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The medication is already FDA-approved to dissolve clots that block blood flow to the brain, heart and lungs. Patients who have been ventilated more than 10 days are excluded. A control group will not get tPA but will receive standard treatment for ARDS. Happens when a clot blocks a vessel supplying blood to the brain. It's the most common type, accounting for 87% of all strokes. The treatment goal is to bust or remove the clot. This study will test the effectiveness of low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA, or alteplase) in dissolving blood clots in deep leg veins. Alteplase is used to clear blood clots in coronary arteries in patients having heart attacks.

New Patient Appointment or214-645-8300

New Patient Appointment or214-645-8300

Strokespecialists at UT Southwestern Medical Center are experts at knowing when andhow to use the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to treatpatients who are experiencing a stroke. Our stroke team is available around theclock to administer tPA to patients who need it.

Tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, is the only FDA-approved treatment for ischemic or thrombotic stroke, which is stroke caused by a blood clot interrupting blood flow to a region of the brain. 1  Chris Ryan / Getty Images It has also been used in treatment for pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction. TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is known as the “clot-busting” drug. As the name suggests, when used effectively, tPA is able to dissolve a blood clot that may be causing a stroke. Having a stroke due to a clot, or blockage in a vessel carrying blood to the brain, is the most common type of stroke.

Researchersat UT Southwestern helped refine the usage of tPA when it was being tested inthe 1980s. Now, as the only Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in NorthTexas, we have perfected use of this drug, on its own or combined withendovascular rescue therapy, to remove stroke-causing blood clots.

If you or a loved oneis experiencing signs of a stroke, it is a medical emergency. Call 911 and goto the nearest stroke center in an ambulance.

Expert Application of Lifesaving Therapy

Tissueplasminogen activator (tPA) is an intravenous medicine given for ischemic stroke – a stroke caused bya blood clot – that can dissolve the stroke-causing clot. Studies show thatpeople who receive tPA within 3 hours – up to 4.5 hours in some patients – havebetter and more complete recoveries.

tPA isthe only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acuteischemic stroke. Administering it quickly is critical because when brain cellsdon’t receive blood they die, affecting brain function. In some patients, tPAcan restore blood flow to the brain within just a few minutes.

As theonly Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in North Texas – and one of only twoin the state – UT Southwestern is recognized for our exceptional level ofexpertise in rapidly diagnosing strokes and providing effective treatments basedon the latest research and the highest standards of care.

Treatment With Tissue PlasminogenActivator (tPA)

Mosthospitals can apply tPA to break down the blood clot that’s causing theischemic stroke if the patient qualifies and is within the three-hour windowsince symptoms began.

The drug canbe administered intravenously (IV tPA) or directly to the site of the blockagein the brain through a catheter inserted via the groin. This intra-arterialapproach is especially beneficial for patients who have recently had surgery,are on blood thinners, or might have missed the critical three-hour window.

Patientswho are given tPA at a local hospital might be transferred to a higher-levelstroke center such as UT Southwestern for further treatment and rehabilitation.

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Tpa Clot Buster Medication

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Neurology Clinic - Cerebrovascular Diseases & Stroke

at James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center 5303 Harry Hines Blvd., 4th Floor, Suite 108
Dallas, Texas 75390 214-645-8800

Tpa Clot Buster Medication