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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Treatment of the unknown patient: insights from acute stroke
Simon M Bell1,2, Dilraj Sokhi3, Tom Hughes4
1Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
When an unidentified patient who cannot communicate presents with symptoms and signs suggesting an acute stroke, the decision to thrombolyse is a particular challenge. In a time-pressured environment, clinicians need clear thought processes for diagnosis and treatment. Ethical considerations, diagnosis, identity and previous history, contraindications, time of symptom onset (EDICT) can help decision-making in this situation.
When an unidentified patient who cannot communicate presents with symptoms and signs suggesting an acute stroke, the decision to thrombolyse is a particular challenge. In a time-pressured environment, clinicians need clear thought processes for diagnosis and treatment. Ethical considerations, diagnosis, identity and previous history, contraindications, time of symptom onset (EDICT) can help decision-making in this situation.

