Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in acute ischemic stroke

Objective To investigate the curative effect and complication of thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in acute ischemic stroke within 6 hours of symptom onset. Methods 43 patients who were treated with r-tPA 〔32 subjects with intraarterial (IA) and 11 subjects with intravenous (IV) administration〕 were evaluated retrospectively during 2001-2003. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the European Stroke Scale (ESS), the Barthel Index were measured in two groups respectively before and after thrombolysis. According to the scores of following up for 3-months, we evaluated the curative effect with 4 degrees (cure, apparently effective, effective, invalid). Results In the IV and IA group, the total effective rates were 79.3% (IV) and 90.9% (IA), cure rates were 27.6%, 45.5% respectively, and hemorrhage rates were 10.3% and 18.2%. The difference between the two group wasn't statistical significant. Conclusions Thrombolysis with r-tPA in acute ischemic stroke within 6 hours of onset is safe and effective, and the patients with low NIHSS have good prognosis.