title: [Ischemic stroke patients following intravenous thrombolysis. Outcome in a regional stroke center].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We wanted to compare the outcome following IV thrombolysis in our patients with ischemic stroke with the outcome reported from the phase 3 registration trials and other large trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2008 through December 2009 we treated 225 patients with ischemic stroke with IV thrombolysis. Retrospectively, we analyzed their clinical data upon admission, during their stay, and upon discharge with special reference to eligibility criteria for IV thrombolysis, symptomatic hemorrhage, and clinical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the patients was 74 years, with 34% being older than 80 years. The median time between stroke onset and initiation of treatment was 112 min. The initial median NIHSS was 11 points (Rankin score  ≥ 4 in 79% of patients). The rate of symptomatic hemorrhage was 3%. The median follow-up was 14 days. At the end of the observation period, clinical symptoms had improved in 73% of patients (Rankin score  ≤ 2 in 45% of patients). The mortality rate was 12%. In 55% of patients, IV thrombolysis was off label (age  > 80 years in 34% of patients).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical results of IV thrombolysis in our stroke center are similar to the outcome reported from the registration trials and larger clinical series although we treated off label in more than half of the patients. Even larger studies have since shown that the age limit under 80 years for patients is not reasonable. The eligibility criteria should be adapted to reality at this point.
authors: Neurologische Klinik, Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Posilipostr. 4, 71640, Ludwigsburg, Deutschland. georg.pawlik@kliniken-lb.de
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pawlik
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Wagner
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Schabet
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents