Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Administration Research Articles

Impact of Successful Recanalization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke with 5 or More Thrombectomy Passes

Background As the number of thrombectomy passes increases during endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute stroke, neurointerventionalists must weigh the risks of potential complications against the risk of failing to recanalize the affected vessel. Thus, we investigated the effectiveness and safety of EVT for patients with acute stroke in which ≥5 EVT passes were performed. Methods This retrospective cohort study from January 2013 to December 2022 included 31 thrombectomy‐capable centers. Patients in whom ≥5 EVT passes were made were included in the analysis. The patients with successful recanalization defined as modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b at 5, 6, 7, or more passes were compared with unsuccessful recanalization. We also compared procedure time, separated by 30 minutes. Primary outcome was a favorable 90‐day outcome (modified Rankin scale score of 0–2). Secondary outcomes were intracranial hemorrhage and death. Results A total of 407 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 175 were women (43.1%); the mean age was 67.3 years. In 265 (65.1%) patients, successful recanalization was achieved: 134 patients with 5 passes, 67 patients with 6 passes, and 64 with ≥7 passes. Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration was more common in the unsuccessful recanalization group (successful recanalization with 5, 6, and ≥7 EVT passes and unsuccessful recanalization: 35.3%, 30.3%, 18.8%, and 45.4%, respectively). Successful recanalization with 5, 6, and ≥7 EVT passes was associated with favorable outcome compared with unsuccessful recanalization group (adjusted odds ratio successful recanalization with 5, 6, and ≥7 EVT passes to unsuccessful recanalization [95% CIs]: 8.29 [2.13–32.3]; 14.0 [3.27–60.3]; and 5.26 [1.12–24.8], respectively). However, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was not significantly different between the groups. Regarding procedure time, favorable outcome was not significantly different in each group, while symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred more frequently in the 60 to 89 minutes group compared with the <30 minutes group (adjusted odds ratio, 60–89 minutes group to <30 minutes group [95% CI]: 5.86 [1.09–31.6]). Conclusion These findings suggest that a benefit in outcome persists for recanalization, without significant increase in complications. In addition, there was no significant difference in favorable outcomes among procedure time.

Intravenous tPA administration in patients with negative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) study on the MRI brain (P1-4.006)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To identify and analyze the clinical characteristics of the patients that had stroke-like symptoms (stroke mimics) on presentation and received IV tPA but subsequently were found not to have an ischemic stroke. <h3>Background:</h3> Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration within 4.5 hours of last known normal to the patients presenting with symptoms of stroke is the standard of care. Stroke mimics are a diverse group that is difficult to identify. They present with acute-onset focal neurological deficits, however further work up including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain show no evidence of stroke or TIA. The aim of our study is to identify such patients and understand their clinical characteristics. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and analyzed all the patients in a span of one year that presented with stroke like symptoms and received IV tPA. <h3>Results:</h3> We identified a total of 107 pts that received tPA in a span of year at our institute. Among them there were 11 patients that showed no changes in the DWI sequence of MRI imaging and did not have stroke as their discharge diagnosis. Overall, we found that stroke mimics compromise 10.2 % of the pts that got administered tPA. The age of this group ranged from 38–73. There were seven women and four men. The NIHSS at the time of presentation ranged from 3–19. We identified three patients with hypertensive crisis, two with cervical radiculopathy, two with suspicion of conversion disorder: one each with normal pressure hydrocephalus, sepsis with neurosyphilis, pulmonary embolism with aortic regurgitation and methamphetamine abuse. Majority of them presented with unilateral weakness along with facial weakness and speech difficulties. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> We conclude that in our patient population, only few patients were found to be stroke mimics. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Badugu has nothing to disclose. Dr. PANDEY has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chappidi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kelley has nothing to disclose.

Recanalization Rate and Clinical Outcomes of Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Administration for Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Patients.

