Improved detection of cerebrovascular disease processes: Introduction to the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism special issue on cerebrovascular disease

Approximately 15 million individuals suffer a stroke worldwide each year, and stroke results in death or permanent disability in two-thirds of these individuals. Due to increased knowledge and management of modifiable risk factors, stroke incidence in developed countries is declining, however remains high at just under 1 million patients per year in the United States alone. Further improving management of patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ultimately will require development and clinical adoption of sensitive markers of hemodynamic and metabolic failure, as well as trials that evaluate how to interpret these markers to optimize therapies. Realizing this goal and reducing the complete burden of CVD is dependent on an improved understanding of the pathophysiological processes that underlie CVD in all stages, including sub-clinical disease processes, acute stroke, and post-stroke recovery mechanisms. This document serves as an introduction to the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism special issue on cerebrovascular diseases, which is comprised of contributions from experts in each of the above stages of CVD, and outlines current standards for patient management and emerging directions that have potential for improving patient care over the next decade.