BRACKNELL, UK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Indication
Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Product
Actilyse (alteplase, rt-PA)
NICE has issued final guidance on the use of alteplase (Actilyse) for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke[1], which recommends initiation of treatment within 4.5 hours of onset of ischaemic stroke symptoms. This will give more patients access to thrombolytic therapy, though it remains crucial that doctors treat stroke patients as early as possible.
This recommendation comes as the result of a review of existing NICE guidance for Actilyse in stroke,
prompted by an extension to the marketing authorisation which allows the initiation of Actilyse from 3 to 4.5 hours from the onset of ischaemic stroke symptoms.
The NICE Appraisal Committee concluded that Actilyse administered between 0 and 4.5 hours after onset of stroke symptoms was a cost-effective treatment for acute ischaemic stroke as it decreases the probability of disability, death or dependence. Data suggests that extension of the licence has the potential to make alteplase treatment available to between 2-4.7% more people who suffer an acute ischaemic stroke[2, 3].
The recommendation made by NICE that treatment should be started as early as possible within 4.5 hours of onset of stroke symptoms is vitally important. An extended treatment window from 3 to 4.5 hours allows a greater number of eligible patients to be safely and effectively thrombolysed, but it is crucial to keep in mind that the Actilyse licence extension provides more time for patients, not for clinicians; it remains necessary that patients eligible for thrombolysis are treated without delay to maximise effectiveness.
Read more from the original source:
NICE recommends treatment with alteplase is started as early as possible, within 4.5 hours of onset of ischaemic ...