[Management of migraine by hospital emergency departments: a retrospective observational study carried out at the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio]. / Manejo de la migraña en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios: estudio observacional retrospectivo realizado en el Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine is the second most common type of primary headache disorder in Europe, accounting for 2.8% of visits to emergency departments. Some studies have shown that emergency departments may approach the disorder in ways that may be insufficient or inadequate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted of patients with migraine who were discharged from the adult emergency department of the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio in 2020. Variables related to their healthcare were analysed. RESULTS: 73.9% were women, with a mean age of 38 years. They were not asked about the frequency of their migraines. The mean length of time patients spent in the emergency department before receiving initial medical care was 45 minutes (standard deviation: 41). Computed tomography scans were requested for 27.4% of the patients, and these were not pathological. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most commonly used treatment for the symptoms. Opioids were also used. Preventive treatments were prescribed in 6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Management of migraines by emergency departments is limited, and as such continuous and updated training is important. The use of triptans and occipital nerve blocks should be encouraged, and the use of opioids, among other drugs, should cease.

TITLE: Manejo de la migraña en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios: estudio observacional retrospectivo realizado en el Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío.Introducción. La migraña es el segundo tipo de cefalea primaria más frecuente en Europa y supone el 2,8% de las visitas a los servicios de urgencias. Algunos estudios muestran que su abordaje en urgencias puede ser insuficiente o inadecuado. Materiales y métodos. Se realiza un estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes con migraña a los que se les dio de alta en 2020 del servicio de urgencias de adultos del Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío. Se analizan las variables relacionadas con su atención sanitaria. Resultados. El 73,9% fueron mujeres, con una edad media de 38 años. En ningún caso se preguntó por la frecuencia de las crisis. El tiempo medio de estancia hasta la primera asistencia médica fue de 45 minutos (desviación estándar: 41). Se solicitaron tomografías computarizadas para el 27,4% de los pacientes, que no fueron patológicas. El tratamiento sintomático más usado fueron los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos. También se usaron opioides. Se prescribieron preventivos en el 6% de los casos. Conclusiones. El manejo de las migrañas en los servicios de urgencias es subóptimo, por lo que es importante una formación continuada y actualizada. Debe potenciarse el uso de los triptanes y el bloqueo del nervio occipital, y abandonarse el uso de los opioides, entre otros.

Analysis of headache management in Andalusia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Headache is a frequent reason for consultation between primary care physicians, emergency services physicians, and neurology specialists; however, it is not always well managed. The Andalusian Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group (SANCE) aimed to analyse headache management at different levels of care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with data gathered through a retrospective survey in July 2019. Participants completed a series of structured questionnaires on different social and work-related variables from 4 different groups of healthcare professionals (primary care [PC], emergency departments, neurology departments, headache units). RESULTS: A total of 204 healthcare professionals completed the survey: 35 emergency department physicians, 113 PC physicians, 37 general neurologists, and 19 neurologists specialising in headache. Eighty-five percent of PC physicians reported prescribing preventive drugs, which were maintained for at least 6 months (59%), with flunarizine and amitriptyline being the most commonly used. Most patients attended at neurology consultations (65%) are referred by PC physicians, with changes in the headache pattern being the main reason for referral (74%). Healthcare professionals across all levels of care showed great interest in headache and in receiving training in headache management (97% of PC physicians, 100% of emergency services physicians, 100% of general neurologists). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine sparks great interest among healthcare professionals from different levels of care. Our results also reveal a lack of resources for headache management, which is reflected in the long waiting times. Other means of bilateral communication between different levels of care should be explored (eg, e-mail).

Antithrombotic Treatment after Carotid Stenting in Patients with Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Antithrombotic therapy following carotid artery stent placement with concomitant atrial fibrillation is not well-established. Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination of direct oral anticoagulants and a P2Y12 inhibitor at 30 days after carotid artery stent placement in patients with atrial fibrillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed an observational single-center study including patients who underwent carotid artery stent placement with concomitant atrial fibrillation. We studied 3 groups according to antithrombotic therapy: 1) the direct oral anticoagulants plus clopidogrel (DC) group: receiving direct oral anticoagulants plus a P2Y12 inhibitor; 2) the triple therapy group: anticoagulation and dual antiplatelet therapy; and 3) the dual antiplatelet therapy group: following dual antiplatelet therapy alone. The safety outcome was a major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding event at the first month. The efficacy outcomes were the thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction, stroke, systemic embolism, or stent thrombosis). RESULTS: Of 959 patients with carotid artery stent placement, 91 met the inclusion criteria, including 24 patients in the DC group, 42 patients in the triple therapy group, and 25 in the dual antiplatelet therapy group. The mean age was 72.27 (SD, 8.1 ) years, with similar baseline characteristics. The median CHA2DS2-VASc score for each group was 6 (interquartile range = 5-6), 5 (interquartile range = 4-6), and 5 (interquartile range = 4-6), respectively. The median HAS-BLED score was 4 in the 3 groups (P = .17). The primary safety end point was 23.8% in the triple therapy group compared with 4% in the dual antiplatelet therapy group (P = .032), with no bleeding events in the DC group (P = .007). There was 1 stent thrombosis in DC group and a cardioembolic stroke in the dual antiplatelet therapy group (P = .41). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with carotid artery stent placement with atrial fibrillation, triple therapy confers a high bleeding risk. A regimen of direct oral anticoagulants plus a P2Y12 inhibitor might confer a good safety profile with significantly lower rates of bleeding and optimal efficacy.