Comprehensive Stroke Program tPA data

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a clot-dissolving drug (thrombolytic agent). Most strokes are caused by blood clots; therefore, when patients are given tPA they have a higher rate of survival and full-functional recovery. And tPA is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the urgent treatment of ischemic stroke.

On a national average, only 3 - 8 % of ischemic stroke patients receive tPA (Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry). At California Pacific Medical Center an average of 24% of our ischemic stroke patients receive tPA clot-busting medication.



Chart above: CPMC tPA Treatment Rate: July 2006 - June 2008
CPMC treats ischemic stroke patients with tPA clot-busting medication at many times the national average of ≤ 3-5%. For example, in 2007, CPMC treated 25% of its ischemic stroke patients with tPA. From July 2006 from to June 2008, CPMC treated 91 out of 376 (24%) ischemic stroke patients with tPA.
First Bar=Q3 2006: 30%
Second Bar=Q4 2006: 19%
Third Bar=Q1 2007: 21%
Fourth Bar=Q2 2007: 26%
Fifth Bar=Q3 2007: 28%
Sixth Bar=Q4 2007: 26%
Seventh Bar=Q1 2008: 23%
Eighth Bar=Q2 2008: 23%