Time is brain (intravenous thrombolysis in ischemic stroke)

  Stroke is the leading cause of death or disability in China, with 795,000 new cases of acute ischemic stroke in the United States and 2.7 million new cases in China each year, of which acute large vessel occlusion accounts for 1/3 to 1/2 of acute ischemic stroke.  One of the most effective treatments is intravenous thrombolysis, which has the potential to recanalize or partially recanalize the blocked vessels, enabling partial improvement or complete restoration of paralyzed limb function, and the effectiveness and safety of intravenous thrombolytic therapy has been confirmed by several large clinical trials. Moreover, early recanalization has a better prognosis than late recanalization, i.e., the earlier the effect of intravenous thrombolysis and the less risk of bleeding, therefore, time is brain, and patients with symptoms of stroke should go to a nearby hospital with intravenous thrombolysis as soon as possible.  So far, both domestic and international guidelines recommend intravenous thrombolysis with tissue-type fibrinogen activator (IV-tPA) within 4.5 hours of onset as the preferred treatment for acute ischemic stroke, in addition, our guidelines also recommend intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase within 4.5-6 hours. Therefore, acute stroke patients are advised to go to hospital as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms without delay. Missing intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment may leave serious sequelae and affect the quality of life in the future.