Andrew Russman, DO: Advances in Thrombolytic Therapies to Treat Stroke

“Early administrations can be critically important. When we think about novel approaches to thrombolytics, the first thing we should look at is novel approaches that get the drug to patients faster and more effective.”

Administration of alteplase, an intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA), remains the gold-standard treatment for stroke however, the next generation of thrombolytic agents, including tenecteplase, present several advantages and benefits.

Andrew Russman, DO, medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Cleveland Clinic, stressed the importance administering these agents as early as possible, in turn maximizing the clinical benefits they provide. Through the use of mobile stroke units, patients can receive thrombolytic therapies and begin this process earlier compared to traditional treatment in an emergency department.

While data is still accumulating, trials have shown that there are still benefits to late window thrombolysis. In an interview with NeurologyLive, Russman detaild the benefits that thrombolytic therapy can have in both early and late treatment windows.