What is a Stroke?

A stroke is an injury to a part of the brain. It happens when something goes wrong with the blood flow to the brain. Blood vessels, called arteries, carry blood and nutrients through the body. One way the brain may be injured is when an artery to the brain becomes blocked and the blood supply is cut off. Without a supply of blood, the brain does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Permanent damage will result if the blood supply is cut off for more than a few hours.

If you or your family member has suffered a stroke within the last two hours, you may be offered a treatment called TPA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator).

What is TPA?

TPA is a thrombolytic or a “Clot Buster” drug. This clot buster is used to break-up the clot that is causing a blockage or disruption in the flow of blood to the brain and helps restore the blood flow to the area of the brain. It is given by intravenous (IV), not by mouth.

What tests are required?

In order to determine whether you or your family member can be offered TPA, a CAT scan (an x-ray) of the brain will be done as quickly as possible. This is to find out if the stroke is the type that might be helped by TPA. If bleeding into the brain has caused the stroke, TPA can increase the bleeding into the brain. If this is the case, you will not be able to receive TPA. A blood test will also be taken to check that you do not have a bleeding condition.

If the CAT scan shows no bleeding in the brain then we can use the clot-dissolving drug TPA as long as certain conditions are met. The doctor will go over this with you.

What are the benefits of TPA?

Treatment with TPA results in 1 out of every 8 patients treated being cured. Additionally, there may be an improvement in recovery for those that are not completely cured. TPA must be given within three hours of the onset of the stroke to have this benefit.

What are the risks of TPA?

TPA treatment has risks. There is a 4.6% chance of bleeding (hemorrhage) into the brain (because TPA thins the blood) compared to 0.6% if TPA is not given.

If bleeding into the brain happens after TPA is given, it may cause your stroke symptoms to be worse and may result in death. However, the death rate is the same with or without TPA and there is still a greater chance of recovery with TPA treatment. TPA may also cause bleeding in other areas of the body.

The best chance of a full recovery from a stroke caused by a blocked artery is with the use of TPA. If you choose not to have TPA treatment your care will not be affected. You will receive the usual treatment for stroke. This will be explained to you by your physician.

If you have any questions about TPA or other treatment for stroke, please talk to your physician or any member of your health care team.

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