First 60 minutes of Ischemic Stroke is Crucial, IV Clot-Busting Drug is Best Intervention

Filed in archive Treatment on April 20, 2007

As stated in the American Heart Association/american stroke association guidelines published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, intravenous (IV) delivery of an approved clot-busting drug is still the most beneficial proven intervention for ischemic stroke.

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, caused by a clot that blocks blood flow in an artery to the brain.

While new options like intra-arterial administration of clot-busting drugs and mechanical removal of blood clots show promise, IV delivery of anti-blood clotting drugs is still the best way of intervention because the first hours of an ischemic stroke is the most crucial.

According to Harold P. Adams, Jr., M.D., chairman of the writing group:

"We are pushing for the fastest possible treatment because 'time is brain.'

For every minute that goes by, the likelihood of a poorer outcome increases."

In lieu of the updated AHA/ASA guideline, hospitals should develop emergency stroke protocols so patients can be assessed and treated within 60 minutes of arrival in an emergency treatment center.

Find more details from the full report.