AHA/ASA Release New Stroke Guidelines
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA) have issued new guidelines for the early management of patients with acute arterial ischemic stroke.
The new guidelines, which were composed by a writing group appointed by the AHA Stroke Council’s Scientific Statements Oversight Committee, update those that were first published by the AHA and ASA in 2013.
__________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Surgical vs Medical Therapy Alone: Which Better Prevents Recurrent Stroke?
DOACs vs Warfarin: Which Is More Effective For Stroke Prevention?
__________________________________________________________________________________
The following updates are included in the new guidelines:
- In patients with large-vessel occlusion stroke, mechanical thrombectomy is now recommended for up to 24 hours after symptom onset.
- Alteplase can now be used in some patients with mild stroke.
The guidelines also address prehospital care, urgent and emergency evaluation and treatment with intravenous and intra-arterial therapies, and in-hospital management.
“These guidelines are based on the best evidence currently available,” the authors wrote. “In many instances, however, only limited data exist demonstrating the urgent need for continued research on treatment of acute ischemic stroke.”
—Christina Vogt
Reference:
Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Ackerson T, et al; American Heart Association Stroke Council. 2018 guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association [Published online January 24, 2018]. Stroke. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000158 Stroke. 2018;STR.0000000000000158.