Efforts to educate the public and medical personnel alike are helping to improve outcome by encouraging prompt attention and treatment to reduce complications and disability. A variety of treatment options are available. Medications are used in both the treatment of acute stroke and the prevention of subsequent strokes. Reperfusion therapy is aimed at improving blood flow to the ischemic region and thus limiting the size of the acute infarction. Direct intra-arterial infusion of antithrombolytic agents via a catheter delivers higher concentrations of drug directly to the clot however, this approach is considered experimental.
Surgical interventions are also available.
Rehabilitation is an important part of stroke treatment. It involves regaining optimal health and functional ability following a stroke. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 Thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.