Final answer:
In a 62-year-old man with signs of a thrombotic stroke, administration of a thrombolytic agent within 3 hours is a key intervention to improve prognosis by dissolving the clot and restoring blood flow. A CT scan is essential to confirm the diagnosis and exclude hemorrhagic stroke before starting fibrinolytic therapy. Following confirmation, antiplatelet therapy may also be indicated to prevent further clot formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sudden experience of difficulty speaking and left-sided weakness in a 62-year-old man suggests a cerebrovascular event, such as a stroke. When a patient presents with symptoms indicative of a thrombotic stroke, immediate action is crucial for positive outcomes. The administration of a thrombolytic agent like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is recommended as a first intervention. This treatment must be given within a narrow window, ideally within 3 hours of symptom onset, to significantly improve the prognosis by facilitating the degradation of the abnormal clot that is obstructing cerebral blood flow.
To ensure that the correct treatment is provided, a CT scan of the brain is necessary to distinguish between a thrombotic stroke, caused by a clot, and a hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding. If a fibrinolytic agent is administered and the cause of the stroke is actually a hemorrhage, the patient's condition could worsen significantly. Once the diagnosis of a thrombotic stroke is confirmed, antiplatelet therapy may be considered to prevent further clot formation. Commonly used antiplatelet therapy includes clopidogrel plus aspirin, which is more effective than aspirin alone in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with an acute event such as a STEMI.