Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke After the 80 Years of Age

Authors

  • Carla Eira Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3007-7397
  • Ângela Mota Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
  • Rachel Silvério Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
  • Mafalda Miranda Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
  • Pedro Ribeiro Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
  • Ana Gomes Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
  • António Monteiro Serviço de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi/original/189/3/2018

Keywords:

Aged, 80 and over, Stroke, Thrombolytic Therapy, Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of stroke increases exponentially with age, representing the leading cause of death after the 80 years of age. Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) represents an advance in the treatment of ischemic stroke and its use in the elderly > 80 years old was a recent target of discussion.
Material and Methods: A retrospective study was performed in the 2010-2015 period that included patients >80 years old with ischemic stroke who underwent IV-rtPA. The study evaluated demographic and clinical variables, occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation and prognosis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.
Results: We included 45 patients, mean age 84.4 years old and female predominance (62.2%). The main risk factors were arterial hypertension (68.9%) and cardioembolism (62.2%). In most cases, IV-rtPA was performed until 3 hours (82.2%). hemorrhagic transformation occurred in 22.2%, with worse prognosis at 3 months (p = 0.000). Lower severity of stroke and length of hospital stay were associated with better prognosis at 3 months (p = 0.025 and p = 0.005, respectively).
Discussion: Some of these results are in agreement with data from other studies. The increase in age is associated with a worse prognosis. hemorrhagic transformation is one of IV-rtPA concerns. The incidence of arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation increases with age, both associated with an increased risk of stroke.
Conclusion: The safety of IV-rtPA has been demonstrated in several studies. Age should not be an exclusion criterion, since properly selected patients may benefit from such therapy.

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References

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Published

2022-04-01

How to Cite

1.
Eira C, Mota Ângela, Silvério R, Miranda M, Ribeiro P, Gomes A, Monteiro A. Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke After the 80 Years of Age. RPMI [Internet]. 2022 Apr. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 17];25(3):169-78. Available from: https://revista.spmi.pt/index.php/rpmi/article/view/471

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