Brain tissue salvage in acute stroke.
Thrombolysis is the only effective medical therapy of ultra-acute (<3 hours) cerebral ischemia, and it is moving from academic centers to community-based standard therapy in experienced centers. Despite intensive experimental and clinical research, the salvage of brain cells through a host of neuroprotective strategies has not been demonstrated to be efficient. As the imaging and other patient selection methods continue to develop, it may be possible eventually to identify patients who still have viable penumbral brain tissue even after the 3-h window. This review focuses on the possibilities of salvaging acutely ischemic brain tissue and potential reasons for differences in the efficacies of the thrombolytic and neuroprotective therapies.
Lindsberg
Perttu J
PJ
Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki. perttu.lindsberg@hus.fi
D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D014022:Tissue Survival
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents