Thrombolytic therapy looks set to find a new niche as therapy for acute stroke as a recent trial confirms the value of using IV alteplase [t-PA; tissue plasminogen activator] in this indication. Thrombolytic agents, such as alteplase, have been approved for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) for many years, but it is only recently that attention has been drawn to their value in reducing acute stroke-related injury. In fact, 1995 was a banner year for trials of thrombolytic therapy in stroke, as shown by the number of presentations on this subject that were featured during the American Heart Association's 21st International Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation [San Antonio, Texas, US; January 1996].