AHA GUIDELINES Bundle (free trial)

Disclaimer is resource is for informational purposes only, intended as a quick-reference tool based on the cited source guideline(s), and should not be used as a substitute for the independent professional judgment of healthcare providers. Practice guidelines are unable to account for every individual variation among patients or take the place of clinician judgment, and the ultimate decision concerning the propriety of any course of conduct must be made by healthcare providers aer consideration of each individual patient situation. Guideline Central does not endorse any specific guideline(s) or guideline recommendations and has not independently verified the accuracy hereof. Any use of this resource or any other Guideline Central resources is strictly voluntary. Sources Prabhakaran S, Gonzalez NR, Zachrison KS, Adeoye O, Alexandrov AW, Ansari SA, Chapman S, Czap AL, Dumitrascu OM, Ishida K, Jadhav AP, Johnson B, Johnston KC, Khatri P, Kimberly WT, Lee VH, Leslie-Mazwi TM, Mac Grory B, Madsen TE, Menon B, Mistry EA, Park S, Parker S, Perez de la Ossa N, Reeves M, Saiz T; Scott PA, Schwartzberg D, Sheth SA, Sporns PB, Times S, Tjoumakaris S, Wolfe SQ, Yaghi S. 2026 Guideline for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. Published online January 26, 2026. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000513 AHASTRO01263c TEL: 407.878.7606 Order additional copies at GuidelineCentral.com Copyright © 2026 All rights reserved GuidelineCentral.com Abbreviations ABCD, Age, Blood Pressure, Clinical Features, Duration, and Diabetes (TIA risk score); AF, atrial fibrillation; AHA, American Heart Association; AIS, acute ischemic stroke; AKI, acute kidney injury; ASA, American Stroke Association; Asa, aspirin; ASRH, acute stroke-ready hospital; Athero, atherosclerosis; BP, blood pressure; CBF, cerebral blood flow; CHANCE, Clopidogrel in High-risk patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events; CHANCE 2, Clopidogrel versus Ticagrelor in High-risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events; CMB, cerebral microbleed; COR, class of recommendation; CRAO, central retinal artery occlusion; CSC, comprehensive stroke center; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; CT, computed tomography; CTA, computed tomographic angiography; CTP, computed tomographic perfusion; DAPT, dual antiplatelet therapy; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; DIDO, door-in-door-out; DOAC, direct oral anticoagulant; DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; DTAS, direct triage to the angiography suite; DTN, door-to-needle; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; DWI, diffusion-weighted imaging ; ECG, electrocardiogram; ED, emergency department; EMS, emergency medical services; EVT, endovascular thrombectomy; FLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery; GPC, graded compression stockings; GTN, glyceryl trinitrate; HBO, hyperbaric oxygen; ICA, internal carotid artery; ICH, intracerebral hemorrhage; ICU, intensive care unit; INSPIRES, Innovative Stroke Prevention and Intervention Research Study; IPC, intermittent pneumatic devices; IV, intravenous; IVT, intravenous thrombolytics; LKN, last known normal; LMWH, low-molecular- weight heparin; LOE, level of evidence; LVO, large vessel occlusion; MCA, middle cerebral artery; MI, myocardial infarction; MRA, magnetic resonance angiography; mRS, modified Rankin Scale; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging ; MSU, mobile stroke unit(s); NBO, normobaric hyperoxia; NCCT, noncontrast computed tomography; NIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; NIRS, near-infrared spectroscopy; PE, pulmonary embolism; PES, pharyngeal electrical stimulation; POINT, Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke; PSC, primary stroke center; PSD, poststroke depression; QI, quality improvement; RCT, randomized controlled trial(s); SAE, serious adverse event; SAPT, single antiplatelet therapy; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SpO 2 , oxygen saturation; SSOC, stroke systems of care; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; THALES, Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Treated with Ticagrelor and ASA for Prevention of Stroke and Death; TIA, transient ischemic attack; tPA, tissue plasminogen activator; TSC, thrombectomy-capable stroke center; UFH, unfractionated heparin; UTI, urinary tract infection; VTE, venous thromboembolism

• Cover