The study, published in the journal The Lancet Neurology and reported by MedicalXpress.com, is the first to demonstrate the urgency of extending imaging that includes the heart. This must be accomplished within minutes of arriving at the hospital.  This strategy can also be used to create treatments for the prevention of future strokes.

Obstruction of Blood Flow in the Brain

Eighty-five percent of all strokes are caused by blood clots that affect the flow of blood in the brain. In a clinical trial, scientists from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and LHSCRI set out to determine whether strokes with unknown causes could be identified by using computed tomography (CT) scans that include images of the aorta and the heart.

The team scientists led by Dr. Luciano Sposato, of LHSCRI following instructions laid out in the study were able to determine the underlying cause of the stroke by using the most effective and safest treatment. The doctor explained that if the blood clot originated in the heart, they use blood thinners in an effort to prevent future strokes.

The LHSC Hospital clinical trial involved 465 patients being treated for either a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain (transient ischemic attack often called TIA,) or for an acute stroke.

The team found that the use of the extended CT scan caused an increase of 600% as opposed to standard imaging.

Another advantage is that the CT scan did not cause a delay in completing the imaging in the emergency setting. Imaging found one clot for each 14 patients using the new approach.

An additional researcher at LHSCRI, Dr. Luciano Sposato stated that if these blood clots had not been found the strokes might have been classified as not having a specific cause.