Abstract
Treatment of acute cerebral infarction has come to be considered as a brain attack with the development of rt-PA. However, the use of rt-PA for cerebral infarction is not permitted in Japan. The number of stroke patients who could be treated with rt-PA is estimated at 10,000 per year. The results of our JSSR (Japan Standard Stroke Resistry) study suggest that intra-arterial therapy with rt-PA/UK is more effective than conventional therapy in moderate to severe patients. The time limit for rt-PA should be more flexible in advanced strokes, especially basilar artery thrombosis. When rt-PA is permitted as a treatment of acute cerebral infarction, combined therapy with free radical scavenger should be useful.
