Medical Crossfire: Optimizing Outcomes for Patients with Stroke: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction

Activity Overview
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Ischemic stroke, which is caused by obstruction in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, is the most common type of stroke, accounting for 87% of strokes globally. Most patients who experience an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) should be managed with risk-reduction strategies. Such strategies, known as secondary prevention, include lifestyle modifications, blood pressure reduction, statin therapy, antithrombotic therapy, and closures of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Studies demonstrate that at least four-fifths of recurrent vascular events in patients with cerebrovascular disease might be prevented by combining multiple approaches.
The Medical CrossfireTM, one of PER®’s signature educational formats, is a video-based program in which a panel of distinguished experts engage in spirited discussions and debates on a particular clinical topic. In this activity, 3 key thought leaders explore data regarding current and emerging secondary strategies to prevent stroke. This lively discussion will help place new developments into clinical context to help you optimize care for your patients at risk for recurrent ischemic stroke and TIA.
Target Audience
This educational activity is directed toward neurologists, critical care neurologists, emergency medicine clinicians, critical/intensive care specialists, cardiologists, internists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses involved in the management of patients at risk for recurrent stroke. Other health care providers involved in secondary stroke prevention are also invited to participate.

Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this activity, you should be better prepared to:
• Explain the current risk reduction strategies for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke
• Analyze efficacy and safety of clinical trial data of antiplatelet therapies for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke
• Assess efficacy and safety of clinical trial data of PFO device closures for secondary prevention of stroke in select patients
• Apply recent evidence of PFO device closures into the clinical context of evolving paradigms in the secondary prevention of stroke