Therapeutic effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator on acute cerebral infarction at different times

BACKGROUND The study aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) on the onset of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) at different time points of the first 6 hours. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted in 74 patients who received rt-PA thrombolysis treatment within 4.5 hours after ACI and another 15 patients who received rt-PA thrombolysis treatment between 4.5-6 hours after ACI. RESULTS National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were statistically decreased in both groups (P>0.05) at 24 hours and 7 days after ACI. There was no significant difference in modified ranking scores and mortality at 90 days after the treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic effect and mortality of rt-PA treatment in patients with ACI between 4.5-6 hours after the onset of the disease were similar to those in patients who received rt-PA within 4.5 hours after the onset of this disease. Therefore, intravenous thrombolytic therapy for ACI within 4.5-6 hours after ACI was effective and safe.