THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TIMING OF RECANALIZATION AND CLINICAL OUTCOME OF ISCHEMIC STROKE DUE TO ACUTE MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY OCCLUSION AFTER ULTRASOUND-ENHANCED THROMBOLYSIS

Abstract

Purpose: The relationship between arterial recanalization after use of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and outcome is still uncertain. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the timing and impact of recanalization on functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients due to acute middle cerebral artery occlusion. Subjects and methods: Nonrandomized 40 stroke patients with proximal middle arterial occlusion on a prebolus TCD receiving intravenously 0.6 mg/kg rtPA within 4.5 hours after stroke onset were monitored with portable diagnostic TCD equipment and a standard headframe. Complete recanalization was defined as thrombolysis in brain ischemia (TIBI) flow grades 4-5. Results: 40 patients (mean age 67±14 years, NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] 16.15±8.6 points) were treated at 180±80 minutes from symptom onset. TCD was monitored continously for 120 minutes. Complete recanalization on TCD within 2 hours after bolus was found in 13 patients (32.5%). In this group, NIHSS decreased quickly at 2 hours and 24 hours. Modified Rankins 0-1point was seen in 92.3% of patients with complete recanalization compared to 37.0% of patients with uncomplete recanalization at 90 days. Non-symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was seen in 1 patient in the group of complete recanalization. Conclusions: Complete recanalization of middle cerebral arteries within 2 hours after IV rtPA treatment plays a role in predicting the good functional and clinical outcomes after ultrasound-enhanced thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients due to acute middle cerebral artery occlusion. Key words: stroke, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, transcranial Doppler sonography