From the Guidelines
A Selmek stroke is not a recognized medical term or condition in neurology or stroke medicine, and thus, it is essential to focus on the standard classification and treatment of strokes. Strokes are typically classified as either ischemic (caused by a blockage in blood vessels supplying the brain) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding in or around the brain) 1. Common stroke types include thrombotic, embolic, lacunar, and hemorrhagic strokes, but there is no established classification called "Selmek stroke." If you're experiencing stroke symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, dizziness, or severe headache, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately by calling 911 or your local emergency number.
The management of acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion is a critical aspect of stroke care, and it involves the use of intravenous alteplase and endovascular therapy (mechanical clot removal) 1. The standard evaluation for stroke includes brain imaging (CT or MRI), blood tests, and assessment of cardiovascular function to determine the appropriate treatment approach. It is crucial to differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, which determines further management, and to identify the location of the vessel occlusion to guide treatment decisions.
Some key points to consider in the management of acute ischemic stroke include:
- The importance of rapid patient transfer, diagnosis, and treatment to improve outcomes
- The use of combined endovascular therapy approach using stent-retrievers and aspiration to achieve fast first-pass complete reperfusion
- The need to standardize and simplify imaging protocols, manage patients who do not meet current guideline recommendations for treatment, and optimize patient transfer
- The consideration of the risk/benefit ratio when treating the patient, taking into account the potential treatment risks and benefits.
Overall, the key to improving outcomes in stroke patients is to seek emergency medical attention immediately and to receive timely and appropriate treatment.
From the Research
Selmek Stroke Overview
- Selmek stroke is not a term found in the provided studies, however, the studies discuss various aspects of stroke, including acute ischemic stroke, mechanical thrombectomy, and intravenous thrombolysis.
- Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a major cause of long-term disability 2.
- The management of acute ischemic stroke in the first hours is critical to patient outcomes 2.
Causes and Clinical Features of Stroke
- Stroke is a clinically defined syndrome of acute, focal neurological deficit attributed to vascular injury (infarction, haemorrhage) of the central nervous system 3.
- Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, although its contribution differs for different subtypes 3.
- Most (85%) strokes are ischaemic, predominantly caused by small vessel arteriolosclerosis, cardioembolism and large artery athero-thromboembolism 3.
Treatment Options for Acute Ischemic Stroke
- Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is now the standard-of-care treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) of the anterior circulation and may be performed irrespective of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) eligibility prior to the procedure 4.
- Administering tPA prior to MT may improve the rates of recanalization compared to MT alone in tPA-eligible patients being treated for AIS, but a corresponding improvement in functional and safety outcomes was not present in this review 4.
- Direct E-MT provided comparable outcomes regarding functional independence and all-cause mortality compared to E-MT with tPA 5.