Question

A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency department. The patient is diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame?

Within 30 minutes of the patient's arrival
Within 1 hour of the patient's arrival
Within 2 hours of the patient's arrival
Within 3 hours of the patient's arrival

Answer 1

Fibrinolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke should be administered within 3 hours of the patient's arrival at the emergency department to improve the prognosis and minimize brain damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a patient diagnosed with an acute ischemic stroke and a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy, the best outcomes are usually achieved when this therapy is initiated within a specific time frame after symptom onset. The current guideline is that the administration of a thrombolytic agent such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is used to dissolve the clogging blood clot, should occur within 3 hours of the patient's arrival at the emergency department. This early intervention is crucial for improving the patient's prognosis by minimizing the risk of permanent brain damage.