Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in a pregnant woman with cardioembolic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Historically, the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis in pregnancy has been regarded as relatively contraindicated. Underlying this stance has been the concern over the risk of bleeding complications in both mother and child. SUMMARY OF CASE: We report the successful use of intravenous recombinant tPA (rtPA) thrombolysis in a pregnant woman with acute cardioembolic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The patient improved clinically, did not develop complications after receiving rtPA, and at 37 weeks' gestation, delivered a healthy infant, demonstrating that rtPA thrombolysis may be used safely in pregnant women.