Challenges of Thrombolysis in a Developing Country: Characteristics and Outcomes in Peru

Background: The availability of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) remains limited worldwide, especially in low-income countries, where the burden of disability due to ischemic stroke is the highest. Aims: To evaluate outcomes and safety of IV-tPA at the only Peruvian reference institute for neurologic diseases. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study of stroke patients who received IV-tPA between 2009 and 2016. We assessed characteristics associated with good outcome (modified Rankine scale 0-2) at 3 months using a multivariate regression model; and factors correlated with clinical improvement (delta National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)) using linear regression.

Source: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases - April 15, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Carlos Abanto, Ana Valencia, Pilar Calle, Danny Barrientos, N éstor Flores, María Novoa, Rosa L. Ecos, Jorge Alonso Ramirez, Angela K. Ulrich, Joseph R. Zunt, David L. Tirschwell, Sarah Wahlster Source Type: research