Acute Stroke Management: Guideline-Based Diagnosis, Imaging, and Reperfusion Treatment

What you'll learn

Course overview

Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability, yet outcomes are highly dependent on the speed and accuracy of clinical decision-making in the critical minutes after onset. This continuing education course delivers a comprehensive, guideline-based framework for acute stroke management, covering everything from stroke classification and cerebrovascular anatomy to advanced neuroimaging, reperfusion therapy, and secondary prevention. Clinicians will build a working understanding of how to differentiate ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and TIA using current tissue-based definitions, identify large-vessel occlusion and interpret perfusion imaging findings, determine eligibility for intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy including in extended treatment windows, and apply evidence-based physiologic optimization strategies to minimize secondary brain injury. The course also addresses the essential interprofessional nursing role across the acute stroke care continuum, from protocol activation through post-reperfusion monitoring and transitions of care. Grounded in the 2026 AHA/ASA guidelines, this course translates current evidence into practical clinical application for every member of the stroke care team.