Thrombolysis treatment information

The earlier the treatment is given, the better is the effect. Therefore, you have been received by several staff members, in order to take care of different things at the same time: We took blood samples, including blood glucose and cholesterol, the nurse helped you to change your clothes and measured blood pressure and blood oxygen, and the doctor examined you and noted down a short summary of your symptoms and former diseases.

Immediately afterwards, we performed a CT- or MRI-scan of the brain. The results of the scan showed that you would likely benefit from thrombolytic treatment.

During and after the treatment with thrombolysis, we monitor your blood pressure, heart rhythm and neurological symptoms. The most important complication after thrombolysis is cerebral haemorrhage (a bleeding in the brain), which occurs in 1% of all patients, typically during the first 24 hours. If you should develop symptoms that might indicate this complication, we will perform a new CT-scan immediately. Other complications of the treatment, like low blood pressure, swelling of the face and the mouth, or bleeding in other parts of the body, may occur. Usually, we can treat these complications easily, and they are therefore not serious or life threatening.

In the first hours after the treatment, some patients experience restlessness in the body, and an increased urge to pass water may occur. As your ability to swallow may be affected by the stroke, we will test your swallowing function before you are allowed to eat and to drink.
After a stroke, your walking ability may be affected as well, and the risk of bleeding would be high if you fell. Therefore, do not try to get up by yourself, but call a nurse if you want to get up during the first 24 hours.

Important note: Please tell us immediately in case you notice that your symptoms get worse!

Twenty-four hours after the treatment, a new CT-scan will be performed. Typically, we will start treatment with a blood thinner to prevent a new stroke. The doctor and the nurse will check on you again the day after this treatment, and the doctor will perform a neurological examination again. Afterwards, you will be informed about all test results. We recommend that your family or loved ones participate in this conversation.

Please note that there are several doctors working on the stroke unit, so you may meet different physicians during your stay. But every doctor will be well informed about your history throug our daily staff meetings and our documentation system.

You will be examined by both an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist within the first 24 hours. If possible, training by the therapist will already start at the stroke unit.

The day after the treatment, the doctor and nurse will follow up on how you are doing and make sure that all your questions are answered. The doctor will guide you on lifestyle recommendations to help avoid relapse and will inform you about blood pressure levels and cholesterol control.
It is very important that you share how you are feeling and how you experienced the treatment.

When you are hospitalized with a stroke, you will be examined by both an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist within the first 24 hours. If you need rehabilitation, it will begin in the emergency ward and continue either at home or at a rehabilitation ward in the Central Denmark Region. We will provide you with more information when it becomes relevant.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (Metalyse) is a treatment administered directly into a vein over a period of few seconds.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator is currently the only acute medical treatment for patients with stroke. Tissue Plasminogen Activator dissolves blood clots and prevents blood from clotting.

There is no guarantee that you will be completely healed after the treatment. Your symptoms will be lighter than they would have been without thrombolytic treatment.

The main risk of the treatment is bleeding.

A possible side effect of the treatment is bleeding, which can occur due to damage to blood vessels or mucous membranes. That is why doctors and nurses closely monitor you throughout the thrombolytic treatment. About six hours after the treatment, the active substance is excreted from the body, and the risk of bleeding becomes minimal. The staff will continue to observe you for the next 24 hours.