Effect of Clot Stiffness on Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Lytic Susceptibility in Vitro.

The lytic recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating ischemic stroke. Less than 40% of patients with large vessel occlusions who are treated with rt-PA have improved blood flow. However, up to 6% of all patients receiving rt-PA develop intracerebral hemorrhage.