stroke by identifying carotid stenosis in a timely manner, allowing treatment before a stroke occurs. These guidelines appear in the latest issue of Journal of Neuroimaging.

Approximately two million people living in North America and Europe are currently at risk for stroke and could dramatically benefit from a thorough and effective screening procedure. "The guidelines will help to reduce the incidence of stroke through early detection in up to one-fifth of the high risk patients who undergo screening procedures as outlined," says Dr. Adnan I. Qureshi, lead author of the guidelines.

Screening recommendations are provided for high risk persons in the general population; patients undergoing open heart surgery including coronary artery bypass surgery; patients with peripheral vascular diseases, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and renal artery stenosis; patients after radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies; patients following carotid endarterectomy, or carotid artery stent placement; patients with retinal ischemic syndromes; patients with syncope, dizziness, vertigo or tinnitus; and patients with family history of vascular diseases and hyperhomocysteinemia.

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This study is published in the latest issue ofJournal of Neuroimaging. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.

Dr. Adnan I. Qureshi is Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Radiology and Associate Head of Department of Neurology, at the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Research Center, University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is recognized as an international leader in stroke research and acute stroke management. He can be reached for questions at aiqureshi@hotmail.com.

Journal of Neuroimaging offers full coverage of all the relevant clinical neurological aspects of MRI, SPECT, Neurosonology, CT, PET, Transcranial Doppler, Carotid Ultrasound and other neuroimaging modalities and addresses the full spectrum of human nervous system disease. For more information, please visit www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/jon.

The American Society of Neuroimaging (ASN) is an international, professional organization representing neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and other neuroscientists who are dedicated to the advancement of any technique used to image the nervous system. For more information, please visit www.asnweb.org.

Blackwell Publishing is the world's leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic, and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. The company employs over 1,000 staff members in offices in the US, UK, Australia, China, Singapore, Denmark, Germany, and Japan. Blackwell's mission as an expert publisher is to create long-term partnerships with our clients that enhance learning, disseminate research, and improve the quality of professional practice. For more information on Blackwell Publishing, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com or www.blackwell-synergy.com.


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