Stroke of Insight: Recognition, Work-Up, and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Acute ischemic stroke is the most prevalent neurologic emergency and a common cause of disability and death in the United States, as well as the rest of the world. As emergency department encounters for stroke are only expected to rise, frontline clinicians should be readily equipped to recognize and treat this disease process. A rapid, accurate history and examination may help screen for large-vessel occlusions, navigate among potential stroke mimics, and even detect subtle clinical chameleons. Awareness of the utility of advanced perfusion and MRI modalities allows clinicians to offer interventions even to those without a clear time of symptom onset.