Window of Opportunity for Stroke Treatment Widens

A stroke is defined as a rapidly developing loss of brain functions, due to a disturbance of the blood supply to the brain (i.e. a clot lodged in the brain). This can lead to the loss of mobility of the limbs, inability to form speech, and even death if the clot is not tended to quickly.
There are currently clot-dissolving drugs that may be used up until 3 hours after the onset of a stroke. After this much time has passed, it is unsafe (as well as too late) to deliver the drug to the patient, because of the risk of causing internal bleeding. A new study of the drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) extends the time a patient may be given the drug up to 90 minutes (i.e. 4 and 1/2 hours after the initial onset of the stroke). Researchers believe that this extra time could benefit thousands of stroke victims by preventing further brain damage, and ultimately avoiding many disabilities the stroke could cause.
Another study was later done in which half of the patients received tPA and half took placebos. After 3 months, 52% of people infused with the tPA (during the extra 90 minute time span) were healthy, as compared to 45% who were treated with the placebo. The number of patients that suffered from brain bleeding during the study was about equal to that in which the tPA had been given within the normal 3 hour time span of previous studies.
From the results, it is clearly seen that the new time-extended tPA drug has definite benefits over the placebo and previously used clot-dissolving drugs. Now the problem is making sure that every hospital is equipped with a doctor that is able to administer the drug effectively.
Because strokes statistically affect more adults that any other ailment, scientific research and advancements on the subject have the potential to prevent so many disabilities, and to ultimately save thousands of lives.

http://sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/36812/title/Window_of_opportunity_for_stroke_treatment_widens