Seizures during stroke thrombolysis heralding dramatic neurologic recovery

Abstract

Seizures during thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke have not previously been described as a favorable prognostic sign. We report three patients with severe stroke (NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 15 to 20) who experienced a seizure during tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion. While initially raising alarm about possible hemorrhage, the seizures heralded dramatic recovery (an immediate 15-point NIHSS score improvement after tPA; NIHSS score 0 or 1 at 24 hours). We propose that the seizures during thrombolysis may indicate cortical reperfusion and/or hyperperfusion due to early recanalization of an acutely occluded intracranial artery.