It took almost half a century before the method of cerebral infarction treatment by thrombolysis was introduced into clinical practice. During this period thrombolysis underwent a lengthy development associated rather with failures than success. The first references to this method date back to the end of the fifties. The investigations proper started in the sixties and seventies but a qualitative shift occurred only during the era of CT examinations. The first successful pilot studies were implemented at the beginning of the nineties and culminated in the mid-nineties when thrombolysis was introduced into clinical practice. The publication is an overview where the author gives an integrated view on thrombolytic therapy of cerebral infarction. He presents a historical review focused on recent thrombolytic trials. Alternative ways of administration are mentioned and the possible future development is outlined.

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