Percutaneous management of acute ischaemic stroke

Learning objectives To understand both the rationale and principles behind percutaneous management of stroke. To be aware of the evidence base for this treatment. To appreciate the current logistical challenges and how they might be overcome. Introduction In principle, the similarity between opening an occluded cerebral artery and an occluded coronary artery, when the perfusion to that organ is acutely compromised, is inescapable: to re-establish antegrade flow as quickly as possible to minimise downstream damage. There are, of course, important differences between an acute myocardial infarction (MI) and an acute ischaemic stroke in terms of pathophysiology, diagnosis, procedural technique and ongoing care. However, the similarities are important: the need for a sophisticated emergency network that facilitates rapid diagnosis, transportation to an appropriate facility, a team of highly trained staff capable of delivering the procedure to restore vessel flow, and appropriate in-patient and...
Source: Heart - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Education in Heart Source Type: research