Abstract
Background:
Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was recognized and approved as the thrombolytic agent for acute ischemic stroke that can improve patients' outcome and resolve their neurological deficits. The main reason for the difficulty of stroke treatment is the narrow time window. The cost-effectiveness and feasibility of intravenous t-PA for treatment of acute stroke in 3 - 4.5 hour time window, after symptom onset, have been confirmed in previous studies.
Aim: To determine the role of emergency tissue plasminogen activator in ischemic stroke. Also, to study its risk factors, complications, regulatory approvals and its efficiency with time.
Methods: The data were obtained after searching the available studies published in English language using several key words (tissue plasminogen activator, ischemic stroke, efficiency and role) on the scientific websites as Pubmed, ResearchGate, and Google scholar.
Results: This study included 27 randomized and non randomized trials as well as systemic reviews. The data were extracted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the time of treatment, the dosage, follow up and the history of the patients. The included articles were published between the years 2000 to 2018.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the administration of intravenous rt-PA among stroke patients could reduce the unfavorable outcome and increase the quality of life as well the neurological activity. After acute ischemic stroke, the guidelines suggest using rt-PA within 3 - 4.5 h after the initiation of the stroke to achieve the best outcomes and decrease the risk of hemorrhage.