• James J Wang.
• Stroke Center, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.
• Discov Med. 2005 Jun 1; 5 (27): 319-23.

AbstractExtract: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, coming in just behind cancer and coronary artery disease. It is, however, the leading cause of long-term disability. Stroke includes two major categories -- ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (reduced blood supply and blood leakage, respectively), which both lead to a lack of adequate blood and oxygen supply to brain tissue, resulting in cell death. About 85% of strokes are ischemic. Ischemic strokes can also be divided into different categories based on their etiology and location. Acute ischemic stroke is an emergency, but a treatable condition especially since the TPA (tissue plasminogen activator, which is also a natural substance that helps dissolve blood clots in blood circulation) was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1995. Even though acute strokes are very common, there are still a lot of controversies about their acute management. Some of the major issues with regard to acute management of strokes are discussed here.

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