Approximately 700,000 strokes occur annually in the United States. 1 Eighty percent of these strokes are ischemic in etiology. Acute ischemic stroke has devastating effects on the health of our society.
Stroke ranks only behind heart disease and cancer as a cause of death.
In addition, stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability in this country. These negative health effects of stroke have been the impetus to develop acute therapies that can salvage brain tissue soon after stroke onset. The clinical development, applications, and implications of this stroke therapy will be discussed. Acute Brain Ischemia Focal brain ischemia is a dynamic event. An ischemic core, in which no blood flow is present, comprises a small area distal to an arterial occlusion.