Advancements in the management of acute ischemic stroke: A narrative review

Primary literature detailing updated management principles of acute ischemic stroke outpaces current guidelines, resulting in heterogenous practices. Recent advancements in neuroimaging have shifted treatment from a time-based approach to an individualized, image-guided appraisal directed by the presence or absence of salvageable brain tissue. In addition, tenecteplase appears to be a safe and effective for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and is becoming an attractive agent due to its practical administration. Several factors must be accounted for when implementing tenecteplase into the health-system including cost, education, and changes in clinician workflows. Larger studies with broad patient populations are needed to more definitively evaluate whether intravenous thrombolytics should be used in combination with endovascular thrombectomy in patients with anterior large-vessel occlusions. Although debate regarding the safety and efficacy of various endovascular therapies, delays encountered in the identification, triage, and care of acute ischemic stroke patients increase the likelihood of necrotic core lesion development and loss of salvageable penumbra.