THROMBOLYSIS IN ISCHEMIC STROKE - EVALUATION OF OPERATIVE DIFFICULTIES

A few on-going international trials aim to investigate the effectivene ss of early fibrinolytic treatment for ischaemic stroke to assist cere bral reperfusion. This operative strategy depends on clinical paramete rs such as haemorrhagic lesions, coma, pre-existent impairment and dis ability, and the efficiency of the sanitary organization receiving the patients (availability of CT scan, hospitalization within 6 h of onse t of symptoms). We report data on the operative efficiency of a Region al Hospital Centre without a stroke unit: we observe that 142 patients did not receive early stroke treatment because of organizational prob lems whose prevalence exceeded the incidence of theoretical contraindi cations to fibrinolytic use. These elements suggest the necessity to o rganize a specific ward for the management of acute stroke.