Editor's Choice Main Category: Stroke Article Date: 24 May 2012 - 15:00 PDT
Current ratings for: 'Is Alteplase Safe For Stroke Patients Over 80? Researchers Say Yes'
Although the drug can be used in several conditions including ischemic stroke, heart attacks and pulmonary embolism, the time window in which the drug can be administered safely and effectively after a stroke is still debated.
Two studies published in The Lancet reveal the benefits of alteplase in stroke patients age 80+ and also confirm the benefits of rapid treatment.
The first study reports the results of the third International Stroke Trial (IST-3). In the trial, Professor Peter Sandercock, University of Edinburgh and Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK, evaluated 3,035 patients at 156 hospitals in 12 countries in order to determine whether stroke patients treated within 6 hours in clinical trials might benefit (ie, be alive and independent in daily living). 53% of study participants were older than 80 years of age.
At present, thrombolysis is known to benefit individuals under the age of 80 who are treated within 4-5 hours of acute ischemic stroke.
The researchers assigned 1,515 participants to receive alteplase and 1,520 to the control group.
At 6 months, the researchers found that 554 (37%) of participants in the alteplase group were alive and were able to live independently, compared with 534 (35%) in the control group.
According to the researchers, for every 1,000 patients treated within 6 hours of onset, 14 more patients were alive and independent. In addition, the team found that patients treated with alteplase were 27% more likely to survive with less disability.
80% of patients treated within three hours were aged over 80 years and according to the results the benefit of alteplase was significantly greater; for every 1,000 patients treated, at six months 80 more patients were alive and living independently.
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Is Alteplase Safe For Stroke Patients Over 80? Researchers Say Yes