Management of acute ischemic stroke

Med Clin (Barc). 2023 Dec 7;161(11):485-492. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.06.022. Epub 2023 Jul 31.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is a serious neurological condition that requires urgent attention. As a time-dependent disease, acute stroke management must be coordinated and effective to provide the best treatment as early as possible. The treatment of the acute phase of ischemic stroke includes general measures to ensure patient hemodynamic stability, the use of reperfusion therapies (intravenous thrombolytics and mechanical thrombectomy), improving cerebral protection by monitoring the homeostasis of certain variables as blood pressure, glycemia, temperature, or oxygenation, as well as preventing cerebral and systemic complications. Also, it is necessary an early planning of comprehensive rehabilitation. To prevent early recurrences, control of vascular risk factors and antithrombotic treatment is recommended. The management of patients with acute ischemic stroke aims to reverse initial symptoms, to prevent further brain damage, improve functional outcomes and avoid ischemic recurrences.

Keywords: Acute reperfusion therapy; Brain protection; Code stroke; Complicaciones fase aguda ictus; Complications of the acute phase of stroke; Código ictus; Ictus isquémico; Ischemic stroke; Protección cerebral; Stroke unit; Tratamiento reperfusor; Unidad de ictus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Ischemia* / complications
  • Brain Ischemia* / diagnosis
  • Brain Ischemia* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke* / etiology
  • Stroke* / etiology
  • Stroke* / prevention & control
  • Thrombectomy / adverse effects
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome