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Using the Suspected Stroke Algorithm for Managing Acute Ischemic Stroke

Before proceeding, it is a good idea to view our terms.

If you would like to go to the main algorithms page, click here.

The ACLS Suspected Stroke Algorithm emphasizes critical actions for out-of-hospital and in-hospital care and treatment.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Critical Time Goals

Included in the algorithm are critical time goals set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) for in-hospital assessment and management. These time goals are based on findings from large studies of stroke victims:

Immediate general assessment by a stoke team, emergency physician, or other expert within 10 minutes of arrival, including the order for an urgent CT scan
Neurologic assessment by stroke team and CT scan performed within 25 minutes of arrival
Interpretation of CT scan within 45 minutes of ED arrival
Initiation of fibrinolytic therapy, if appropriate, within 1 hour of hospital arrival and 3 hours from onset of symptoms
Door-to-admission time of 3 hours

Algorithm Steps

Step 1: Identify signs of a possible stroke.

Step 2: Call 911 immediately (activate EMS system).

This is an important step because EMS responders can transport the patient to a hospital that provides acute stroke care and notify the hospital that the patient is coming. The hospital staff can then prepare for efficient evaluation and management of the patient. Currently, half of all stroke victims are driven to the ED by family members or friends.

EMS Assessments and Actions

Step 3: Complete the following assessments and actions:

Assessments	Actions
Define and recognize the signs of stroke.	Support the ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation).
Assess the patient using the CPSS or the LAPSS.	Give oxygen as needed.
Establish time zero.	Time Zero: set the time when the patient was last known to be neurologically normal. If the patient was sleeping and wakes up with symptoms, time zero is the last time the patient was seen to be normal.
Consider triage at a stroke center, if possible.	Transport the patient quickly.
Assess neurologic status while the patient is being transported.	Bring a family member or witness to confirm time zero.
	Alert the receiving hospital.
	Check glucose levels.

General Assessment in the ED

NINDS time goal: 10 min

Step 4. Within 10 minutes of the patient's arrival in the ED, take the following actions:

Actions

Assess ABCs and evaluate vital signs.

Give oxygen if patient is hypoxemic (less than 92% saturation). Consider oxygen is patient is not hypoxemic.

Make sure that an IV has been established.

Take blood samples for blood count, coagulation studies, and blood glucose. Check the patient's blood glucose and treat if indicated. Give dextrose if the patient is hypoglycemic. Give insulin if the patient's serum glucose is more than 300. Give thiamine if the patient is an alcoholic or malnourished.

Assess the patient using a neurologic screening assessment, such as the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Order a CT brain scan and have it read quickly by a qualified specialist.

Obtain a 12-lead ECG and assess for arrhythmias.

Do not delay the CT scan to obtain the ECG. The ECG is taken to identify a recent or ongoing acute MI or arrhythmia (such as atrial fibrillation) as a cause of embolic stroke. Life-threatening arrhythmias can happen with or follow a stroke.

Immediate Neurologic Assessment by Stroke Team

NINDS time goal: 25 min

Step 5. Within 25 minutes of the patient's arrival, take the following actions:

Actions

Review the patient's history, including past medical history.

Perform a physical exam.

Establish time zero, if not already done.

Perform a neurological exam to assess patient's status using the NIHSS or the Canadian Neurological Scale.

The CT scan should be completed within 25 minutes from the patient's arrival in the ED and should be read within 45 minutes.

Treatment Decisions by Specialist

NINDS time goal: 45 min

Step 6. Within 45 minutes of the patient's arrival, the specialist must decide, based on the CT scan or MRI, if a hemorrhage is present.

Take these actions if a hemorrhage is present	Take these actions if a hemorrhage is NOT present
Note that the patient is not a candidate for fibrinolytics.	Decide if the patient is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy.
Arrange for a consultation with a neurologist or neurosurgeon.	Review criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy by using the fibrinolytic checklist (see Figure 1).
Consider transfer, if available.	Repeat the neurologic exam (NIHSS or Canadian Neurological Scale).

If the patient is rapidly improving and moving to normal, fibrinolytics may not be necessary.

Treatment

NINDS time goal: 60 min

If the patient is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy, review the risks and benefits of therapy with the patient and family (the main complication of IV tPA is intracranial hemorrhage) and give tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).

Do not give anticoagulants or antiplatelet treatment for 24 hours after tPA until a follow-up CT scan at 24 hrs does not show intracranial hemorrhage.

If the patient is NOT a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy, give the patient aspirin.

For both groups (those treated with tPA and those given aspirin), give the following basic stroke care:

Begin stroke pathway.

Support patient's airway, breathing, and circulation.

Check blood glucose.

Watch for complications of stroke and fibrinolytic therapy.

Transfer patient to intensive care if indicated.

