ABSTRACT

The aim of thrombolytic treatment is to save penumbra by recanalization in acute ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to review the efficacy and complications of intravenous thrombolytic treatment in our patients with acute ischemic stroke.

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical data of 32 patients with ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolytic treatment within 4.5 hours. The neurological deficits were graded using The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scala (mRS) before and after the treatment.

The mean scores of NIHSS before the treatment and 24 hours, 7 days and 3 months after the treatment were 15±6 (4-32), 10±6 (0-21), 8±6 (0-19) and 8±7 (0-30), respectively. The mean scores of mRS 24 hours and 3 months after the treatment were 4±1 (2-5) and 3±2 (0-5), respectively. NIHSS scores showed significant recovery after treatment (p=0.001). Five patients (15.6%) had intracranial hemorrhage, but only one patient (3.1%) had fatal hemorrhage.

Intravenous thrombolytic therapy is a reliable and feasible treatment in selected patients who have acute ischemic stroke in the last 4.5 hours. Stroke is a public health concern and this treatment increases the number of indepented patients.

Keywords: Ischemic stroke, intravenous thrombolytic therapy, NIHSS, mRS