Endovascular Stroke Therapy

• Published in: Neurotherapeutics Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 360 - 368
• Main Author: Smith, Wade S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.04.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain Ischemia - drug therapy; Brain Ischemia - therapy; Cardiovascular system; Clinical trials; Current Perspectives; Current s; Endovascular Procedures - methods; Fibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Humans; Ischemia; Neurobiology; Neuroimaging; Neurology; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; Patients; Stents; Stroke; Stroke - drug therapy; Stroke - therapy; Thrombolytic Therapy - methods; Tissue Plasminogen Activator - therapeutic use; ischemic penumbra; systems of care; Thrombectomy; large-vessel stroke; penumbral imaging
• ISSN: 1933-7213; 1878-7479; 1878-7479
• DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00724-5

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability throughout the world and is both preventable and treatable. This review focuses on the treatment of the most severe form of ischemic stroke, namely large-vessel ischemic stroke, using endovascular techniques. Such therapies were proven effective in 2015. These therapies are among the most beneficial surgical therapies ever subjected to randomized clinical trials. Recent research has explored treating patients up to 24 h following the onset of stroke using advanced imaging techniques to select patients with brain tissue still at risk. These new findings suggest there exists a tissue clock rather than a time clock when selecting patients for therapy. Stroke systems throughout the world are now embracing endovascular stroke therapy. Improving regional stroke systems of care and expanding eligibility for patients are a major focus of current research.