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Despite recent advances in acute stroke care, the risk of recurrent stroke remains high. On behalf of the Belgian Stroke Council (BSC), a nurse-led self-management program was developed, using a personal coach and digital platform with the aim of improving cardiovascular risk factor control in patients after ischemic stroke. The program was implemented in four Belgian hospitals. The stroke coach provided one educational session during hospitalization. After discharge, the patient received tips and tricks concerning a healthy lifestyle through the customized platform. The stroke coach set up video appointments through the platform at regular intervals. Primary endpoint of our study was the change in SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation: High and Low cardiovascular Risk Charts) risk at baseline and 6 months compared with a historical control group who received standard care. A total of 147 patients were included for a follow-up period of 6 months. The mean SCORE in the intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction of 3.2 (p< 0.001) at 6 months. However, comparison between control and intervention groups was non-significant (p= 0.55). Secondary endpoints are promising with a medication adherence of 96%. Reported quality of life also improved (p< 0.001). No significant improvement in the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was observed (p= 0.720). Five percent of patients suffered a recurrent stroke. Our project consisting of a coached lifestyle intervention and digital platform shows promise in improving stroke recurrence rates, therapeutic adherence and quality of life in a Belgian healthcare setting.

A patient presented with a deficit of adduction and depression in the left eye and a deficit of elevation in the right eye as signs of a midbrain infarction; this pattern is explained by a lesion of the left oculomotor nuclear complex.