Background: Patients with acute stroke have improved outcomes when managed in a stroke unit providing multidisciplinary care, including early rehabilitation.
Objective: This article provides an overview of early hospital management and rehabilitation for stroke patients.
Discussion: Stroke and transient ischaemic attack are medical emergencies. Both have time dependent therapy and the risk of a recurrent event is highest in the hours to days after the initial event. Important aspects of early hospital management include: rapid confirmation of the stroke diagnosis with computerised tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, urgent investigations for the cause of stroke, acute therapy, early institution of specific secondary prevention strategies, comprehensive risk factor management including antihypertensive therapy, early rehabilitation, and discharge planning. Investigation and management needs to be tailored to the individual patient, taking into account presentation and comorbidities.