Door-to-needle times in acute ischemic stroke

IV human recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the best proven and most effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The benefits of rt-PA are highly dependent on the time elapsed since stroke symptoms.1 Accordingly, the Brain Attack Coalition recommends that the time from emergency room arrival to initiation of rt-PA (that is, the “door-to-needle” time) should be 60 minutes or less.2 Are …

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