Stroke caused from large vessel occlusion (LVO) has emerged as the most common stroke subtype worldwide. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration (IV-tPA) and additional intraarterial thrombectomy (IA-Tx) is regarded as standard treatment. In this study, the authors try to find the early recanalization rate of IV-tPA in LVO stroke patients. Total 300 patients undertook IA-Tx with confirmed anterior circulation LVO, were analyzed retrospectively. Brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) was the initial imaging study and acute stroke magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) followed after finished IV-tPA. Early recanalization rate was evaluated by acute stroke MRA within 2 hours after the IV-tPA. In 167 patients undertook IV-tPA only and 133 non-recanalized patients by IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx tried (IV-tPA + IA-Tx group). And 131 patients, non-recanalized by IV-tPA (IV-tPA group) additional IA-Tx recommend and tried according to the patient condition and compliance. Early recanalization rate of LVO after IV-tPA was 12.0% (36/300). In recanalized patients, favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0-2) was 69.4% (25/36) while it was 32.1% (42/131, p<0.001) in non-recanalized patients. Among 133 patients, nonrecanalized after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and undertook additional IA-Tx, the clinical outcome was better than not undertaken additional IA-Tx (favorable outcome was 42.9% vs. 32.1%, p=0.046). Analysis according to the perfusion/diffusion (P/D)-mismatching or not, in patient with IV-tPA with IA-Tx (133 patients), favorable outcome was higher in P/ D-mismatching patient (52/104; 50.0%) than P/D-matching patients (5/29; 17.2%; p=0.001). Which treatment tired, P/D-mismatching was favored in clinical outcome (iv-tPA only, p=0.008 and IV-tPA with IA-Tx, p=0.001). The P/D-mismatching influences on the recanalization and clinical outcomes of IV-tPA and IA-Tx. The authors would like to propose that we had better prepare IA-Tx when LVO is diagnosed on initial diagnostic imaging. Furthermore, if the patient shows P/D-mismatching on MRA after IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx improves treatment results and lessen the futile recanalization.

Utility of tPA Administration in Acute Treatment of Internal Carotid Artery Occlusions.

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) remains part of the guidelines for acute ischemic stroke treatment, yet internal carotid artery occlusions (ICAO) are known to be poorly responsive to IV-tPA. It is unknown whether bridging thrombolysis (BT) is beneficial in such cases. We sought to evaluate whether the use of IV-tPA improved overall clinical outcomes in patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for ICA occlusions. Data from 1367 consecutive stroke cases treated with EVT from 2012-2019 were prospectively collected from a single center. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between IV-tPA administration and clinical outcome. 153 patients were found to have carotid terminus and tandem ICAO who received EVT and presented within 4.5h of last seen well. 50% (n = 82) received IV tPA. There were no differences between the groups with respect to age, NIHSS, time to EVT and ASPECTS score. 53% had tandem ICA-MCA occlusions. Rate of recanalization (≥ TICI 2B) and sICH did not significantly differ between the two groups. Regression analysis demonstrated no effect of IV-tPA on modified Rankin Score (mRS) at 90 days and overall mortality. Factors significantly associated with reduced mortality included lower age, lower NIHSS, and better rate of recanalization. There was no significant difference in clinical outcomes in those receiving BT vs. direct EVT for ICAO. For centers with optimal door-to-puncture times, bypassing IV-tPA may expedite recanalization times and potentially yield more favorable outcomes. Patients with higher NIHSS and tandem lesions may have better outcomes with BT.

Effect of Direct Transportation to Thrombectomy-Capable Center vs Local Stroke Center on Neurological Outcomes in Patients With Suspected Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke in Nonurban Areas

