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Snake Venom Holds Promise For Stroke Victims

Wed, 05/10/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that snake venom may provide an antidote for acute ischemic stroke. Researchers warned that the timing of the administration of the venom was critical. As with intravenous tPA, the treatment must be used within a narrow window of time following the stroke. If used too late, it is not only ineffective, it may be lethal. In an editorial, JAMA editors expressed caution about this treatment, but also indicated their belief that the research findings are too important to ignore.

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that snake venom may provide an antidote for acute ischemic stroke. Researchers warned that the timing of the administration of the venom was critical. As with intravenous tPA, the treatment must be used within a narrow window of time following the stroke. If used too late, it is not only ineffective, it may be lethal. In an editorial, JAMA editors expressed caution about this treatment, but also indicated their belief that the research findings are too important to ignore.