title: Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Asia.
abstract: Data regarding thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Asia are scarce and only a small percentage of patients are thrombolysed. Clinical trials that led to the recommended dose of intravenously administered tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) included predominantly Caucasian patients. However, the single-arm case-controlled observational studies in Japanese patients suggested the clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose IV-tPA (0.6 mg/kg bodyweight; maximum 60 mg) comparable with standard dose (0.9 mg/kg bodyweight; maximum 90 mg). There has been no randomized clinical trial for determining the dose, efficacy or safety of IV-tPA in Asia. Accordingly, the dose of IV-tPA in Asia remains controversial. Reduced treatment cost, lower symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage risk and comparable efficacy encouraged many Asian centers to adopt low-dose or even variable-dose IV-tPA regimens. We present the current status of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in Asia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228. drvijay@singnet.com.sg
authors.forename: Vijay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Kay W P
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Narayanaswamy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Venketasubramanian
authors.forename: Hock L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Teoh
authors.forename: Bernard Pl
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator