using the clot-buster t-PA (Activase) for stroke
January 1996
There's a lot of excitement about using the clot-buster t-PA (Activase) for stroke...similar to its use for heart attacks.
Most strokes are caused by a blood clot that stops or reduces blood flow to the brain. For these ischemic strokes, t-PA seems to reduce disability...probably by restoring blood flow.
The key is to give it in the first 3 hours...and ONLY to appropriate patients. Some patients SHOULDN'T get t-PA because of the increased risk of intracranial bleeding.
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