Treatment of acute ischemic stroke: awareness among general practitioners.

For promptly referral of a patient with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for possible thrombolysis, general practitioners (GPs) need to equipped with the advanced knowledge of AIS treatment. We assessed the knowledge regarding treatment of AIS among GPs practicing in and around a quaternary care teaching hospital in south India. A total of 109 GPs who attend to medical emergencies were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Of the 109 GPs interviewed, 54% felt that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be used in the treating AIS, but only 24% had chosen tPA as the best treatment option and 22% opted for other agents like citicholine or edavarone. Only 17% were aware that tPA should be given within 3 h. and 35% felt that intra-arterial thrombolysis as a treatment option.. Only 30% felt the need for good sugar control and 37% wanted aggressive lowering of blood pressure. Majority of GPs are not clear about beneficial effects of thrombolysis and are not updated regarding BP and sugar control in the setting of AIS.