Prevention and Treatment of Maternal Stroke in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Summary
This AHA scientific statement synthesizes stroke prevention and urgent management during pregnancy and postpartum. It emphasizes prompt management of severe maternal hypertension and that pregnancy should not delay evidence-based acute stroke assessment and treatment. CT, CT angiography and MRI without contrast are described as suitable rapid imaging options, with early vascular neurology and maternal-fetal-medicine involvement.
Why it matters
Activate combined stroke and obstetric assessment without postponing indicated brain or vascular imaging. Stabilize the mother and address severe hypertension; stroke alone does not mandate immediate delivery.
Study at a glance
- Design
- Consensus statement
- Population
- Pregnant and postpartum patients at risk for or presenting with stroke.
- Sample size
- Not applicable
- Intervention
- Multidisciplinary scientific guidance on prevention, imaging, acute treatment and maternal stabilization.
- Comparator
- Prior variable general-stroke and obstetric pathways; not a trial.
- Primary endpoint
- Guidance on maternal stroke rather than a randomized primary outcome.
Key recommendations
- Pregnancy should not delay evidence-based acute stroke evaluation and treatment.
- CT, CT angiography and noncontrast MRI are suitable rapid maternal stroke imaging options.
- Treat severe maternal hypertension promptly.
- Maternal stabilization takes precedence over delivery planning; stroke alone does not mandate immediate delivery.
Limitations
A scientific statement based partly on consensus, not a new randomized trial or uniformly graded treatment guideline. The official AHA summary and PubMed abstract, not the complete journal article, were reviewed.
Recommendation strength
Scientific statement with consensus suggestions; no uniform formal class/level established from reviewed sources.
Read the primary source
Full text: Official society summary available.
Original sourceDOI: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000514
PMID: 41603019
Material reviewed: official society summary.
Source retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Official AHA hub/Top Things to Know and PubMed abstract PMID 41603019 DOI 10.1161/STR.0000000000000514 reviewed. Epub January 28, 2026; April is print issue. ACOG endorsement listing dated January 2026; journal full text not reviewed. No verified correction found in targeted checking.
Corrections & review history
No corrections recorded. Human review: not yet human-reviewed.