Neuroendovascular rescue - Nonthrombolytic approach to acute brain ischemia

Stroke continues to be a major health problem for our society. Despite the availability of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), only a minority of pati ents qualify for this type of therapy. Furthermore, for patients with occlu sion of large cerebral arteries, tPA does not seem to be as effective. Cons idering the benefits and risks for appropriate treatment of this population , they are the best candidates for neuroendovascular rescue by means of: di rect mechanical disruption, angioplasty, stenting, embolectomy, and pharmac ologic intervention. The timing and choice of these procedures, and the car e of the patient prior to, during, and after the intervention require a hig hly focused and expert approach.