For decades the occurrence of an insult to the brain from ischaemia or from haemorrhage was used to localize brain function or to describe syndromes. It was an academic pursuit and of little help to the patients. Prevention and therapy remained elusive. Fortunately, revolutionary changes followed upon several sequential and contemporaneous developments: imaging of the blood vessels, the brain and the heart; explosive new knowledge about thrombosis and strategies to modify it; surgical techniques to remove the lesions of arterial degenerations and faults; and the maturation of the science of epidemiology, methodology and biostatics which lead us on a path towards the practice of evidence-based medicine. This work aims to assist practitioners to make practical use of this rapidly expanding body of knowledge. It is written to assist those at the bedside or the clinic, in sorting out what is useful, to point out what is likely to become useful, and to caution about therapeutic strategies which remain in the realm of speculation. The book is a distillation of that which currently is useful to know and utilize in the field of cerebral vascular disease.
Unlike many handbooks its content is not dry and it is up to date and exceptionally readable The authors managed to convey complex information about stroke and its management in a digestible yet comprehensive format. Putting the information in a historical perspective often with reference to personal experience and some humor gives the reader a sense of the personal touch and makes the reading more enjoyable and even entertaining Another important feature is the truly encyclopedic coverage of the topics. An exceptionally detailed index helps the reader navigate through the book. I highly recommend this encyclopedic stroke textbook to all medical students physicians clinicians and academicians interested in stroke or working with patients with stroke and their families For all of these readers this is truly a must have table book. (
Journal of the American Medical Association, November 2008)
"All the chapters are excellent, but the nearly 100–page chapter on the general management of stroke is a masterpiece, dealing at the highest scientific level with daily practical problems that are often neglected in other books." (New England Journal of Medicine)
Reviews of the first edition
"This is a comprehensive review of virtually all clinically important aspects of stroke and cerebrovascular disease...I highly recommend this book..." (Archives of Neurology)
"...this is medical book of the year (or even decade), you should buy two copies and give one to your mum..." (JNNP)
"′Must reading′ for any physician who treats patients with stroke, it presents a unique blend of academic and clinical perspectives. I highly recommend it..." (Mayo Clinic Proceedings)
"...a remarkable piece of work...The book is written in a brilliant didactic form..." (Gerontology)
