Specific therapies for ischaemic stroke: rTPA and others.
In the last few years there have been several important advances in the understanding of cerebrovascular disorder pathophysiology that have impacted on stroke management. The development of timely and effective treatment strategies was and is still considered a high priority issue. Therapeutic options dramatically increased both in the prevention and overall in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). At present, whereas neuroprotection remains experimental, intravenous (i.v.) thrombolysis is the only specific therapy effective in reducing mortality and disability associated with stroke. The efficacy and safety of the antithrombotic therapy in AIS treatment are not well established, and few issues in clinical stroke management are more controversial. However, some studies have brought new light and new doubts on the roles of these traditional therapies.
Toni
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D
Unità di Trattamento Neurovascolare, University La Sapienza, Viale dell'Università 30, I-00185 Rome, Italy. danilo.toni@uniroma1.it
Lorenzano
S
S
Sacchetti
M L
ML
Fiorelli
M
M
De Michele
M
M
Principe
M
M
D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator