Thrombolysis: An Enlarged Treatment Window And Stent Support Open Possibilities For More Patients

Main Category: Stroke
Also Included In: Blood / Hematology;  Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 23 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Professor Ferro sees better chances for stroke victims in the newest scientific findings on thrombolytic treatment. This intravenously applied medication to break up blood clots has significantly improved survival chances for stroke victims. Guidelines and regulatory approvals have hitherto recommended a time window of three hours between the onset of stroke and the beginning of therapy.

The recently published ECASS III study showed that treatment between 3 and 4.5 hours after the onset of a stroke with the thrombolytic agent alteplase can also improve clinical outcome. Data from the trial show that thrombolysis, when used in the 3 to 4.5 hour time window, is consistent with the safety profile reported for the approved time window of 0 to 3 hours. "These new insights open treatment possibilities for a variety of patients who hitherto were not able to profit from thrombolysis. Many patients today still are not able to reach a clinic within three hours," Professor Ferro says. "I assume that this will soon be reflected in the treatment guidelines and regulatory approvals."

Yet another new approach should likewise expand the possibilities of thrombolysis. Professor Ferro notes that "endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis is a promising treatment for patients with a specific type of artery occlusions arising from internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection." Spontaneous ICA dissection is a common cause of stroke in young people. The condition mainly has thromboembolic consequences which are often resistant to intravenous thrombolysis.

Source
European Neurological Society