In nonurban areas with limited access to thrombectomy-capable centers, optimal prehospital transport strategies in patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion stroke are unknown. To determine whether, in nonurban areas, direct transport to a thrombectomy-capable center is beneficial compared with transport to the closest local stroke center. Multicenter, population-based, cluster-randomized trial including 1401 patients with suspected acute large-vessel occlusion stroke attended by emergency medical services in areas where the closest local stroke center was not capable of performing thrombectomy in Catalonia, Spain, between March 2017 and June 2020. The date of final follow-up was September 2020. Transportation to a thrombectomy-capable center (n = 688) or the closest local stroke center (n = 713). The primary outcome was disability at 90 days based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS; scores range from 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) in the target population of patients with ischemic stroke. There were 11 secondary outcomes, including rate of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration and thrombectomy in the target population and 90-day mortality in the safety population of all randomized patients. Enrollment was halted for futility following a second interim analysis. The 1401 enrolled patients were included in the safety analysis, of whom 1369 (98%) consented to participate and were included in the as-randomized analysis (56% men; median age, 75 [IQR, 65-83] years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 17 [IQR, 11-21]); 949 (69%) comprised the target ischemic stroke population included in the primary analysis. For the primary outcome in the target population, median mRS score was 3 (IQR, 2-5) vs 3 (IQR, 2-5) (adjusted common odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82-1.29). Of 11 reported secondary outcomes, 8 showed no significant difference. Compared with patients first transported to local stroke centers, patients directly transported to thrombectomy-capable centers had significantly lower odds of receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (in the target population, 229/482 [47.5%] vs 282/467 [60.4%]; OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.76) and significantly higher odds of receiving thrombectomy (in the target population, 235/482 [48.8%] vs 184/467 [39.4%]; OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.13-1.89). Mortality at 90 days in the safety population was not significantly different between groups (188/688 [27.3%] vs 194/713 [27.2%]; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.79-1.18). In nonurban areas in Catalonia, Spain, there was no significant difference in 90-day neurological outcomes between transportation to a local stroke center vs a thrombectomy-capable referral center in patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion stroke. These findings require replication in other settings. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02795962.

Hemorrhagic Transformation after Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Administration in Acute Distal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

Atrial fibrillation and cerebral embolism are known to increase the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT). In addition, a sufficient number of collateral vessels in acute ischemic stroke can maintain the ischemic penumbra and prevent progression to the ischemic core, while an insufficient number of collateral vessels increase the HT risk after therapeutic recanalization. In this case, when the middle cerebral artery is recanalized, reperfusion injury may occur in the basal ganglia due to insufficient collateral vessels.

Abstract TMP28: Decision For Tpa Administration, Not Drive Time, Contributes Most To Variance In Thrombolysis Times Onboard Mobile Stroke Unit

Introduction: Hospitals have improved stroke thrombolysis times through rigorous assessment of care delays. While mobile stroke units (MSU) expedite intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke, the same rigor has not been applied to this novel setting. Methods: We reviewed all cases of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration onboard our mobile stroke unit in Rochester, NY since its inception in 2019. The dispatch timeline was divided into six intervals: (1) drive time, (2) onboarding time, (3) HCT collection, (4) HCT reading, (5) decision time, and (6) tPA administration. Cases in which tPA was delayed due to medical contraindications or inability to obtain consent were not included in the analysis. Results: The mean ± SD total time between MSU dispatch and tPA was 42 ± 8.4 min (range: 26-60 min; N = 53). The longest interval was (1) drive time (between dispatch and arrival, 12.0 ± 4.7 min). However, the inter-case variation was greatest in (5) decision time (between HCT reading and treatment decision, 6.3 ± 6.2 min). After ranking cases by total time, the interval that had the widest variance between the first and fourth quartiles was decision time (2.45x). The other intervals varied by a factor of 1.50x for (6) tPA administration and less than 1.00x for the other four intervals. Decision time was the interval most closely correlated with total time (Spearman’s ρ = 0.46; p = 0.00051), which was reduced in our second year of operation (38.8 from 44.6 minutes; Mann-Whitney, Z = 2.38, p = 0.02). Decision time was negatively correlated with time since inception of the MSU (Spearman’s ρ = -0.29, p = 0.037), suggesting that improvements in decision time drove improvements in overall thrombolysis time. Conclusion: The largest driver of variation in total time from emergency alert to tPA administration is provider decision time in our MSU program. This observation should be investigated in other settings but may ultimately inform MSU training and staffing.

