Inclusion Criteria: need an answer
Yes to all questions
- > or = 18 years of age
- Clinical diagnosis of stroke with NIH stroke scale score < 22
- Time of onset of stroke known and is < 3 hours (defined as completely free of any
stroke symptom)
To be eligible for TPA: need answer YES to all questions
- BP Systolic <= 185, diastolic <= 110
- Not a minor stroke or rapidly resolving stroke
- No seizure at onset of stroke
- Not taking Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Pro time <= 15 seconds or INR <= 1.7
- Not receiving heparin during the past 48 hours with elevated PTT
- Platelet count >= 100,000
- Blood Glucose => 50 and <= 400 mg/dl
- No acute myocardial infarction
- No prior intracranial hemorrhage, neoplasm, AVM or aneurysm
- No major surgical procedures within 14 days
- No stroke or serious head injury within 3 months
- No gastrointestinal or urinary bleeding within last 21 days
- No lactation or Pregnancy within 30 days
Consent from patient or family
Patient or family is aware of
- Risk of bleeding into the brain is 1 in 16
- Potential benefit: 30% greater chance of improvement to no or minimal disability
- Patient or family sign consent form
For a copy of sample admission orders for acute stroke patient given TPA, click here Sample TPA orders.
