[Therapeutic possibilities in acute cerebral ischemia]

Therapy for acute ischemic stroke includes general care of the stroke patient including respiratory and cardiac care, as well as fluid and electrolyte management, blood pressure control and metabolic monitoring. More specific treatment is directed to recanalization of the occluded brain vessel. In this article special emphasis is laid on the indications and use of thrombolytic therapy. Furthermore current concepts in the intensive care of patients with severe brain edema are discussed.