Glial fibrillary acidic protein in acute stroke: what we know and what we need to know

The differentiation between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a challenge for physicians. Effective treatments differ between both types of stroke but require therapy initiation as soon as possible after stroke onset. Therapeutic decisions—whether we start i.v. thrombolysis and deliver patients to hospitals with endovascular service in AIS or immediately lower blood pressure and reverse anticoagulation in case of ICH—depend on differentiation between these two types of stroke (1-3).