What is the effect of intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in patients with mild stroke?
A post hoc analysis of the Third International Stroke Trial (IST-3) showed that intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the outcomes of patients with mild stroke. Additionally, results from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) rtPA Stroke Study, reanalysis of the NINDS trial, ECASS III, SITS-ISTR, and the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Registry showed that rtPA administered within 3-4.5 hours of stroke symptom onset improved outcomes, including functional independence, in patients with mild stroke.