Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Use for Ischemic Stroke in the United States

Background and Purpose— Recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In 2004, 1.8% to 2.1% of AIS patients in the United States received rtPA. Given incentives from regulatory agencies and payors to increase rtPA use, we hypothesized that rtPA use in the United States would increase from 2005 to 2009. Methods— AIS cases were defined by exclusion of hemorrhagic stroke and...