Dr Anna Ranta (MD, PhD, FRACP) is a neurologist and stroke researcher from Wellington, New Zealand. Her research focuses on stroke and TIA service delivery optimization, service integration, health equity, and knowledge translation.  She was born and raised in Germany,  completed her medicine and neurology training at New York University and University of Virginia, USA, and has been living and working in New Zealand for the past ten years. She is the NZ National Clinical Leader for Stroke (MoH), chairs the National Stroke Network, leads the NZ Telestroke initiative, is an Executive Clinical Director of Medicine at CCDHB, and serves on the Stroke Society of Australasia Executive Committee and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologist Council. 

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ABSTRACT

Acute Stroke & TIA Update

This presentation will cover a review of current key TIA and acute stroke management principles with reference to the upcoming new 2017 Australasian Stroke Guidelines that are currently being finalised. A specific focus of the presentation will be the latest advances and supporting scientific evidence in stroke and TIA care including NZ specific implementation strategies.  Endovascular clot retrieval or thrombectomy represents the most significant advance over the past couple of years and will be covered in detail. However, other aspects including novel anticoagulants and their reversal, new blood pressure parameters in intracerebral haemorrhage, dual antiplatelets in secondary prevention, left atrial appendage occlusion in atrial fibrillation, telestroke, and NZ Ministry of Health stroke indicators will be touched upon as well.