What is the imaging time target for Brain CT/MRI in the acute stroke workflow?

What is the imaging time target for Brain CT/MRI in the acute stroke workflow?

• A. 60 minutes
• B. 25 minutes
• C. 15 minutes
• D. 45 minutes

Answer: (B)

In acute stroke care, imaging is done as quickly as possible because it confirms whether a bleed is present and shows the extent of brain tissue at risk, which directly guides treatment decisions. The imaging time target is to complete brain CT or MRI within 25 minutes of the patient’s arrival. Hitting this window allows rapid exclusion of hemorrhage with a non-contrast CT and timely assessment of ischemic tissue with MRI when available, so therapies like thrombolysis or thrombectomy can be considered without unnecessary delay. CT is typically used first because it is fast and widely available, and MRI can provide more detailed tissue information when feasible, but the overarching goal remains the same: keep imaging within 25 minutes to accelerate decision-making and treatment. While some centers may push for even shorter times, 25 minutes is the standard benchmark in many stroke performance measures.

In acute stroke care, imaging is done as quickly as possible because it confirms whether a bleed is present and shows the extent of brain tissue at risk, which directly guides treatment decisions. The imaging time target is to complete brain CT or MRI within 25 minutes of the patient’s arrival. Hitting this window allows rapid exclusion of hemorrhage with a non-contrast CT and timely assessment of ischemic tissue with MRI when available, so therapies like thrombolysis or thrombectomy can be considered without unnecessary delay.

CT is typically used first because it is fast and widely available, and MRI can provide more detailed tissue information when feasible, but the overarching goal remains the same: keep imaging within 25 minutes to accelerate decision-making and treatment. While some centers may push for even shorter times, 25 minutes is the standard benchmark in many stroke performance measures.