[Recent advances in pathophysiology and treatment of acute ischemic stroke]

The pathophysiology of ischemic neuronal cell damage has been studied extensively. Intracellular calcium ions, excitatory amino acids, nitric oxide, oxygen free radicals, proteolysis, apoptosis, and so on play important roles. There are also gene expressions following cerebral ischemia, such as the immediately early gene, heat shock protein, cytokines, adhesion molecule, and growth factor, etc. In vessels of the ischemic brain, activation of platelets, leukocytes, the coagulation cascade, and fibrin generation occur and aggravate the cerebral microcirculatory disturbance. Treatment of acute ischemic stroke must be based on the clinical type (atherothrombotic, lacunar or cardioembolic) and the time after onset. Fibrinolysis by tissue plasminogen activator (intravenous administration) is approved in the USA for patients with cerebral infarction within 3 hours after onset. Efficacy of anticoagulant therapy using heparin was not verified by the International Stroke Trial (IST). In Japan selective anti-thrombin agent (argatroban) is used in patients with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction within 48 hours after onset. Results of IST and Chinese Acute Stroke Trial (CAST) showed aspirin within 48 hours after onset of cerebral infarction reduced recurrence of ischemic stroke during the acute stage and death within 6 months.