Acute ischemic stroke management

The use of thrombolytic therapy represents one of many recent developments in the management of acute ischemic stroke. The development of stroke teams and protocols has been driven by these new demands for an urgent response to ischemic stroke. The short time window of 3 hours for therapy with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator requires efficient evaluation and treatment of stroke patients and also necessitates a rigorous approach to blood pressure management, electrolytes, fluids, and temperature. Anticoagulation has not been proven to safely prevent progression or early recurrence of stroke, but antiplatelet therapy is worthwhile.