Challenge of intravascular volume assessment in acute ischemic stroke.

Introduction: Retrospective data indicates that dehydration in acute ischemic stroke patients may be common, even though these patients frequently have elevated blood pressure. We sought to evaluate clinical and laboratory measures of intravascular volume status compared to more objective measures using ultrasound measurements of the inferior vena cava (IVC).

Methods: This was a prospective observation study of acute ischemic stroke patients in the emergency department.