Combination of thrombolytics and remote ischemic conditioning may improve stroke recovery

A group of researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Shaanxi, China) has identified that patients taking the thrombolytic drug tissue plasminogen activator following a stroke have a more favorable recovery when they receive remote ischemic conditioning. The paper, published in Neurology, suggests that remote ischemic conditioning could be a valuable add-on therapy for individuals recovering from ischemic stroke. Remote ischemic conditioning can be achieved by using a blood pressure cuff to repeatedly stop and restore blood flow. Previous studies have demonstrated that it can activate the body's natural ability to protect against tissue damage. “By restricting...