tPA in acute stroke--risk or reprieve?

Stroke outcome is measured by survival and disability. Since more patients are surviving stroke, researchers are pursuing ways to reduce the severity of neurological deficits. Anticoagulant treatment with heparin prevents, rather than treats, thrombotic or embolic occlusions; therefore, the search for safer thrombolytic preparations continues. Tissue plasminogen activator is currently under investigation as an effective, safe treatment for acute stroke patients. However, the administration of tPA carriers a risk of hemorrhage. Although this article discussed tPA administered with an arteriogram based protocol, tPA investigation occurs using other protocols. Once acute stroke patients receive tPA, then measures to prevent complications and manage the stroke symptoms determine the risks and benefits patients receive. Nursing management of these patients can contribute to these benefits.