In cases where a patient is not a thrombolytic candidate, which treatment is provided?

When a patient is not a candidate for thrombolytic therapy, optimizing cerebral perfusion and blood pressure management becomes a critical focus in their treatment. This approach is essential because it aims to minimize the potential for further brain damage while maximizing blood flow to the affected areas.

Maintaining stable blood pressure is vital, as both hypotension and hypertension can exacerbate ischemic brain tissue injury. The goal is to ensure adequate perfusion to the brain, allowing it to receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients to aid recovery and mitigate secondary complications.

This management strategy is particularly important in the context of ischemic strokes, where thrombolytic therapy may be contraindicated due to factors like time since symptom onset, the risk of hemorrhage, or specific patient conditions. In such cases, supporting the brain's metabolic needs through careful monitoring and management of cerebral blood flow is crucial to patient outcomes.

Other treatment options, such as immediate surgery or solely focusing on pain management, do not address the underlying need for cerebral perfusion and stability of the patient’s condition. Hence, optimizing cerebral perfusion and blood pressure management is the correct approach in these scenarios.