26 Aug Stroke: Ultra-Early Thrombolysis Therapy

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Daniel Strbian, MD, PhD, MSc (Stroke Med), FESO
Associate Professor
Department of Neurology
Helsinki University Central Hospital
PL 340, 00290 HUS

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Strbian: That providing early treatment is not enough, we have to be ultra-early.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Strbian: In a single center study, we showed, in addition to better outcome, also lower mortality to be associated with ultra-early treatment. This was not confirmed in the current multicenter study.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Strbian: That after recognition of the symptoms, we have to do act fast and do as much as possible during patient transport to the hospital, and as little as possible after patient’s admission, meaning that only necessary actions shall be done before administering the clot-busting therapy.

MedicalResearch.com What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Strbian: We launched a global project to decrease door-to-needle time (SITS-WATCH), which is described at “clinicaltrials.gov”. Also, pre-hospital delays shall be minimized, and we have to increase public awareness of stroke symptoms vie media, people shall memorize “FAST” approach (Face, Arm, Speech, Time).

Citation:

Ultra-Early Intravenous Stroke Thrombolysis: Do All Patients Benefit Similarly?

Daniel Strbian, Peter Ringleb, Patrik Michel, Lorenz Breuer, Jyrki Ollikainen, Kei Murao, David J. Seiffge, Simon Jung, Victor Obach, Bruno Weder, Ashraf Eskandari, Henrik Gensicke, Angel Chamorro, Heinrich P. Mattle, Stefan Engelter, Didier Leys, Heikki Numminen, Martin Köhrmann, Werner Hacke, and Turgut Tatlisumak

Stroke. 2013;STROKEAHA.111.000819
published online before print August 22 2013, doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.000819

Last Updated on February 18, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD