Use of rtPA for Acute Ischemic Stroke Within 3 to 4.5 Hours Is Cost Effective in Most Instances

The administration of tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for patients who present with acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours of symptom onset has been demonstrated to improve disability scores and to be cost effective. In an industry-funded study, investigators used a disease-based decision-analytic model and data from the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study III to determine the cost effectiveness of treatment within 3 to 4.5 hours after symptom onset.

When compared to patients given placebo, those treated with rtPA within 3 to 4.5 hours had an increased life expectancy of 0.07 years and 0.24 quality-adjusted life-years and an added cost of $1495 (i.e., 7 years of life or 24 years of quality-adjusted life at a cost of $149,500 for every …