Early complications of ischemic stroke.

Patients with acute ischemic stroke are at high risk of neurologic and medical complications, such as space-occupying edema formation, hemorrhagic transformation of the infarct, epileptic seizures, depression, and venous thromboembolism. They should therefore be monitored closely for early detection of these complications. Care is best when the patient is admitted to a specialized stroke unit. The multidisciplinary approach provided by stroke units, including specialized medical, nursing, and remedial therapies, reduces the duration of hospitalization and improves functional outcome. For many complications, however, optimal treatment and its effect on functional outcome after stroke has not been established. Therefore, in addition to the ongoing acute intervention trials, well-designed, large randomized trials are needed to address the prevention and treatment of complications and their effect on functional outcome.