Emergency brain resuscitation.

Abstract

With the discovery of new and effective acute stroke therapies, health care professionals now have the means to reverse the effects of an acute stroke. These advances must be aggressively applied to the acute stroke population using the EBR concept. It is clear from all of the issues and studies reviewed in this article that an organized approach and team concept are necessary for the efficient and effective care of acute stroke patients. Health care professionals currently treat acute myocardial infarction and trauma patients with a similar organization and sense of urgency. This paradigm should be translated and modified for the acute stroke population. Improved public and professional education are a vital part of this effort, and will have to be ongoing for its success. The approval of TPA as the first acute stroke therapy provides an opportunity to reverse the effects of a stroke. However, patients must present and be treated soon after stroke onset for this therapy to be safe and effective.