"stroke patients receiving clotbusting medications before arriving at the hospital have a lower risk for disability afterward according to research presented at the American Stroke Associations International Stroke Conference . Researchers analyzed results from  stroke patients who were treated with tPA  a drug that dissolves blood clots. About half of the participants received the clotbusting drug at the hospital and half received it while still in the ambulance. This preliminary study showed that three months after stroke  out of every  patients treated before arriving at hospital were less disabled including  patients who had zero disability compared to people who received treatment after reaching the hospital. Time is brain in acute stroke after vascular collaterals fail and faster treatment yields better outcomes said May Nour M.D. Ph.D. lead researcher interventional neurologist and director of UCLAs Mobile Stroke Rescue Program. Our study shows prehospital clotbusting is a promising evolving approach to providing tPA stroke therapy. Its better outcomes could offset the increased costs of a mobile stroke unit. Past research showed the sooner that a clotbusting tPA drug is given after an ischemic stroke  one in which a clot is blocking blood flow  the better patients fare. But tPA is not indicated and could hurt a patients chances if they are having a hemorrhagic stroke in which a blood vessel ruptures. That is why patients need a CT scan to confirm the type of stroke before receiving tPA. Every second counts in the current standard of care patients who experience strokelike symptoms and call  arriving to the hospital by ambulance are assessed by clinical examination and imaging CT or MRI scan in the Emergency Department. This takes a certain amount of time from the patients symptom onset which prompted the  call. In a mobile stroke unit a specialized ambulance is equipped with a CT scanner a paramedic a critical care nurse a CT technologist and a neurologist in person or by telemedicine. The ambulance arrives does the CT onsite gives the clotbusting drug if indicated and then transports the patient to the hospital. Nours team used data from Berlins PHANTOMS study which took place from  to  and included  participants median age  which were compared to  patients who received conventional care with inhospital clot busting. Researchers analyzed information about patients disabilities to determine how many needed to be treated in the mobile stroke unit to yield a greater benefit in disability outcomes when compared to patients who received tPA at the hospital. The findings bordered on statistical significance suggesting that future clinical trials with a greater number of patients are needed to show similar benefits. People should know the warning signs of stroke and call  as soon as they observe stroke signs said Nour. Treatment then needs to happen as quickly as possible and a mobile stroke unit may allow that to happen.  Coauthors include Sidney Starkman M.D. Latisha Sharma M.D. and Jeffrey Saver M.D. Author disclosures are on the abstract. The study was funded by the Arline and Henry Gluck Foundation. Additional Resources   Any available downloadable videoaudio interviews Broll animation graphics and images related to this news release are on the right column of the release link httpnewsroom.heart.orgnewsreceivingaclotbusterdrugbeforereachingthehospitalmayreducestrokedisabilitypreviewdebefcfabdc.   Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Toolkit   Video clips with researchersauthors of the studies will be added to the release link as available.   Follow news from ASA International Stroke Conference  via Twitter HeartNews httpstwitter.comHeartNews  Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals foundations and corporations including pharmaceutical device manufacturers and other companies also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http Note Actual presentation is  a.m. CT a.m. ET Thursday Feb.  ."