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Background: People with gliomas need specialized neurosurgical, neuro-oncological, psycho-oncological, and neuropsychological care. The role of language and cognitive recovery and rehabilitation in patients' well-being and resumption of work is crucial, but there are no clear guidelines for the ideal timing and character of assessments and interventions. The goal of the present work was to describe representative (neuro)psychological practices implemented after brain surgery in Europe. Methods: An online survey was addressed to professionals working with individuals after brain surgery. We inquired about the assessments and interventions and the involvement of caregivers. Additionally, we asked about recommendations for an ideal assessment and intervention plan. Results: Thirty-eight European centers completed the survey. Thirty of them offered at least one postsurgical (neuro)psychological assessment, mainly for language and cognition, especially during the early recovery stage and at long term. Twenty-eight of the participating centers offered postsurgical therapies. Patients who stand the highest chances of being included in evaluation and therapy postsurgically are those who underwent awake brain surgery, harbored a low-grade glioma, or showed poor recovery. Nearly half of the respondents offer support programs to caregivers, and all teams recommend them. Treatments differed between those offered to individuals with low-grade glioma vs those with high-grade glioma. The figure of caregiver is not yet fully recognized in the recovery phase. Conclusion: We stress the need for more complete rehabilitation plans, including the emotional and health-related aspects of recovery. In respondents' opinions, assessment and rehabilitation plans should also be individually tailored and goal-directed (eg, professional reinsertion).
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INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the systolic function of the left atrial appendage (LAA) in a group with and without patent foramen ovale (PFO) who suffered ischemic cerebrovascular events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2010 and October 2011, 17 patients were referred for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after suffering a stroke. PFO was defined as the passage of at least one bubble through atrial septum with bubble test. We compared systolic velocity in the appendage between patients with and without PFO and a control group. RESULTS: Were 8 women and 9 men, mean age 54.1 ± 19.5 years and 8 patients were under 55 years of age. All patients had suffered a ischemic cerebrovascular events, 41.2% had stroke, 52.9% transient ischemic attack and amaurosis fugax 5.9%. In the assessment of TEE, 11.8% had atrial septal aneurysm and 35.3% PFO. Mean LAA systolic velocity was 66.3 ± 20.3 cm / sec. There was no difference in systolic velocity of the LAA between patients with and without PFO (67.5 ± 11.8 cm / sec vs 65.7 ± 24.3 cm / sec respectively, p = 0.87). The control group of 8 patients, 5 women and 3 men, mean age 39.5 ± 18 years, had a LAA systolic velocity of 77.6 ± 28.9 cm / sec, no significant differences with ischemic patients. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in systolic function of the LAA between patients with and without PFO with ischemic cerebrovascular event.
Introducción: El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar la función sistólica de la orejuela de la aurícula izquierda (OAI) en un grupo de pacientes con y sin foramen oval permeable (FOP) quienes sufrieron eventos cerebrovasculares isquémicos. Material y métodos: Entre septiembre de 2010 y octubre de 2011, 17 pacientes fueron enviados para la realización de un ecocardiograma transesofágico (ETE) por haber sufrido un accidente cerebrovascular (ACV). Se definió FOP al pasaje de al menos una burbuja a través del septum interauricular con test de burbujas. Se comparó la velocidad sistólica en la orejuela entre los pacientes con y sin FOP y con un grupo control. Resultados: Fueron 8 mujeres y 9 hombres, con una edad media de 54,1 ± 19,5 años. Todos los pacientes habían sufrido un evento cerebrovascular isquémico, el 41,2% habían tenido ACV, el 52,9% crisis isquémica transitoria y el 5,9% amaurosis fugaz. En la evaluación con ETE, el 11,8% tuvo aneurisma del septum interauricular y el 35,3% FOP. La velocidad sistólica media de la OAI fue 66,3 ± 20,3 cm/seg. No hubo diferencia en la velocidad sistólica de la OAI entre pacientes con o sin FOP (67,5 ± 11,8 cm/seg vs 65,7 ± 24,3 cm/seg respectivamente, p= 0,87). El grupo control compuesto por 8 pacientes, 5 mujeres y 3 hombres, con una edad media de 39,5 ± 18 años, tuvo una velocidad sistólica de la OAI de 77,6 ± 28,9 cm/seg, sin diferencias significativas con los pacientes isquémicos. Conclusión: No hubo diferencias en la función sistólica de la OAI entre pacientes con y sin FOP con eventos cerebrovasculares isquemicos.
