Acute stroke.
The treatment of patients with acute stroke is reviewed. Evidence of the existence of an ischemic penumbra in humans is presented. Different approaches to treatment of acute stroke include restoring blood flow by thrombolysis, neuroprotection, and early secondary prevention with aspirin. The evidence for each of these approaches is reviewed. Organization of stroke services, and particularly the use of stroke units, have been shown to significantly improve stroke outcome and these data are presented.
Markus
Hugh
H
Clinical Neuroscience, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. h.markus@sghms.ac.uk
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D013300:Streptokinase; D001241:Aspirin