Acute ischemic stroke: new strategies for management and prevention. Interview by Wayne Kuznar.

Emergency thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke now relies on the delivery of IV t-PA within 3 hours of stroke onset. Among the 20% of stroke patients who reach the hospital within that 3-hour window, few ultimately receive t-PA. The convergence of new imaging techniques and investigational intra-arterial therapy offers the potential to increase the number of successfully treated cases and improve functional outcomes. Stepped-up awareness campaigns can help reduce the time between stroke onset and hospitalization. Antiplatelet agents are showing promise for prevention of stroke. For patients at high risk, carotid endarterectomy and stenting may significantly reduce the likelihood of stroke occurrence.