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For patients with stroke of recent onset or progression of stroke symptoms and no occlusion of large or medium-sized cerebral vessels, intravenous tirofiban is associated with an increased likelihood of an excellent outcome, according to a study. Wenjie Zi, M.D. and colleagues conducted a multicenter trial involving patients with ischemic stroke without occlusion of large or medium-sized vessels, a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 5 or greater, and at least one moderately to severely weak limb. Eligible patients were ineligible for thrombolysis or thrombectomy and within 24 hours of stroke; had progression of stroke symptoms soon after...

A study reports that the additive neuroprotection of a combination of two omega-3 fatty acid-derived signaling molecules is more effective in protecting brain cells and increasing recovery from stroke in an experimental model than a single drug. The team examined the bioactivity of Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1—discovered by the Bazan lab in 2003) combined with Resolvin D1 (RvD1) in experimental stroke. These two naturally occurring neuroprotective molecules in the brain derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) called docosanoids have been shown to limit excessive inflammatory responses, regulate metabolism and immune cell functions, decrease the production of proinflammatory factors,...

A newer-generation clot-busting drug called tenecteplase outperforms the traditional treatment for ischemic strokes in several key areas, including better health outcomes and lower costs, according to a study. Both tenecteplase and alteplase are federally approved for use in dissolving clots in blocked heart arteries. But the newer drug tenecteplase is also being used by clinicians, off-label, to treat ischemic strokes, because clinical trials in stroke suggest that it may be at least as good as alteplase and it is easier to administer. Tenecteplase is administered by a single five- to 10-second intravenous injection. The researchers compared its performance with the...

In the largest clinical stroke trial ever run in Canada, researchers have shown Tenecteplase (TNK), a safe, well tolerated drug, commonly used as a clot buster for heart attacks, is an effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke. "It is truly an important finding that I share with my colleagues from coast to coast. Through this collaboration these findings could revolutionize stroke treatment throughout the world," says Dr. Bijoy Menon, MD. "Tenecteplase is known to be an effective clot dissolving drug. It is very easy to administer which makes it a game changer when seconds count to save brain cells," Based...

People who suffer from ischaemic strokes with no previously diagnosed risk factors have been found to have underlying conditions in the majority of cases, a new study presented today has shown. Overall, the study identified 67.7% of stroke patients with previously undiagnosed major risk factors (UMRF) were found to have one major risk factor. The most common detected vascular risk factor was dyslipidaemia, an imbalance of blood fats such as high cholesterol or raised levels of triglycerides (61.4% of patients). The second most common risk factor was high blood pressure (23.7% of patients), and one in 10 (10.2% of patients)...

If you're taking a daily aspirin for your heart, you may want to reconsider. For years, many middle-aged people have taken the drug in hopes of reducing the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Americans bought more than 44 million packages of low-dose aspirin marketed for heart protection in the year ended September, up about 12% from 2005, according to research firm IMS Health. Now, medical experts say some people who are taking aspirin on a regular basis should think about stopping. Public-health officials are scaling back official recommendations for the painkiller to target a narrower group of patients...

AP MEDICAL WRITER KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Like pouring Drano directly on a clog, doctors dramatically improved stroke survival by dripping a clot-dissolving drug right onto a blockage choking off the brain's blood supply. Many patients given this experimental treatment had stunning recoveries within a day, often without the speech loss and paralysis that can follow a stroke, doctors reported Thursday. A second study found that people given the treatment were 65 percent more likely to be able to walk, talk and function normally three months after their strokes than those given standard care. "We're very encouraged by these results," said...