Benign angioedema after thrombolysis for acute stroke

We present a case of acute angioedema after administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) for acute ischemic stroke. Our patient was treated with t-PA in accordance with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) protocol, and subsequently developed angioedema of the lower lip that subsided within 2 hours. Five patients who required upper airway control after the use of t-PA for ischemic stroke have been reported in the literature. Although the outcome in our case was excellent, development of angioedema after t-PA administration is a potential complication of which treating physicians need to be aware.