Stroke: Management and rehabilitation - Part III of III

The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge regarding stroke . It appears in three parts tin part I the epidemiology, clinical picture, and risk factors were discussed, while part II dealt with the pathogenesis, investigations, and prognosis). In this part (III) the management is prese nted. In an acute stroke the role of the following is discussed in detail: Thrombolysis, anticoagulant agents, and prophylactic neuroprotection with p harmacologic agents. For the prevention of stroke apart from the risk facto rs, which were presented in part I, the current knowledge with pharmacologi c agents is discussed. Also the role of carotid endarterectomy, extracrania l-intracranial bypass surgery, carotid artery angioplasty and stenting, and the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage are described. Finally the means and possibilities of rehabilitation are discussed.