01.15.2022 - By Zack Olson, MD and Michael Estephan, MD
tPA usage is controversial. Listen to find out why. Read more to form your own opinions.
Episode Sources:
After Re-Analysis, No Trials Show Efficacy of tPA in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Clinical Policy: Use of Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator for the Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Emergency Department
Why we can’t trust clinical guidelines – BMJ
Alteplase for Stroke: Money and Optimistic Claims Buttress the “Brain Attack” Campaign
Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Net benefits and harms unclear due to uncertainty in data – the NNT