Authoritative information on optimizing stroke therapy
Comprehensive clinical stroke slide kit
This newly updated stroke slide kit addresses acute ischemic stroke, the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. It also discusses Activase (Alteplase), a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), and the only FDA-approved treatment for stroke.
The use of Activase (t-PA) in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke is covered in the context of guidelines issued by the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
Additionally, the slide kit contains information on stroke treatment recommendations made by the Brain Attack Coalition, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and other organizations. These recommendations are designed to improve patient outcomes by facilitating rapid diagnosis and preventing delays in treatment.
Objective of the clinical stroke slide kit
The overall objective of the presentation is to:
- Provide an overview of acute ischemic stroke, including epidemiology, evaluation and diagnosis, and treatment strategies
More specifically, the clinical stroke slide kit:
- Reviews stroke epidemiologic data and basic brain anatomy
- Describes diagnosis and evaluation of acute ischemic stroke, including:
- – Utilization of such well-known stroke assessment scales as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale
- – Use of advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans
- Discusses guidelines for treating acute ischemic stroke
- Demonstrates the clinical evidence of thrombolytic efficacy and safety with Activase (t-PA), including findings from the pivotal National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) clinical trials and several postapproval studies
- Highlights strategies for improving the outcomes of lytic-treated stroke patients, including:
- – Protocol adherence
- – Patient selection
- – Coordinated stroke care and system organization
- Presents the proper dosing, reconstitution, and administration of Activase (t-PA)

