Body temperature and outcome after stroke thrombolysis

Abstract

Aims - We studied whether baseline body temperature and temperature increases after stroke adversely affect outcome after thrombolysis with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA). Methods - The evolution of body temperature in the first 24 h after treatment with IV tPA was described by calculating the area under the curve of the temperature over time plot relative to temperature at admission (AUCBL) and relative to a standard value of 37°C (AUC37). Temperature parameters were related to functional outcome. Results - The median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 100 consecutive patients was 16 (interquartile range 11-21) and 34 patients had a favourable response..