Patients with acute ischemic stroke who are hypoglycemic tend to have worse clinical outcomes, but there is no direct evidence that active glucose control improves outcomes. Consider giving IV or subcutaneous insulin to patients whose serum glucose levels are greater than 10 mmol/L (about 200 mg/dL).

Fibrinolytic Checklist

Use the fibrinolytic checklist to screen candidates for fibrinolytic therapy.

Figure 1. Fibrinolytic Checklist

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria
Age: 18 yrs or older	Evidence of intracranial hemorrhage from CT scan	Active internal bleeding or acute trauma, such as a fracture
Diagnosis of an ischemic stroke with neurologic deficit	Clinical presentation suggestive of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, even with normal CT	Acute bleeding diathesis, including the following but may include other manifestations: Platelet count < 100,000/mm3 Heparin received within 48 hours prior to onset of stroke, with elevated activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) Current use of anticoagulant (e.g., warfarin) with an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.7
Time from onset of symptoms is within 3 hours	Evidence of multilobar infarction in more than one-third of the cerebral hemisphere on CT	Intraspinal surgery, serious head trauma, or previous stroke within the past 3 months
	History of intracranial hemorrhage	Arterial puncture at a noncompressible site within the past 7 days
	Uncontrolled hypertension based on repeated measurements of > 185 mm Hg systolic pressure or > 110 mm Hg diastolic pressure
	Known AV malformation, neoplasm, or aneurysm
	Witnessed seizure at stroke onset

Relative Contraindications/Precautions

Minor or rapidly improving stroke symptoms

Major surgery or serious trauma within the past 14 days

Recent gastrointestinal or urinary tract hemorrhage within the past 3 weeks

Post-myocardial infarction pericarditis

Recent acute myocardial infarction within the past 3 months

Abnormal blood sugar level < 50 mg/dl or > 400 mg/dl

Complications. The major complication of IV tPA is intracranial hemorrhage. Other bleeding complications, ranging from minor to severe, may also happen. Angioderma and transient hypotension also can occur.

Research. Several studies have shown that good to excellent outcomes are more likely when tPA is given to adults with acute ischemic stroke within 3 hrs of onset of symptoms. However, these results happened when tPA was given in hospitals with a stroke protocol that adheres closely to the therapeutic regimen and eligibility requirements of the NINDS protocol. Evidence from prospective randomized studies in adults documented a greater likelihood of benefit the earlier treatment begins.

Managing Hypertension in tPA Candidates

For patients who are candidates for fibrinolytic therapy, you need to control their blood pressure to lower their risk of intracerebral hemorrhage following administration of tPA. See the general guidelines in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Management guidelines for elevated blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Candidates NOT eligible for fibrinolytic therapy

Blood pressure level, mm Hg	Treatment
Systolic ≤220 or diastolic ≤120	Observe patient unless there is other end-organ involvement. Treat the patient's other symptoms of stroke (headache, pain, nausea, etc). Treat other acute complications of stroke, including hypoxia, increased intracranial pressure, seizures, or hypoglycemia.
Systolic > 220 or diastolic 121 to 140	Labetalol 10 to 20 mg IV for 1–2 min—may repeat or double every 10 min to a maximum dose of 300 mg OR Nicardipine 5 mg/hr IV infusion as initial dose; titrate to desired effect by increasing 2.5 mg/hr every 5 min to max of 15 mg/hr Aim for a 10% to 15% reduction in blood pressure
Diastolic > 140	Nitroprusside 0.5 µg/kg per min IV infusion as initial dose with continuous blood pressure monitoring
	Aim for a 10% to 15% reduction in blood pressure

Candidates eligible for fibrinolytic therapy

PRETREATMENT
Systolic > 185 or diastolic > 110	Labetalol 10 to 20 mg IV for 1–2 min—may repeat 1 time or nitropaste 1–2 inches
During or after TREATMENT	Check blood pressure every 15 min for 2 hrs, then every 30 min for 6 hrs, and finally every hr for 16 hrs
Monitor blood pressure	Check blood pressure every 15 min for 2 hrs, then every 30 min for 6 hrs, and finally every hr for 16 hrs
Diastolic > 140	Sodium nitroprusside 0.5 µg/kg per minute IV infusion as initial dose and titrate to desired blood pressure
Systolic > 230 or diastolic 121 to 140	Labetalol 10 mg IV for 1–2 min—may repeat or double every 10 min to maximum dose of 300 mg or give initial labetalol dose and then start labetalol drip at 2 to 8 mg/min OR Nicardipine 5 mg/hr IV infusion as initial dose and titrate to desired effect by increasing 2.5 mg/hr every 5 min to maximum of 15 mg/hr; if blood pressure is not controlled by nicardipine, consider sodium nitroprusside
Systolic 180 to 230 or diastolic 105 to 120	Labetalol 10 mg IV for 1–2 min—may repeat or double every 10 to 20 min to a maximum dose of 300 mg or give initial labetalol dose, then start labetalol drip at 2 to 8 mg/min