Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the world and a major source of disability. This invaluable reference will provide clinicians caring for stroke patients with ready access to the optimal evidence for best practice in acute stroke treatment and secondary prevention. The author, who is a member of the editorial board of the Cochrane Stroke Review Group, describes all available treatments for acute stroke and secondary prevention, the rationale for using them and, where available, the highest level of evidence for their safety and effectiveness. Where level 1 evidence is not available, he offers advice on reasonable practice and information about current research. The evidence for each treatment is followed by the author's interpretations and the implications of the evidence in the care of stroke patients. This is therefore an essential resource for clinicians, translating into practice advances that have been made in the treatment and prevention of stroke and suggesting the most appropriate interventions.