[Thrombolytic treatment of acute cerebral infarction].
BACKGROUND
Thrombolytic therapy of acute ischaemic stroke within three hours of the onset of symptoms is approved by health authorities in the USA and Canada, but not in Europe.


METHODS
We report seven patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) within three hours of the onset of stroke according to an open protocol following internationally accepted guidelines.


RESULTS
Three patients with initial severe neurological deficits made an almost complete recovery within the first 24 hours after treatment. Two patients had a partial remission, and two patients had no benefit. There were no bleeding complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results are in accordance with the Cochrane Library's analysis of published data regarding thrombolytic therapy.
Boysen
G
G
H:S Bispebjerg Hospital, neurologisk afdeling, radiologisk afdeling, klinisk fysiologisk afdeling. gb01@bbh.hosp.dk
Vorstrup
S
S
Meden
P
P
Ballegaard
M
M
Soyka
S
S
Højgaard
J
J
Voldsgaard
A
A
Grønbech-Jensen
M
M
Løwbech
Y
Y
Karle
A
A
Friberg
L
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator