Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients Aged 80 Years and Older

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administered within 3 hours of symptom onset is the first available effective therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Few data exist, however, on its use in very elderly patients. We examined the characteristics, complications, and short-term outcome of AIS patients aged >/=80 years treated with tPA. METHODS: Patients aged >/=80 years (n=30) were compared with counterparts aged /=80 years was identified.