[Recent clinical studies and the S3 guidelines on stroke].

BACKGROUND

Treatment of patients with acute stroke requires hospitalization. Cooperation of neurologists, neuroradiologists, intensive care physicians, internists, and cardiologists is required to achieve best possible outcome.

OBJECTIVE

A summary of the current recommendations for stroke treatment is provided.

METHODS

This update is based on the S3 guidelines and incorporates additional results of the latest clinical studies; pubmed.gov was used as the database.

RESULTS

Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are essential to differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The S3 guideline recommends thrombolysis within 4.5 h after the onset of symptoms, while mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusions may be indicated up to 24 h after stroke onset in certain cases. Therapy should be initiated for an internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis of at least 50%.

CONCLUSION

Thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and the treatment of ICA stenosis are the three cornerstones of acute stroke treatment.