Multi-modal imaging in acute ischemic stroke includes structural imaging, perfusion imaging and angiographic assessment of brain arteries. Perfusion imaging discriminates brain tissue that is critically hypo-perfused but salvageable (ischemic penumbra) from irreversibly injured tissue (ischemic core). In acute reperfusion therapies (intravenous or endovascular), patients who have substantial penumbra and a small core (target mismatch pattern) are most likely to have a good clinical outcome. Patient selection based on multi-modal imaging is not proven mandatory for acute treatment in patients admitted within the established time-window. Multi-modal image-based patient selection may be promising tool to identify candidates for acute treatment beyond the established time-window.