Objective. To review literature pertaining to grit and resilience in health professions education. Findings. There is significant interest in grit and resilience throughout the health professions, but little has been published with regard to pharmacy. Although there are methodological issues with defining and measuring grit and resilience, several studies have shown relationships between the constructs and personal and academic well-being. Educational interventions aimed at increasing grit and resilience have produced mixed results. Developing protective factors appears to be the most common approach in helping students become more resilient. Summary. Literature pertaining to grit and resilience reveals that the terms are nuanced, complex, and difficult to measure and understand. Regardless, the general characteristics associated with grit and resilience are of interest to educators and warrant further study.

Elevated blood pressure is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke. While this may occur secondary to the body's own response to preserve cerebral blood flow, elevated blood pressure may also increase the risk of hemorrhagic transformation. Current guidelines recommend various blood pressure goals based upon multiple factors, including thresholds specific to certain treatment interventions. Despite these guidelines, there is limited evidence to support specific blood pressure targets, and variability in clinical practice is common. The purpose of this review was to discuss blood pressure management in adult patients with acute ischemic stroke, focusing on appropriate targets in the setting of alteplase administration, mechanical thrombectomy, and hemorrhagic transformation.

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Presentation Objective: Does glycemic variability worsen Modified Rankin Score (mRS) following ischemic stroke in patients treated with thrombolytics (tPA)? Background/Purpose: Acute hyperglycemia and strict glucose control have been identified as predictors of hemorrhage, increased length of stay and hypoglycemia following ischemic stroke. However, the role of glucose variability in patients with ischemic stroke treated with tPA is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of glycemic variability on discharge outcomes in patients treated with tPA for ischemic stroke. Methodology: A retrospective review of adults with ischemic stroke who received tPA was completed. Patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours with image-confirmed ischemic stroke and symptom onset within 4.5 hours of presentation were included. Glycemic variability was measured using the J-index calculation and groups were defined as patients with normal or abnormal J-indices. Logistic regression models were developed to determine odds ratios for defined outcomes including NIHSS score, mRS and disposition at discharge. Statistical significance was a p-value of <0.05. Results: Of the 229 patients included, 132 (58%) had a normal J-index (4.7 – 23.6). In the univariate analysis, abnormal J-index was associated with higher rates of hypertension (94% vs 73%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (74% vs 12%), chronic kidney disease (34% vs 11%), higher initial blood glucose values (220 ±172 vs 111 ±20) and HbA1c, and worse outcomes in terms of NIHSS score, mRS and disposition at discharge. In the multivariate analysis, patients with an abnormal J-index had higher odds of unfavorable outcomes in terms of discharge mRS (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.0 – 4.3, p=0.045) and hemorrhagic transformation (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.7 – 10.2, p=0.002). There was no difference in discharge disposition (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.7 – 3.0 p=0.4). Conclusion: Glycemic variability, following ischemic stroke, may result in unfavorable patient outcomes in patients treated with tPA. Additional studies are needed to determine the appropriate glucose management strategy.