Anesthetic management of patients with acute stroke

Anesthesiol Clin. 2012 Jun;30(2):175-90. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2012.04.002. Epub 2012 Jun 23.

Abstract

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability. Anesthesiologists are likely to encounter patients with stroke and must be aware of the anesthetic considerations for these patients. Intravenous thrombolysis and intra-arterial thrombolysis are effective treatments for acuteischemic stroke as well as evolving endovascular techniques such as mechanical clot retrieval. Recent retrospective studies have found an association between general anesthesia and poor clinical outcome. The results of these studies have several limitations, and current evidence is inadequate to guide the choice of anesthesia in patients with acute stroke. The choice of anesthesia must be based on individual patient factors until further research is completed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia / adverse effects
  • Anesthesia / methods*
  • Anesthesia, General / methods
  • Anesthesia, Local / methods
  • Anesthetics / therapeutic use
  • Brain Ischemia / complications
  • Brain Ischemia / therapy
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Hemodynamics / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Physical Examination
  • Stroke / diagnosis
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / physiopathology
  • Stroke / surgery
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy

Substances

  • Anesthetics
  • Neuroprotective Agents