Thrombolysis is effective in patients aged 40 to 90 years and should not be restricted in elderly patients, according to a study published on bmj.com. A team of researchers across Europe assessed the effect of age on response to thrombolysis in over 29,000 patients.
Patients who underwent thrombolysis had significantly better outcomes than untreated patients, irrespective of age. Although increasing age was associated with poorer outcomes, the researchers found significant benefits of thrombolysis in patients aged 40 to 90 years. Patients aged over 80 derived similar benefit from treatment as younger patients. The authors concluded that treatment guidelines should be revised. Age alone should not be a barrier to treatment.
