Post-IV thrombolytic headache and hemorrhagic transformation risk in acute ischemic stroke.

Headache during or soon after administration of IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a concern for hemorrhagic transformation (HT). However, no data are available regarding the incidence of HT in these patients or the prognostic indication of these headaches. We examine the importance of tPA-associated headaches among AIS patients in terms of HT rates and clinical outcomes.