Present status of intravenous rt-PA therapy and regional difference in its availability in Japan

Abstract

Following approval of intravenous rt-PA therapy for cerebral infarction, Japan Stroke Society have held training classes resulting in total participants of more than 11000. The frequency of use of the drug is currently about 90 cases per year in 100,000 people aged 65 or older. The regional difference is considerable, still the frequency of drug use being fewer than 10cases in about 1/4 of total secondary medical care area of Japan.