The bottom line
Early management of stroke involves first determining whether someone is a candidate for reperfusion therapy with alteplase or thrombectomy and then, if not, admitting them to a monitored setting to screen for atrial fibrillation and evaluation for carotid stenosis. Patients should be evaluated for both depression and swallowing function, and there should be initiation of deep vein thrombosis prevention, appropriate management of elevated blood pressures, anti-platelet therapy, and statin therapy as well as plans for rehabilitation services.
Reference
Powers WJ et al. on behalf of the 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. Stroke. 2018 Mar;49(3):e46-e110.
Dr. Skolnik is a professor of family and community medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and an associate director of the family medicine residency program at Abington (Pa.) Jefferson Health. Dr. Callahan is an attending physician and preceptor in the family medicine residency program at Abington Jefferson Health.