The management of stroke: fears and facts

The poor definition of stroke, the lack of exact knowledge of its aetiology and natural history, particularly in an individual case, and our limited insights into the effects of both medical and surgical treatment have up to now not broadened the fairly narrow rational basis for management of stroke patients. It is argued that, despite a vast literature on the subject, treatment is mainly conducted along emotional lines in practice. The only exception to this forms the secondary prevention of cardiogenic emboli.