Three months after stroke, 182 out of every 1,000 patients treated before arriving at hospital were less disabled. | File photo
+ Technology/Innovation
Gene Johnson | Mar 6, 2017

Early use of clot-busting drugs may reduce stroke disability

A  recent research study showed that stroke patients receiving clot-busting medications before arriving at the hospital have a lower risk for disability.

This preliminary study showed that three months after stroke, 182 out of every 1,000 patients treated before arriving at hospital were less disabled, including 58 patients who had zero disability, compared to people who received treatment after reaching the hospital.

“Time is brain in acute stroke after vascular collaterals fail, and faster treatment yields better outcomes,” Dr. May Nour, lead researcher and interventional neurologist and director of UCLA’s Mobile Stroke Rescue Program, said. “Our study shows pre-hospital clot-busting is a promising, evolving approach to providing tPA stroke therapy. Its better outcomes could offset the increased costs of a mobile stroke unit." 

The findings bordered on statistical significance, suggesting that clinical trials with a greater number of patients are needed to show similar benefits, officials said.

The findings were presented at the recent American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2017 held Feb. 23.

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