The levels of evidence supporting the recommendations (I-IV) and grades of recommendations (A-D and clinical practice points [CPP]) are defined at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field.
The original guideline document also includes a consumer rating that identifies aspects of care considered to be critical from a patient perspective.
Ischaemic Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
Thrombolysis
Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute ischaemic stroke should only be undertaken in patients satisfying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. (Grade A; Level I [(Wardlaw, del Zoppo, & Yamaguchi, 2003; Hacke et al., 2004])
Intravenous rt-PA in acute ischaemic stroke should be given under the authority of a specialist physician and interdisciplinary acute care team with expert knowledge of stroke management, experience in the use of intravenous thrombolytic therapy and with pathways and protocols available to guide medical, nursing and allied health acute phase management. Pathways or protocols must include guidance in acute blood pressure management. (Grade C; Level I [Wardlaw, del Zoppo, & Yamaguchi, 2003] & Level IV [Graham, 2003])
Thrombolysis should only be undertaken in a hospital setting with appropriate infrastructure, facilities and networks. (CPP)
A minimum set of de-identified data from all patients treated with thrombolysis should be recorded in a central register to allow monitoring, review, comparison and benchmarking of key outcomes measures over time. (Grade C; Level IV [(Walhgren et al., 2007])
Antithrombotic Therapy
Aspirin (150-300mg) should be given as soon as possible after the onset of stroke symptoms (i.e., within 48 hours) if computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan excludes haemorrhage. (Grade A; Level I [(Sandercock et al., 2003])
The routine use of anticoagulation (e.g., intravenous unfractionated heparin) in unselected patients following ischaemic stroke/TIA is not recommended. (Grade A; Level I [(Gubitz, Sandercock, & Counsell, 2004; Paciaroni et al., 2007])
Blood Pressure Lowering Therapy
If extremely high blood pressure (e.g., BP >220/120) exists, instituting or increasing antihypertensive therapy may be started, but blood pressure should be cautiously reduced (e.g., by no more than 10-20%) and the patient observed for signs of neurological deterioration. (CPP)
Pre-existing antihypertensive therapy may be continued (orally or via nasogastric tube) provided there is no symptomatic hypotension or other reason to withhold treatment. (CPP)
Surgery for Ischaemic Stroke
Selected patients (e.g., 18-60 years where surgery can occur within 48 hours of symptom onset) with significant middle cerebral artery infarction should be urgently referred to a neurosurgeon for consideration of hemicraniectomy. (Grade A; Level I [Vahedi et al., 2007])
There is currently insufficient evidence to make recommendations about the use of intracranial endovascular surgery. (Level I [Cruz-Flores & Diamond, 2006])
Intracerebral Haemorrhage (ICH)
The use of haemostatic drug treatment with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is currently considered experimental and is not recommended for use outside a clinical trial. (Grade B; Level I [You & Al-Shahi, 2006])
The routine use of surgery is not recommended for patients with supratentorial haematoma but may be considered in certain circumstances, including:
- Stereotactic surgery for patients with deep ICH. (Grade C; Level I [Teernstra, Evers, & Kessels, 2006])
- Craniotomy for patients where haematoma is superficial (<1cm from surface). (Grade C; Level II [Mendelow et al., 2005])
Surgical evacuation may be undertaken for cerebellar hemisphere haematomas >3cm diameter in selected patients. (CPP)
In ICH patients who have a history of hypertension, mean arterial pressure should be maintained below 130 mm Hg. (CPP)
General Acute Stroke Care
Physiological Monitoring
Patients should have their neurological status (including Glasgow Coma Scale) and vital signs including pulse, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation, glucose, and respiratory pattern monitored and documented regularly during the acute phase, the frequency of such observations being determined by the patient's status. (Grade C, Level II [Sulter et al., 2003] & Level III-2 [Silva et al., 2005; Cavallini et al., 2003])
Oxygen Therapy
Patients who are hypoxic should be given oxygen supplementation. (CPP)
Glycaemic Control
Patients with hyperglycaemia should have their blood glucose level monitored and appropriate glycaemic therapy instituted to ensure euglycaemia, especially if the patient is diabetic. Hypoglycaemia should be avoided. (CPP)
Intensive, early maintenance of euglycaemia is currently not recommended. (Grade B; Level II [Gray et al., 2007])
Neuroprotective Agents
The use of putative neuroprotectors should only be used if part of a randomised controlled trial. (Grade A; Level I & II [Ladurner, Kalvach, & Moessler, 2005; Muir et al., 2004; Krams et al., 2003; Muir & Lees, 2003])
Complementary and Alternative Therapy
The routine use of the following complementary and alternative therapies are not recommended:
- Acupuncture (Grade B, Level I [Wu et al., 2006; Zhang, et al., 2005])
- Ginkgo biloba extract or Dan shen agents (Grade B, Level I [Wu, Liu, & Zhang, 2007; Zeng, et al., 2005)])
- Reiki therapy (Grade C, Level II [Shiflett et al., 2002])
- Other alternative therapies. (CPP)
Health professionals should be aware of different forms of complementary and alternative therapies and be available to discuss these with stroke survivors and their families. (CPP)
Definitions:
Levels of Evidence
Level |
Intervention |
Diagnosis |
Prognosis |
Aetiology |
Screening |
I |
A systematic review of Level II studies |
A systematic review of Level II studies |
A systematic review of Level II studies |
A systematic review of Level II studies |
A systematic review of Level II studies |
II |
A randomised controlled trial |
A study of test accuracy with: an independent, blinded comparison with a valid reference standard, among consecutive patients with a defined clinical presentation |
A prospective cohort study |
A prospective cohort study |
A randomised controlled trial |
III-1 |
A pseudo-randomised controlled trial (i.e., alternate allocation or some other method) |
A study of test accuracy with: an independent, blinded comparison with a valid reference standard, among consecutive patients with a defined clinical presentation |
All or none |
All or none |
A pseudo-randomised controlled trial (i.e., alternate allocation or some other method) |
III-2 |
A comparative study with concurrent controls:
- Non-randomised experimental trial
- Cohort study
- Case-control study
- Interrupted time series without a parallel control group
|
A comparison with a reference standard that does not meet the criteria required for Level II and Level III-1 evidence |
Analysis of prognostic factors amongst untreated control patients in a randomised controlled trial |
A retrospective cohort study |
A comparative study with concurrent controls:
- Nonrandomised, experimental trial
- Cohort study
- Case-control study
|
III-3 |
A comparative study without concurrent controls:
- Historical control study
- Two or more single arm study
- Interrupted time series without a parallel control group
|
Diagnostic case-control study |
A retrospective cohort study |
A case-control study |
A comparative study without concurrent controls:
- Historical control study
- Two or more single arm study
|
IV |
Case series with either post-test or pre-test/post-test outcomes |
Study of diagnostic yield (no reference standard) |
Case series or cohort study of patients at different stages of disease |
A cross-sectional study |
Case series |
Grading of Recommendations
Grade |
Description |
A |
Body of evidence can be trusted to guide practice |
B |
Body of evidence can be trusted to guide practice in most situations |
C |
Body of evidence provides some support for recommendation(s) but care should be taken in its application |
D |
Body of evidence is weak and recommendation must be applied with caution |
Clinical Practice Points |
CPP |
Recommended best practice based on clinical experience and expert opinion |