Stroke Treatment with rtPA – Are There any Contraindications?

In the last two decades therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator has been proved the only treatment option in acute ischemic stroke. However, despite unequivocal evidence of patient's benefit from randomized trials and implementation of thrombolytic therapy in national and international guidelines, the transmission into clinical practice is poor. Only a minority of patients receive thrombolysis with severe consequences on public health and economic resources. Besides scientific uncertainties about indications and contraindications for rtPA treatment, educational and organizational conditions have to…