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The investigational drug, Desmoteplace, was first discovered in vampire bat saliva. When a vampire bat bites its victim, it secretes a clot-dissolving substance that allows the bat to continue feeding. Researchers have been able to reproduce this protein and are trying to use it to dissolve clots that lead to stroke. Previous studies using Desmoteplase in stroke patients have been encouraging and were reported in the January 2005 edition of the journal Stroke.

Each year in the United States there are more than 700,000 strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country and stroke causes more serious long-term disabilities than any other disease.

"Stroke symptoms are sometimes difficult to identify and many patients do not seek immediate treatment," said Dr. Aris Chaconas, a neurologist and medical director of Presbyterian Hospital's Stroke Center. A stroke occurs when blood flow is blocked to a certain part of the brain. This can be due to a blockage by a clot or a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. Strokes caused by blocked arteries are known as ischemic strokes and account for about 70-80 percent of all strokes.

Some stroke warning signs are sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and sudden onset of headache with no known cause.

Present stroke treatment involves the use of a clot-dissolving drug called tissue plasminogen activator or tPA. However, the approved use of tPA is currently restricted to the administration of the drug within 3 hours of symptom onset. As a result, tPA can only be offered to a small percentage of stroke patients who arrive at the hospital. In fact, since its approval in the U.S., less than two percent of all stroke patients have received this thrombolytic therapy.

The Presbyterian Hospital Stroke Center is participating in this clinical trial to evaluate Desmoteplase administration between three to nine hours after the onset of stroke symptoms.

"If this drug proves useful in extending the time when treatment is effective, it will help us significantly expand the number of patients who may benefit from this restoration of blood flow and potentially have an improved quality of life following a potentially catastrophic event," said Dr. Chaconas.

"The key to stroke treatment is getting to the hospital quickly," said Tammy Bagyi, RN, the research coordinator for Presbyterians Stroke Center. "Stroke is a medical emergency and every second counts." Stroke victims transported to Presbyterians Emergency Department are evaluated immediately by Stroke Team members to assess the severity of the stroke. The most appropriate treatment options are then discussed with the patient and family members.