Therapeutic Impact of MRI in Acute Stroke

Abstract

3.5 ConclusionsMRI is being increasingly used as a selection tool and an outcome measure in stroke trials, reflecting the growing evidence that direct pathophysiologic imaging may provide a more rational approach to acute stroke therapy than clinical diagnosis (and non-contrast CT scanning) alone. Stroke MRI is practical and feasible. Perfusion-diffusion mismatch provides a reliable estimation of the ischaemic penumbra. The future holds great promise. It is only a matter of time before MRI routinely assists the stroke clinician in making individual therapeutic decisions, and guides stroke researchers in identifying effective therapies that can be delivered well beyond the current 3-h window.