[Prevention of stroke].
In the past years, research on cardiovascular prevention was among the fields with the most pronounced medical progress. Actually, a substantial proportion of strokes could be avoided given a strict consideration of the currently available prevention guidelines. The current review summarizes the most compelling studies and meta-analyses on this issue and depicts the main consequences and resulting recommendations. Apart from classic risk factors there is a special focus on new risk concepts including toxic effects of homocystine, the 'iron hypothesis' and the intriguing issues of inflammation and chronic infection. In addition, there will be a dispute on challenges regarding carotid surgery and optimal drug therapy as well as on dietary guidelines.
Kiechl
Stefan
S
Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Osterreich. stefan.kiechl@uibk.ac.at
Traindl
Otto
O
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*