Home>Patient Education In acute ischemic stroke An educated patient is a prepared patient There are 2 sides to patient education regarding treatment for acute ischemic stroke: Before a stroke, education will empower more people to recognize symptoms fast and to get to a hospital within 3 hours of symptom onset so they have a treatment option After a stroke, education will help patients and their families make a quick, yet informed, decision with the guidance of their doctor about whether they want treatment with Activase (t-PA) Patient counseling after acute ischemic stroke can expand to family members. Particularly if a patient cannot fully understand or communicate, relatives will need to understand what has happened to the brain during a stroke so they can help decide on treatment options. See patient counseling tools, which includes information on patient "access to care" with Activase (t-PA) See online resources

Indication: Activase is indicated for the management of acute ischemic stroke in adults for improving neurological recovery and reducing the incidence of disability. Treatment should only be initiated within 3 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms, and after exclusion of intracranial hemorrhage by a cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan or other diagnostic imaging method sensitive for the presence of hemorrhage (see CONTRAINDICATIONS in the full prescribing information).

Safety Information: All thrombolytic agents increase the risk of bleeding, including intracranial bleeding, and should be used only in appropriate patients. Not all patients with acute ischemic stroke will be eligible for Activase therapy, including patients with evidence of recent or active bleeding; recent (within 3 months) intracranial or intraspinal surgery, serious head trauma, or previous stroke; uncontrolled high blood pressure; or impaired blood clotting.