intravenous thrombolytic therapy

Last reviewed 01/2018

Four phase 3 trials of intravenous t-PA for ischaemic stroke have been reported. The FDA of North America approved this therapy on the basis of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Stroke Study (NINDS rt-PA Stroke Study). Other large trials have been less favourable including ECASS I, ECASS II and ATLANTIS.

Three trials of streptokinase have been initiated but halted because of excess mortality and poor outcome.