The Changing Landscape for Hyper-Acute Ischaemic Stroke Care

Delivery of reperfusion therapies such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy have revolutionised the treatment for acute ischaemic stroke with reduction in disability and mortality. Extended time windows for thrombolysis for patients presenting beyond 4.5 hours including wake up stroke have now increased the eligibility for these treatments. Tenecteplase has emerged as alternative thrombolytic agent to alteplase, with practical advantages. Mechanical thrombectomy is now available to a wider group of patients than previously considered such as patients presenting beyond 6 hours up to 24 hours, those with large core anterior circulation infarcts and posterior circulation stroke. Advances in brain imaging and their application to determine salvageable brain tissue is crucial in delivery of these interventions. Systems of care to enhance the delivery of these time critical treatments such as pre-hospital video triage and mobile stroke units may play a vital role in maximising population benefits from high-quality hyper-acute stroke care. The purpose of this review is to highlight the expansion of evidence for acute therapeutic interventions for ischaemic stroke and technologies to facilitate their delivery.