Pre-clinical management of acute strokes

Cerebral infarction is the most common cause of disablement and dependancy on nursery among adults. Recently, it could be demonstrated that systemic t hrombolysis with rt-PA is able to improve prognosis. Furthermore, according to a consensus agreement, stabilization of impaired vital functions of pat ients with acute cerebral ischemia has a significant influence on outcome. Up to now preclinical management of stroke (delayed EMS response by ambulan ce, insufficient stabilization of vital functions) often did not fulfil tho se requirements. In order to establish an optimized preclinical therapy we initiated a regional model of preclinical stroke management. Optimizing the process quality with existing EMS systems in acute stroke management is a cost-effective option to reduce prehospital delay in case of acute stroke.