Abstract:The majority of people who suffer a stroke are older adults. The last two decades have brought major progress in the diagnosis and management of stroke, which has led to significant reductions in mortality, long-term disability, and the need for institutional care. However, acute, interventional and preventative treatments have mostly been trialled in younger age groups. In this article we will provide an overview of the evidence for acute stroke treatments in relation to age, discuss special considerations in the older person, and contemplate patient choice, quality of life, and end-of-life-decisions.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy was approved by NICE as a treatment for stroke in 2016. However, most of the evidence is from studies conducted during working hours. Only few centres in the UK perform thrombectomies out-of-hours. The Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH) has offered thrombectomies over 24 h (24/7) since 2010. The aim of this service review is to compare the outcomes for patients treated in regular working hours to those treated outside normal working hours within this unit. Methods: This retrospective service analysis includes all patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy at RSUH since the start of the service in January 2010 to June 2019. Data on key demographics, timings, procedural complications, and long-term outcomes including death and disability at 90 days were collected. In-hours was defined as the time between 8:00-17:00 h, Monday to Friday; out-of-hours was defined as any time outside this period. Results: In total, 516 mechanical thrombectomies were performed in this time period; data were available on 501 of these. Successful recanalization (TICI 2b/3) was achieved in 86% of patients. By 90 days 96 (19%) had died and 234 (47%) were functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2). 211 (42%) of the procedures were performed in-hours and 290 (58%) out-of-hours. Door-to-CT and door-to-groin times were significantly longer outof-hours than in-hours, but thrombectomy duration was significantly shorter. There were no significant differences in complications and short-and long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy was delivered safely and effectively 24/7 in this UK hospital, with no difference in clinical outcomes.

An investigation has been carried out at the Asthma Clinic, St. David's Hospital, Cardiff, into the efficacy of various inhalants commonly used in the treatment of asthma. This was prompted by the desire to have statistical information upon which to base advice to doctors and patients rather than to rely on the more prevalent but less scientific clinical impressions. The inhalants used and their costs are as follows: Hospital Price Retail Price per fl. oz. per fl. oz. s. d. s. d.

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Summary A 75 year old lady with a prosthetic aortic valve (St Jude mechanical AVR) presented to ophthalmology with a one month history of black spots in the vision of her left eye with a further episode in her right eye two weeks later, leading to a diagnosis of bilateral endogenous endopthalmitis and was admitted to hospital. There was no history of trauma and the chest and abdominal examination was normal. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (40) and C reactive protein (45.8) were elevated. She had several sets of blood cultures, which were positive for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a HACEK organism and was started on empirical Ceftriaxone. The transthoracic echocardiography was normal. However, the suspicion of Infective Endocarditis (IE) was high, therefore a transoesophageal echocardiography was performed and showed an aortic root abscess (Image 1). An urgent computerised aortogram was performed. Following a planned two week period of intravenous antibiotics the patient was taken to theatre to have a redo AV valve replacement and root repair. Following a prolonged period on intensive care and a six week course of pathogen directed antibiotic therapy she was then fit enough to be discharged. Conclusion We present the first case in the literature of a HACEK Prosthetic Valve endocarditis presenting with bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis. Abstract P1247 Figure. TOE image of Absess