Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischaemic stroke: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA, alteplase) improved functional outcome in patients treated soon after acute ischaemic stroke in randomised trials, but licensing is restrictive and use varies widely. The IST-3 trial adds substantial new data. We therefore assessed all the evidence from randomised trials for rt-PA in acute ischaemic stroke in an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched for randomised trials of intravenous rt-PA versus control given within 6 h of onset of acute ischaemic stroke up to March 30, 2012. We estimated summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI in the primary analysis for prespecified outcomes within 7 days and at the final follow-up of all patients treated up to 6 h after stroke.

Findings

In up to

SUBMITTER: Wardlaw JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3386494 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature