Is intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) safe for use in patients over 80 years old with acute ischaemic stroke? - The Calgary experience.

Background: Acute ischaemic stroke is common in older people. There is one licensed acute treatment, intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, but little information is available on its safety in over 80 year olds.

Design: Review of prospectively collected data on 62 consecutive patients, aged 80 years and over, treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in a tertiary centre.