The present invention relates to a new means for the treatment of focal ischemic cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke). It has been found that reduction of ₂-antiplasmin leads to a significantly smaller focal cerebral infarct size. The invention therefore provides the use of compounds that reduce ₂-antiplasmin concentration or activity in vivo, for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for the treatment of focal cerebral ischemic infarction (ischemic stroke).