2026 AHA/ASA Guidelines for Early AIS

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) continues to be a major source of disability and death in the United States and around the world. The incidence of stroke is rising commensurately with the aging population. Advances in evidence for improved stroke care has also been rapidly increasing in recent years, so that the 2018 and 2019 American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) guidelines require significant updating. Objective: To provide a comprehensive, timely, evidence-based set of recommendations for AIS management. Methods: The AHA/ASA, supported by other specialty societies, formed an expert panel literature review. A dedicated search for relevant articles from several large databases was undertaken between September and December 2024 with a few high-impact studies published in 2025 also reviewed. From there, guidelines were written and revised by the expert panel with oversight from a committee of accomplished reviewers. Discussion: The institution of mo more...