Özlem AYKAÇ, Nihat ŞENGEZE
Turkish Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases - 2026;32(1):59-62
Recent advances in acute ischemic stroke management have led to significant updates in clinical practice guidelines. The 2026 AHA/ASA guideline introduces important changes in prehospital organization, reperfusion strategies, and early in-hospital management. System-level improvements, including mobile stroke units and regional stroke networks, are emphasized to reduce treatment delays and optimize patient outcomes. In reperfusion therapy, updated recommendations expand the use of intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, with greater reliance on imaging-based patient selection, particularly in extended time windows. The guideline also highlights the importance of rapid decision-making, streamlined workflows, and avoidance of unnecessary delays in treatment initiation. These updates reflect a shift toward individualized, time-sensitive, and system-oriented stroke care. This review summarizes the key changes and discusses their implications for daily clinical practice.
