Physicians are not well informed about the new guidelines for the treatment of acute stroke

Abstract

ABSTRACT Treatment of cerebrovascular disease has advanced rapidly in the last two decades. Recent data has added challenges to the treatment of ischemic stroke in the acute phase. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of physicians about the treatment of ischemic stroke in the acute phase. Methods: An online questionnaire was submitted to all physicians enrolled in the Regional Council of Medicine in Brazil. Results: 456 physicians from different specialties answered the questions. Most of them did not know that mechanical endovascular thrombectomy is often considered as the gold standard treatment in cases of ischemic stroke in the acute phase; and 85% of them did not realize that thrombectomy together with intravenous thrombolysis was possible. The maximum time to act in an acute event also presented many divergences, even with regard to the infusion of rtPA. The lack of structure, medication and absence of a neurologist were considered the main barriers to treatment. Conclusion: Physicians are not well informed about the new guidelines for the treatment of acute stroke. Most physicians incorrectly answered most of the questions on the questionnaire.