Refining the Use of Thrombolytics in Acute Stroke

Investigators conducted a pooled analysis of the six major, partially manufacturer-supported, randomized, controlled clinical trials of intravenous t-PA (IV t-PA) for treatment of acute stroke: . . .

Investigators conducted a pooled analysis of the six major, partially manufacturer-supported, randomized, controlled clinical trials of intravenous t-PA (IV t-PA) for treatment of acute stroke: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke rt-PA Stroke Study (NINDS) parts 1 and 2, the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) parts 1 and 2, and the Alteplase Thrombolysis for Acute Noninterventional Therapy in Ischemic Stroke study (ATLANTIS) parts A and B. All together, 2775 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The primary objective was to determine how time-to-treatment affects dichotomized neurologic outcomes at 3 months.

The four most important conclusions were: (1) t-PA may be beneficial beyond 3…

Reviewing Authors

Rishi Gupta, MD

Anthony J. Furlan, MD