Case series of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in confirmed COVID-19 patients: single-centre experience

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only caused a large surge of respiratory infections, it also had a potential association with and increases the risk of stroke. The pandemic has certainly provided new challenges and opportunities in the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS); however, data regarding outcomes of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV TPA) administration in stroke patients with COVID-19 remains limited.Case presentationThree AIS patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated using IV tPA. One case had excellent outcome, while the other cases showed unfavorable results. The risk–benefit ratio of IV TPA in COVID-19 remains unclear.ConclusionIn this article, we discuss the possible explanation behind these different outcomes. Although IV tPA could not cure COVID-19, we suggest that its administration should not be delayed in AIS patients with COVID-19.

Ischemic Stroke Revascularization.

Extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass is one of the most fundamental techniques for ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD). We describe the standard surgical strategies, advanced techniques, and controversies concerning revascularization of ischemic stroke. The standard surgical strategies and techniques emphasize how to determine surgical indication, which should be decided for symptomatic internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusive disease with misery perfusion detected by quantitative single photon emission computed tomography. Advanced techniques are available for complex situations such as posterior circulation revascularization, Bonnet bypass for common carotid artery obstruction, and various EC-IC bypasses for ischemia in the MCA and/or anterior cerebral artery territories using inter-grafts such as femoral veins and radial arteries, illustrated by our surgical results and experiences. Controversies include endovascular treatment complementary to EC-IC bypass. Finally, we advocate emergent EC-IC bypass for progressive ischemic CVD, particularly for contraindication or unsuccessful treatment after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration and/or endovascular thrombolysis. EC-IC bypass surgery can be reliable for ischemic CVD under strict optimal surgical indications using safe and reliable surgical techniques.

Quality and safety of Telemedicine in acute ischemic stroke: Early experience in Taiwan

Telemedicine helps to provide the safe management of stroke patients in the emergency department (ED) and has been used worldwide. However, we had limited experience of telestroke in Taiwan. We aimed to identify the quality of telestroke and compare it with the original face-to-face consultation model. Among 178 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA) from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, we compared two different consultation methods: face-to-face consultation and telestroke consultation. We collected data on demographics, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, time measurements (onset-to-arrival time, onset-to-telestroke activation time, and time of IVtPA administration (Door-to-Needle; DTN)). The mean age to receive a telestroke consultation was 66.6 years, 36% were female, and the median NIHSS score was 9. The median time from patient arrival to telestroke consult activation was 40min, and the median DTN time was 11min longer than for face-to-face consults (62min versus 51min, p = .01). Telestroke consultation, similar to a face-to-face consultation, resulted in safe IVtPA eligibility assessments and administration with post-thrombolysis ICH in 4% overall (4% telestroke, 3% face-to-face consultation; p=.851). The 90-day outcomes were not different for mRS score, dichotomized 0-2 (60% telestroke 59% face-to-face consultation; p=.961), or for mortality (16% telestroke, 9% face-to-face consultation; p=.292). In the ED, consultation via the telestroke program provides equal quality to the original face-to-face consultation model to manage ischemic stroke.

Abstract P552: Characteristics of Acute Stroke Intervention Therapies During Covid-19

Background and Purpose: We aimed to investigate the characteristics of acute stroke intervention therapies during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: The data were obtained from a comprehensive stroke center in the central region of the state of Kentucky in the United States. Pre-COVID period, which is before the first confirmed case in Kentucky, from January 1 to March 5 , 2020, was compared with the COVID period from March 6 to May 9, 2020. The variables included were total number of stroke alerts, final diagnosis of stroke, stroke severity scale, thrombolysis including intravenous and intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator administration and mechanical thrombectomy. The 2 time periods were compared using nonparametric statistics. Results: Total thrombectomies were increased from median, 3( Interquartile range, 1-7) during pre-COVID period to median of 7( Interquartile range, 2-17, p=0.01) during COVID period. Intravenous thrombolysis and adjunct therapy with intra-arterial thrombolysis did not differ between two time periods. Conclusions: We observed an increase in acute stroke intervention therapies during the surge of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky. This observation could be attributed to the increased association of COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke.

Stroke and Other Cerebrovascular Diseases

Stroke is a leading cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality, and rapid treatment is key for a good outcome. This review addresses the epidemiology, common presenting symptoms, causes, and treatment of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Current recommendations for the emergent evaluation and treatment of an acute ischemic stroke are highlighted, including recently updated indications and contraindications for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration and recent guidelines for the expanded role of endovascular mechanical embolectomy for stroke due to acute large vessel occlusion. An algorithm of diagnostic evaluations to assist with identification of the cause of ischemic stroke is offered. Evidence-based primary and secondary stroke prevention is discussed, including the ideal choice of antithrombotic based on identified stroke mechanism and optimal risk factor management. Best practice supportive measures for the post-stroke patient are highlighted, including recent guidelines for the management of elevated intracranial pressure. Management of uncommon causes of ischemic stroke is also addressed. This review contains 7 figures, 9 tables, and 84 references. Key Words:Intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, subarachnoid hemorrhage, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular therapy

Stroke and Other Cerebrovascular Diseases

Stroke is a leading cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality, and rapid treatment is key for a good outcome. This review addresses the epidemiology, common presenting symptoms, causes, and treatment of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Current recommendations for the emergent evaluation and treatment of an acute ischemic stroke are highlighted, including recently updated indications and contraindications for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration and recent guidelines for the expanded role of endovascular mechanical embolectomy for stroke due to acute large vessel occlusion. An algorithm of diagnostic evaluations to assist with identification of the cause of ischemic stroke is offered. Evidence-based primary and secondary stroke prevention is discussed, including the ideal choice of antithrombotic based on identified stroke mechanism and optimal risk factor management. Best practice supportive measures for the post-stroke patient are highlighted, including recent guidelines for the management of elevated intracranial pressure. Management of uncommon causes of ischemic stroke is also addressed. This review contains 7 figures, 9 tables, and 84 references. Key Words:Intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, subarachnoid hemorrhage, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular therapy

Stroke and Other Cerebrovascular Diseases

Stroke is a leading cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality, and rapid treatment is key for a good outcome. This review addresses the epidemiology, common presenting symptoms, causes, and treatment of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Current recommendations for the emergent evaluation and treatment of an acute ischemic stroke are highlighted, including recently updated indications and contraindications for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration and recent guidelines for the expanded role of endovascular mechanical embolectomy for stroke due to acute large vessel occlusion. An algorithm of diagnostic evaluations to assist with identification of the cause of ischemic stroke is offered. Evidence-based primary and secondary stroke prevention is discussed, including the ideal choice of antithrombotic based on identified stroke mechanism and optimal risk factor management. Best practice supportive measures for the post-stroke patient are highlighted, including recent guidelines for the management of elevated intracranial pressure. Management of uncommon causes of ischemic stroke is also addressed. This review contains 7 figures, 9 tables, and 84 references. Key Words:Intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, subarachnoid hemorrhage, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular therapy

Stroke and Other Cerebrovascular Diseases

Stroke is a leading cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality, and rapid treatment is key for a good outcome. This review addresses the epidemiology, common presenting symptoms, causes, and treatment of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Current recommendations for the emergent evaluation and treatment of an acute ischemic stroke are highlighted, including recently updated indications and contraindications for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration and recent guidelines for the expanded role of endovascular mechanical embolectomy for stroke due to acute large vessel occlusion. An algorithm of diagnostic evaluations to assist with identification of the cause of ischemic stroke is offered. Evidence-based primary and secondary stroke prevention is discussed, including the ideal choice of antithrombotic based on identified stroke mechanism and optimal risk factor management. Best practice supportive measures for the post-stroke patient are highlighted, including recent guidelines for the management of elevated intracranial pressure. Management of uncommon causes of ischemic stroke is also addressed. This review contains 7 figures, 9 tables, and 84 references. Key Words:Intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, subarachnoid hemorrhage, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular therapy

Stroke and Other Cerebrovascular Diseases

Stroke is a leading cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality, and rapid treatment is key for a good outcome. This review addresses the epidemiology, common presenting symptoms, causes, and treatment of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Current recommendations for the emergent evaluation and treatment of an acute ischemic stroke are highlighted, including recently updated indications and contraindications for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration and recent guidelines for the expanded role of endovascular mechanical embolectomy for stroke due to acute large vessel occlusion. An algorithm of diagnostic evaluations to assist with identification of the cause of ischemic stroke is offered. Evidence-based primary and secondary stroke prevention is discussed, including the ideal choice of antithrombotic based on identified stroke mechanism and optimal risk factor management. Best practice supportive measures for the post-stroke patient are highlighted, including recent guidelines for the management of elevated intracranial pressure. Management of uncommon causes of ischemic stroke is also addressed. This review contains 7 figures, 9 tables, and 84 references. Key Words:Intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, subarachnoid hemorrhage, antiplatelet therapy, endovascular therapy

Role of Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Large Vessel Occlusion

The goal of the present study was to determine the safety and efficacy of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data gathered during a 3-year period for all our patients with AIS and LVO. We analyzed the stroke outcomes and complications between patients who had received a combination of IVT and MT and those who had undergone MT only. Standardized selection criteria, including the uniform use of perfusion imaging, were used for selection for MT, irrespective of IVT administration. Of the patients who had received IVT, 10% had had successful reperfusion found at initial angiography and did not require MT. A door-to-puncture time within 1 hour of presentation was achieved in 19% of both groups. IVT+MT was not associated with an increased incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (IVT+MT, 47.1%; MT, 49%). Of the 73 patients in IVT+MT group, 8 had developed access-site hematomas compared with 9 of the 95 patients in the MT group (28.6% vs. 26.5%; P= 0.85). The IVT+MT group had a lower proportion of patients with a modified Rankin scale score of 5-6 at 90 days compared with the MT group (36% vs. 56%; P= 0.024). Both groups showed statistically similar proportions of patients with a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale score of ≥2c (IVT+MT, 50%; MT, 43%; P= 0.58). The IVT+MT group had a greater proportion of patients with Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale score of 2c (IVT+MT, 29.6%; MT, 16.8%; P= 0.068). Administration of IVT before MT to patients with AIS with LVO resulted in reperfusion before MT in 10% of patients, reduced the incidence of mortality and severe disability at 90 days, did not affect the door-to-puncture time, and was associated with a similar incidence of systemic and intracranial hemorrhage compared with MT only.

Initial experience with the CatchView thrombectomy device for acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundWe report our initial experience with the CatchView (CV) thrombectomy device in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).MethodsA retrospective analysis of 53 of 284 AIS patients (mean age 66.6±14.8 years,...

Pathophysiology of Ischemic Stroke: Role of Oxidative Stress.

Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality and the major cause of adult physical disability worldwide. The currently available treatment to recanalize the blood flow in acute ischemic stroke is intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and endovascular treatment. Nevertheless, those treatments have the disadvantage that reperfusion leads to a highly harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, generating oxidative stress (OS), which is responsible for most of the ischemia-reperfusion injury and thus causing brain tissue damage. In addition, OS can lead brain cells to apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. The aims of this review are to provide an updated overview of the role of OS in brain IRI, providing some bases for therapeutic interventions based on counteracting the OS-related mechanism of injury and thus suggesting novel possible strategies in the prevention of IRI after stroke.

Peripheral embolization following thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke\u2014a case report

BackgroundIntravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is the only golden approved medical therapy for acute ischemic stroke, guidelines for its injection relay on reducing or preventing associated hemorrhage as a side effect, yet hemorrhage is not the only possible complication, further embolization following injection is also a possibility; in this case report, peripheral embolization following intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with two possible explanations one related to the treatment and another related to the patient liability is represented.Case presentationA 78-year-old male presenting with acute onset of stroke, received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, 16 h later he developed acute limb ischemia.ConclusionPeripheral embolization may happen within hours from intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration.