UCHealth offers new, more effective medication treatment for stroke patients

Mar. 21—During a stroke, every minute counts.

A new medication that is faster and easier to administer for patients experiencing an acute ischemic stroke is now available at UCHealth hospitals across the state.

Tenecteplase, a new clot-busting medication, is a lifesaving advancement in treating ischemic strokes — a medical emergency in which the blood supply to a portion of the brain is blocked, according to a UCHealth news release. For nearly three decades, Alteplase has been the standard treatment for stokes because, like Tenecteplase, it breaks up clots and restores the blood flow in the brain.

However, Tenecteplase is easier to administer — a single, immediate IV push that takes just five seconds, according to Dr. Sharon Poisson, a neurohospitalist and medical co-director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

"In stroke care, time is of the essence," Poisson said. "The faster we can administer a clot-busting drug to a patient, the better the chances are for a positive outcome."

Poisson explained safety was also a consideration during the switch to Tenecteplase because Alteplase has a greater chance of error due to the complexity of administering the drug.

Alteplase requires more steps — an initial injection followed by continuous infusion for an hour — creating more opportunities for delays and errors, according to Poisson.

Tenecteplase is also a genetically modified version of Alteplase that allows the medication to be longer-acting, Poisson said. Prior to taking on the new medication, UCHealth, along with additional hospitals across the country, studied data for several years that show Tenecteplase is equally effective as Alteplase.

What to know about stokes

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the nation, according to the American Stroke Association. Long-term disabilities can be caused by strokes, including deficits such as the inability to people, immobility and language impairment, the release said.

Dr. Janice Miller, a neurologist and the stroke medical director for UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central said it's important to call 911 immediately once the first sign of a stroke appears. Medication treatments are very effective if administered soon after symptoms begin.

"Medications to treat ischemic strokes must be given within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms," Miller said. "Unfortunately, too many patients are waiting too long to get help and are thus not eligible for such lifesaving and disability-preventing medications."

Symptoms are often sudden, meaning it's crucial to know the signs of a stroke, according to the release. The letters "BE FAST" can help people spot a stroke.

* B: Balance/difficulty standing or walking

* E: Sudden changes in eyesight, such as loss of vision or double vision

* F: Facial Drooping

* A: Arm Weakness

* S: Speech Difficulty

* T: Time to call 911

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