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Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke

  • Peripheral Vascular Disease (M Shishehbor, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Acute stroke affects about 800,000 patients annually in the US and is the leading cause of disability. It is a complex condition with multiple causes and requires comprehensive but rapid evaluation by stroke specialists working in institutions with well-organized stroke systems of care. Acute stroke treatment is focused on early revascularization with intravenous tPA for those with strokes under 3 hours duration or intra-arterial therapy for most others and those who cannot receive tPA. The latter is evolving rapidly with the advent of stent-retriever embolectomy devices that are poised to revolutionize stroke treatment. Recanalization is associated with neurological recovery in 33–50 % of patients. This also means that many patients may have devastating and life-threatening brain injury, which highlights the need for comprehensive care for the prevention and treatment of medical complications, management of cerebral edema and intracerebral hemorrhage.

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Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: A. Abou-Chebl: has been the Chair DSMB for Codman Inc.; and is on the speakers' bureaus for BMS/Sanofi.

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  1. Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 500 S. Preston Street, Rm 113, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

    Alex Abou-Chebl

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  1. Alex Abou-Chebl
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Correspondence to Alex Abou-Chebl.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Peripheral Vascular Disease

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Abou-Chebl, A. Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke. Curr Cardiol Rep 15, 348 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-013-0348-4

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