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Alteplase in acute ischemic stroke: putting the guidelines into practice
Nandakumar Nagaraja1, Harold P Adams
1Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, 2148 RCP, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Abstract:
Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA or alteplase) is the only approved medical intervention for treatment of acute ischemic stroke within the first hours of symptom onset. In this article, we review the preliminary studies of rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke that led to US FDA approval of its use within 3 h of symptom onset. The studies on rt-PA for use beyond 3 h of symptom onset and future reperfusion therapies are discussed. Overviews of the clinical presentation and treatment of acute ischemic stroke and stroke systems of care are described.
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