Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU): The Future of Acute Stroke Treatment?

Abstract

Time is the key factor in brain survivability in acute stroke treatment.1The therapeutic
effects of intravenous recombinant tissue Plasminogen Activator (IV rtPA) are highly dependent on time.1-3 Stroke patients presenting within the first 60 minutes, or the golden hour, are the
most likely to benefit from recanalization therapy.1-3 Thus, making rapid clinical and imaging
evaluation of stroke patients of upmost importance and very difficult to complete within the
golden hour time window. Based on Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Program (April 2003 to
October 2009), less than one-third of patients treated with IV rtPA have door-to-needle times
of less than 60 minutes.4