ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 63-year-old man who is brought into the Emergency Department after crashing into the car in front while driving on a quiet street. This is a trauma situation, and not infrequently, such events are precipitated by a medical condition, like a myocardial infarction, seizure or, as in this case, a stroke. Once the primary survey has taken place and the patient does not require any further lifesaving interventions from a trauma standpoint, a focused and thorough history from the patient and any family member present is warranted if the suspicion of a precipitating event like a stroke is high. In patients with ischaemic stroke, reperfusion therapy has evolved into a larger role in management, in an attempt to salvage ischaemic but not infarcted brain. Blood tests usually will be available within 30 minutes and should be initiated early on regardless of the diagnosis.
