iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A team of Chinese researchers from Zhejiang University has found that alteplase, a clot-dissolving medication, can significantly improve recovery for stroke patients, potentially increasing recovery by over 50%.
This breakthrough was presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025 in Los Angeles.
Traditionally, the “golden hour” for treating strokes — when treatment is most effective — has been within the first 60 minutes of symptoms. Until now, the window for administering effective treatments like alteplase was limited to 4.5 hours for certain patients.
However, the new research suggests that alteplase can be effective up to 24 hours after the onset of an ischemic stroke, offering new hope for patients who might not be able to access treatment within the first few hours.
The study involved 372 stroke patients whose symptoms had started between 4.5 and 24 hours prior. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one group received alteplase, while the other received standard care, including antiplatelet therapy. The results were striking: 40% of patients treated with alteplase showed little to no disability after 90 days, compared to only 26% of those receiving standard care. This indicates a 54% greater chance of functional recovery with alteplase.
However, there was a higher risk of brain bleeding in the alteplase group—3.8% compared to 0.5% in the standard care group. Despite this increased risk, the researchers believe it is manageable and outweighed by the treatment’s benefits.
Professor Min Lou, one of the researchers, emphasized the need for further studies to assess the safety and efficacy of alteplase across different populations, especially in regions with varying healthcare resources and stroke risks.
This research offers significant promise for improving stroke outcomes globally, especially for those who may miss the traditional treatment window. However, more research is needed to fully understand the broader implications of alteplase treatment.
