Reperfusion injury after focal cerebral ischemia: the role of inflammation and the therapeutic horizon
Abstract RECENT EVIDENCE INDICATES that thrombolysis may be an effective therapy for
the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, the reperfusion of ischemic brain comes
with a price. In clinical trials, patients treated with thrombolytic therapy have shown a 6% rate
of intracerebral hemorrhage, which was balanced against a 30% improvement in functional
outcome over controls. Destruction of the microvasculature and extension of the infarct area
occur after cerebral reperfusion. We have reviewed the existing data indicating that an …
the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, the reperfusion of ischemic brain comes
with a price. In clinical trials, patients treated with thrombolytic therapy have shown a 6% rate
of intracerebral hemorrhage, which was balanced against a 30% improvement in functional
outcome over controls. Destruction of the microvasculature and extension of the infarct area
occur after cerebral reperfusion. We have reviewed the existing data indicating that an …
