Intravenous Thrombolysis with rt-PA in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Aged Older than 80 Years in Italy

Abstract

Acute ischemic stroke patients aged >80 years treated with i.v. rt-PA have a higher mortality than younger patients, but there are no differences for SICH nor for favorable outcome. Our data suggest that thrombolytic therapy should not be a priori denied for appropriately selected >80-year-old patients but randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary before definite recommendations can be given.