New ASA 2026 Stroke Ischemic Guidelines with Chair Dr. Shyam Prabhakaran

Send us Fan MailA stroke can feel like a lightning strike on the brain’s power grid—which is why the new 2026 AHA/ASA acute ischemic stroke guidelines focus on speed, clarity, and better systems at every step. We sit down with the chair of the writing group, Dr. Sean Pabakaron, to translate cutting-edge research into actions families, clinicians, and first responders can take right now. No jargon, no fluff—just the signals to watch, the questions to ask, and the processes that save brain.We unpack what changed since the 2018–2019 updates and why more than 50 new trials reshaped the playbook for pre-hospital screening, ER imaging timelines, thrombolysis decision-making, and routing to thrombectomy-capable centers. You’ll learn how tools like FAST and the Cincinnati scale help paramedics identify strokes in the field, why regions now sometimes bypass closer hospitals, and how door-in, door-out time became a critical quality metric for transfers. Inside the ED, we outline the ideal sequence from stroke alert to scan within 25 minutes, to mixing tenecteplase or alteplase, to rapid consults for clot retrieval—because earlier treatment within extended windows still yields better outcomes.We also spotlight a major breakthrough: meaningful guidance for pediatric stroke. Kids present differently, the data are thinner, and the stakes are high. Dr. Prabhakaran explains when thrombolysis and thrombectomy can be considered in expert centers and how causes shift from congenital factors to post-viral arteriopathy or trauma as children age. We close with practical prevention: midlife blood pressure control, access to primary care, and the simple steps that protect cognition and reduce stroke risk over decades.If stroke touches your life—as a survivor, caregiver, clinician, or advocate—this conversation gives you a clear map for a faster, safer response. Listen, share with your circle, and help us spread actionable stroke knowledge. If you find this valuable, follow the show, leave a rating, and tell a friend who needs a smarter plan for brain health.https://aphasiaadvocates.com/ for Brain Friends Merchhttps://aphasia.org/event/ask-the-expert-february-2026/https://www.cognitiverecoverylab.com/seleshttps://aphasia.org/stories/announcing-the-davetrina-seles-gadson-health-equity-grant-program/Our beloved colleague, Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, passed away January 11, 2025. Dr. Gadson was an extraordinary speech-language pathologist and neuroscience researcher who devoted her energy to studying health disparities in aphasia recovery. She was a fierce advocate for improving services for individuals with aphasia, particularly Black Americans. Her research transformed our understanding of these health disparities and shed light on how we can address them. We were privileged to have Dr. Gadson as a cherished member of our lab community for four years, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as an Instructor of Rehabilitation Medicine. She was still a close collaborator and friend to many of us at the time of her passing. Dr. Gadson was an incredible person—compassionate, inspiring, and full of life. Her dedication to advancing equity in aphasia recovery and her profound impact on our community will never be forgotten. ...