The treatment of diabetes after an acute ischaemic stroke

People with diabetes are at increased risk of ischaemic stroke and outcome after stroke is worse. This paper reviews the treatment of patients with diabetes after ischaemic stroke. First, management of hyperglycaemia in the acute stage will be addressed. We will make the point that, despite the fact that admission hyperglycaemia is a common risk factor for poor outcome after ischaemic stroke, there is still much uncertainty about whether intensive glucose-lowering therapy after stroke benefits clinical outcome. Secondary prevention of further cardiovascular events after stroke is the other main topic of this review. We will show that there are important opportunities for the reduction of stroke risk in diabetes, through a rigorous evaluation and treatment of associated risk factors.