Good outcomes in ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis despite regressing neurological symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the clinical course of 19 acute stroke patients with rapid early improvement of neurological deficit within the 3-hour window, treated with intravenous thrombolytics.


RESULTS
No patient demonstrated a neurological deterioration during hospitalization. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at therapy decision and discharge were 5 (4 to 6) and 0.5 (0 to 1.5), respectively. At 3-month follow-up, 1 patient had died; in remaining patients, NIHSS was 0 (0 to 1) and modified Rankin Scale 0.5 (0 to 1; < or =1 in 15 patients).


CONCLUSIONS
Withholding of intravenous thrombolysis because of spontaneous early regression of neurological symptoms may not be justified.
Department of Neurology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Christian R
CR
Baumann
Ralf W
RW
Baumgartner
Joubin
J
Gandjour
Hans-Christian
HC
von Büdingen
Adrian M
AM
Siegel
Dimitrios
D
Georgiadis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome