The Pitfalls of NIHSS: Time for a New Clinical Acute Stroke Severity Scoring System in the Emergency?

Abstract

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide. Stroke severity scales serve as reliable means to track a patient’s neurological deficit, predict outcome, and guide treatment decisions in clinical practice. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was introduced over 30 years ago, marking a significant milestone in the field of stroke. Over the years, there have been notable advancements in acute stroke care. Despite several modifications made to NIHSS, none has yet succeeded in effectively capturing all the complex effects of a stroke. This review focuses on the pitfalls of NIHSS and emphasizes the need for a quick and comprehensive clinical and upgraded version of the stroke severity rating scale.