“1 in 6 people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime”.
“In Catalonia, stroke is the first cause of death in women and the third in men, the first cause of disability and the second cause of dementia”.
“Time is brain”.
Joan Martí Fàbregas
The Research Group on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Research Institute of the Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo, is a multidisciplinary group formed basically by clinical neurologists, led by Joan Martí. In addition to the healthcare activity, they are especially interested in clinical research, but also translational.
In order to carry out their research, intramural relations are fostered with groups and units of the Hospital, such as other Units of the Neurology Service, the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Unit, the Biochemistry Service, the Nuclear Medicine Service, the Neuroradiology Unit, the Emergency Service, the Cardiology Service, the Vascular Surgery Service or the Cardiovascular ICCC Programme, among others. External relations are also encouraged, such as with the Invictus Plus Network (RETICS), which connects them with the best national clinical research and basic research groups on stroke, the ICFO as well as with various European and American institutions dedicated to clinical research.
| The Research Group on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Research Institute of the Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo, is a multidisciplinary group formed basically by clinical neurologists, led by Joan Martí. In addition to the healthcare activity, they are especially interested in clinical research, but also translational. In order to carry out their research, intramural relations are fostered with groups and units of the Hospital, such as other Units of the Neurology Service, the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Unit, the Biochemistry Service, the Nuclear Medicine Service, the Neuroradiology Unit, the Emergency Service, the Cardiology Service, the Vascular Surgery Service or the Cardiovascular ICCC Programme, among others. External relations are also encouraged, such as with the Invictus Plus Network (RETICS), which connects them with the best national clinical research groups and basic research on stroke, the ICFO as well as with various European and American institutions dedicated to clinical research. |
IR Sant Pau Brain Vascular Diseases Research Group Joan Martí, Doctor in Medicine and Surgery, specialist in Neurology |
Reperfusion treatments
In 1997, the Sant Pau Brain Vascular Diseases Unit was a pioneer in the country in the implantation of intravenous thrombolysis for patients with acute ischemic stroke. In 2015 the efficacy of endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy was demonstrated. This technique has been implemented 24/7 in our hospital from September 2016 with the participation of Neurology, Radiodiagnosis, Emergency and Anesthesia and Nursing. Our hospital is one of the 6 Catalan university centres
who can do this treatment.
In several multicenter studies, they have evaluated the frequency and risk of haemorrhagic complications after intravenous thrombolysis. Within the framework of the Sonia registry (Online Information System for Acute Stroke) they have participated in multicenter studies evaluating intravenous thrombolytic treatment and endovascular treatment. They have participated in recent clinical trials (úrico-ictus, REVASCAT, RACECAT, ENCHANTED).
Sudden death
They collaborate in the stratification of the neurological prognosis of patients with cardiac arrest and brain complications admitted to the Coronary Unit. Recently, studies have been designed for the research of plasma biomarkers and optical technology (collaboration with the ICFO).
Intracerebral hemorrhage
The Unit has been the promoter of the HERO multicenter study, funded by FIS, to investigate whether brain microsagnats detected in magnetic resonance increase the risk of bleeding from oral anticoagulants.
Recently, they have published papers on predictors of brain hematoma growth, on the prognostic role of islet involvement, on the contribution of transcranial duplex in the management of these patients and on etiological criteria.
In collaboration with the Neurosurgery Service, the Neuroradiology Unit and the Intensive Care Medicine Service, they participate in clinical trials (CLEARIII, MISTIEIII, SWITCH).
Vulnerability of the carotid atherosclerotic plaque
In collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine Service and within the framework of an FIS project, the group is evaluating inflammation in carotid plaques as a marker of early ischemic recurrence. In collaboration with the Biochemistry Service and in a project funded by La Marató de TV3, they are studying lipoprotein biomarkers as predictors of the risk of inflammation.
Cryptogenic stroke
Along these lines, they are collaborating with the Stroke Risk Analysis (SRA) system, with the aim of predicting which patients with ischemic stroke are affected by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. They are participating in several trials that try to clarify which is the best antithrombotic treatment (RESPECT-Esus, Navigate-Esus).
Application of optical technologies
In collaboration with ICFO, the group is studying the development of optical technologies that can be useful for the daily management of stroke patients, monitoring brain flow and oxygen. Currently, in a project funded by La Marató de TV3, they are evaluating this technology in early mobilization and rehabilitation after stroke.
Last update: 18 de September de 2018
