Clinical pathway for stroke patients

Abstract:

Stroke is the major cause of disability in society today. It is the second or third most common cause of death in developed countries and the leading cause of death in Croatia in the previous two years. Stroke is a medical emergency whose management requires public education and urgent patient admission and treatment in stoke units. The diagnosis of stroke is based on a compatible history and neurological examination supported by brain imaging to exclude mimics. The available, effective time-critical therapy may improve stroke outcome. Therapy with tissue plasminogen activator has been proven effective in acute management of eligible patients; however, the outcome mostly depends on the stroke unit care irrespective of patient age, stroke type or stroke severity. 

Key words:
diagnosis; stroke; therapy; tissue plasminogen activator