Current endovascular treatment of acute stroke and future aspects

Acute ischemic stroke remains a condition of high morbidity and mortality. Until now, the only established therapy has been intravenous (IV) tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Only 3–10% of patients with acute ischemic stroke receive this treatment.On the basis of data from part 3 of the European Collaborative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS III), the time window for beneficial treatment of ischemic stroke with IV tPA has been extended from 3 to 4.5 h after the onset of stroke symptoms. Beyond that window of opportunity, and additionally to IV treatment, interventional stroke therapy has assumed an important role for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.Currently, new promising pharmacological and mechanical treatment options are being established as routine procedures to achieve a further improved outcome for stroke patients.