FERNE On-Line CME Program

Emergency Department Ischemic Stroke Patient Care:
Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Learning Objectives

• Establish the key concepts that guide the decision making in the diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients.



• Evaluate stroke care systems, the role of tertiary and stroke centers, prehospital triage, and ED patient transfer in the management of acute ischemic stroke patients.



• Consider how CT, CTA, MRI, MRA, and perfusion studies can be used by emergency physicians in order to optimize IV tPA use, IR referral, and ED transfer to stroke specialty centers.



• Explore the role of interventional radiology diagnostic modalities, IA thrombolysis, and mechanical clot removal options in the treatment of ED acute ischemic stroke patients.

Emergency Department Ischemic Stroke Patient Care:
Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics

The optimal diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke patients in the pre-hospital setting and in the ED requires an understanding of systems for stroke care, the way in which stroke severity can be best defined and communicated, when advanced diagnostic tests such as CTA, MRA and perfusion studies are indicated, how therapies such as IV and IA tPA thrombolysis and mechanical clot removal can be optimally utilized, and when triage and transfer to specialized stroke centers should rationally occur.

This session will provide an overview to the emergency physician of the current systems for stroke care, the way in which stroke patients should be clinically evaluated, and what are optimal treatment options based on the latest research, published guidelines, and available diagnostic and treatment modalities.

FERNE Meeting Introduction
Edward P. Sloan, MD, MPH, FACEP

Time is Brain: Or Is It ?
E. Bradshaw Bunney, MD, FACEP

Stroke Systems of Care:
What Systems Exists Nationally That Optimize the Care of Stroke Patients?
E. Bradshaw Bunney, MD, FACEP

How Can We Use CTA (MRA, MRA?) in the ED to Detect the Stroke Lesion, Determine the Size of the Infarct and Ischemic Penumbra, and the Indications for IV tPA and Other Therapies?
Andrew Asimos, MD, FACEP

What Happens in the Interventional Radiology Suite for ED Stroke Patients Who Go for Advanced Care?
David A. Miller, MD, FACR

This symposium is presented by FERNE. The extensive use of all materials, images, and lectures is encouraged in order to educate others regarding the optimal care of patients with acute ischemic stroke and other neurological emergencies treated in the acute setting. For a copy of these materials, please go to www.ferne.org.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Illinois College of Medicine and FERNE. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine designates this education activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s) ^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.