Tissue Plasminogen Activator Infusion Research Articles

Early neurological improvement after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator infusion in patients with ischemic stroke aged 80 years or older

BackgroundEarly neurological improvement has been observed in patients with stroke receiving treatment with standard intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. However, the effectiveness of thrombolytic treatment and the risk of hemorrhagic transformation are not well understood in patients aged ≥80 years. In this study, we investigated the influence of age on early neurological improvement and hemorrhagic transformation rates in patients with stroke aged ≥80 years and receiving recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. MethodsThe study included 157 patients who received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator infusion at a teaching hospital. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was used to evaluate stroke severity. Early neurological improvement was defined as an improvement of 8 or more points on this scale (compared with baseline) 24 hours after thrombolytic treatment. Neurological improvement was defined as an improvement of 8 or more points (compared with baseline) at discharge. Neurological deterioration was defined as an increase of 4 or more points (compared with baseline). Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the associations among age, neurological improvement, and hemorrhagic transformation. ResultsThe rate of early neurological improvement was 36.9% (58/157 patients) and the rate of hemorrhagic transformation was 22.3% (35/157 patients). At discharge, the rate of neurological improvement was 50.9% (80/157 patients) and the rate of neurological deterioration was 13.4% (21/157 patients). There was no statistically significant difference between patients aged ≥80 years and those <80 years of age with respect to rates of early neurological improvement, neurological deterioration, or hemorrhagic transformation. Among patients ≥80 years, the rate of neurological improvement in those receiving thrombolytic treatment was higher than the rate in those patients not receiving thrombolytic treatment (58.8% vs. 14.1%, p < 0.01). We concluded that thrombolysis increases the rate of neurological improvement in patients aged ≥80 years. ConclusionIn older patients, thrombolytic treatment increased the rate of neurological improvement compared with patients not receiving the treatment. The study showed that thrombolytic treatment may be beneficial for patients ≥80 years, but should be performed with extreme care.

Management of Thick Submacular Hemorrhage With Subretinal Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Pneumatic Displacement for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

To evaluate the outcome of pars plana vitrectomy, subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) infusion and intraocular gas tamponade with and without postsurgical antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection for thick submacular hemorrhage due to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. setting: 2 retina referral centers. The patient population included 101 eyes of 101 patients with neovascular AMD and thick submacular hemorrhage who underwent surgical displacement of the hemorrhage with or without postoperative anti-VEGF injections. Main outcome measures included degree of blood displacement, best and final postoperative visual acuity (VA), and adverse events. Snellen acuity was converted to logMAR for statistical analysis. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months (mean, 15.3 months, range, 3-70 months). In 83 (82%) of 101 eyes, the procedure resulted in complete hemorrhage displacement from the fovea. Mean preoperative VA was 20/2255 (2.05 logMAR). The acuity significantly improved to 20/893 (1.65 logMAR) at month 1 (P < 0.001) at month 1; 20/678 (1.53 logMAR) at month 3 (P < 0.001), and 20/1150 (1.76 logMAR) at month 12 (P = 0.002). Best postoperative visual acuity improved by at least 1 line in 83 (82%) of 101 eyes, and 19.6% of eyes gained 3 lines or more at month 3. The visual acuity of the group of eyes that received postoperative anti-VEGF injection (n = 39) showed greater visual acuity improvement 6 months postoperatively compared to the group of eyes that did not receive postoperative anti-VEGF. Postoperative complications included vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 4 eyes, and recurrent thick subretinal hemorrhage in 6 eyes. Vitrectomy with subretinal t-PA injection and gas tamponade was found to be relatively effective for displacement of thick submacular hemorrhage with a significant improvement in visual acuity. There is a loss of acuity over time; the addition of postoperative anti-VEGF therapy may help maintain the visual acuity gains.

Thrombus attached to suture materials successfully thrombolysed with low-dose tissue plasminogen activator

Mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis is one of the most common complications of valve surgery. We herein describe an unusual clinical vignette. A 60-year-old man who underwent prosthetic mitral valve reoperation suffered from nonobstructive thrombus attached to the elongated suture materials in the postoperative sixth month. The thrombus was precisely depicted by two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and was successfully lysed with low-dose slow infusion of tissue plasminogen activator after failed heparin treatment.

Hybrid approach in patients with recurrent brachial artery embolism: adjunctive tissue plasminogen activator infusion following embolectomy

Acute ischemia of an upper extremity occurs less frequently than vascular events of the leg and accounts for 15%-32% of all cases. Embolectomy provides prompt and effective treatment in the majority of cases. Recurrence of embolism and failed reperfusion can result in poor outcomes, even extremity loss. Adjunctive managements become important in this patient group. In this report, we present percutaneous intraarterial drip tissue plasminogen activator infusion to rescue the extremity in a patient with small cell lung cancer who experienced thromboembolism an additional six times following embolectomy.

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator is Safe and Effective in Increasing Haemodialysis Catheter Longevity in Paediatric Haemodialysis Patients

Background: Haemodialysis catheter (HDC) occlusion is a common cause of poor blood flow, inadequate dialysis and HDC loss. From Jan 2009, our unit used infusions of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), Alteplase 0.1-0.2 mg/kg/hour over 1-2 hours for thrombolysis of occluded catheters. Methods: Retrospective review of outcomes of all patients who were treated with rtPA infusion for HDC occlusion in our unit between Jan 2009 to Dec 2012. Twenty patients underwent 5,407 sessions of catheter-directed haemodialysis in our unit (mean age 7.4 years, range 0.3-15.8 years). Results: Ten patients accounted for 339 episodes of rtPA infusions (median 12, range 1-115). Thirty-three radiographic contrast studies were performed – 21 (64%) confirmed presence of thrombus. The immediate success rate, defined as return of manual aspiration and infusion capabilities to both ports was 100%. No patients required exclusion from thrombolytic therapy due to contraindications. One patient had rtPA infusion discontinued after 9 infusions due to spontaneous bruising despite normal fibrinogen levels. The remainder of patients tolerated the treatment well. All patients had normal coagulation profile. No HDC were surgically changed due to occlusion by thrombus. Conclusion: Low dose Alteplase infusion is safe and efficacious in the management of HDC occlusion. It provides a means for improving the long-term survival of HDC catheters in patients with limited available options of vascular access for haemodialysis.

Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke Occurring during Hospitalization for Transient Ischemic Attack

There are limited data regarding the use of intravenous thrombolysis in patients who experienced acute ischemic symptoms during their hospitalization for prior transient ischemic attack. We sought to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke occurring during hospitalization for transient ischemic attack in an international, multicenter study. Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke that occurred during hospitalization for prior transient ischemic attack were treated with intravenous thrombolysis in five tertiary-care stroke centers. Early arterial recanalization was determined by transcranial Doppler at the end of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator infusion using previously validated criteria. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage complicating intravenous thrombolysis was evaluated using the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Stroke Study definition. Functional independence at three-months was defined as Modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2. Systemic recombinant tissue plasminogen activator infusion (median onset-to-treatment time 70 mins, interquartile range 50-150) was given in 25 consecutive patients (mean age 66 ± 10 years) who developed acute ischemic stroke symptoms (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 10 points; interquartile range 8-14) during hospitalization for prior transient ischemic attack (median ABCD(2) score 5 points; median time-to-symptom recurrence 24 h, interquartile range 24-48). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (0%; 95% confidence interval 0-12%) was documented. Early complete recanalization occurred in 64% of patients (95% confidence interval 44-80%), and 84% (95% confidence interval 65-94%) achieved three-month functional independence. The rate of three-month functional independence was higher in patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator within 90 mins from symptom onset compared with those with onset-to-treatment time>90 mins (81% vs. 33%; P = 0.031). Intravenous thrombolysis for symptoms of acute ischemic stroke occurring after hospitalization for transient ischemic attack appears to be safe. These pilot data support resetting the clock if new symptoms recur shortly after transient ischemic attack.

Successful thrombolytic treatment of a bio-prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in a pregnant woman

Even though it is a rare complication, the pro-coagulant condition of pregnancy may predispose to thrombosis of a bio-prosthetic mitral valve (BPMV). We report the successful reduced-dose, slow infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) to a BPMV thrombosis in a pregnant woman. When the patient was seen in the emergency clinic she was dyspnoeic and tachycardic and evaluated as NYHA class III-IV. On transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) the BPMV leafl et movement was restricted and a high transmitral valve gradient was measured. Transoesophageal echocardiography showed thrombosis of the BPMV. After slow infusion of t-PA with heparin, on TTE the gradient was decreased with free movement of the BPMV leafl et and with fast clinical improvement.

Salvage of Free-Flaps in Vessel-Depleted Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis Cases Using Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis and Angioplasty

To evaluate the efficacy of highly selective catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and angioplasty for salvage of compromised free flaps that were performed for treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Case series University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center Two patients with ORN who underwent highly selective CDT to salvage threatened free flaps are reported. One patient experienced arterial thrombosis on postoperative day 8 and underwent arterial CDT and angioplasty. A second patient underwent central venous CDT for a subclavian vein thrombosis that was diagnosed during the immediate postoperative period.Interventions Highly selective CDT and angioplasty for salvage of compromised free flaps Flap survival, patient survival, hemorrhagic complications. Both patients underwent successful thrombolysis. One patient required two CDT procedures over a 48-hour period; the other patient received continuous CDT infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) for 24 hours. There were no procedure-related complications. Long-term follow-up demonstrated complete flap survival with no flap necrosis. Free flaps performed for mandibular ORN have increased complication rates, and the surgical options for salvage of flap ischemia are often limited in patients with a heavily radiated, vessel-depleted neck. Aggressive CDT and angioplasty appears to be a useful modality in managing difficult cases of free-flap salvage in patients with mandibular ORN.

Abstract No. 344 - Thrombolytic reperfusion of acute phlegmasia cerulea dolens in congenitally absent IVC

Purpose Absent inferior vena cava(AIVC) is a rare anomaly of the venous system, occurring in 0.15% of general population, and occurs in 5% of patients presenting with unprovoked deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (1,2). AIVC may present as idiopathic phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD). Thrombolysis can successfully reduce massive clot burden. Materials and Methods Three patients were reviewed who presented with acute idiopathic PCD and underwent thrombolytic therapy. All were male, age range 25-42 years, with no comorbidities. CT and venograms demonstrated complete absence of the IVC and thrombosed pelvic collateral veins. Thrombolytic therapy consisted of initial 10 mg tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), followed by 1 mg/hr infusion over three to five days with low dose heparin infusion at 300 U/hr. Results All three patients showed initial flow around the dilated iliac vein thrombus, which progressively improved. Thigh diameters decreased by 0.5-1.0 cm per day. Venous stasis color improved by day 2 or 3, with decreasing pain. Follow-up venography showed re-established flow in the ascending paralumbar venous plexus, a collateral pathway for venous drainage. Conclusion 1. PCD in the setting of AIVC has massive clot load in chronically dilated pelvic veins (3). 2. Acute presenting PCD is caused by thrombosis of the pelvic and ascending lumbar veins. 3. Thrombolytic treatment endpoint is the re-establishment of ascending collateral flow. 4. Low dose TPA infusion may reduce the risk of massive reperfusion injury (4).

Kidney Transplantation from Donors with Severe Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by massive formation of thrombin, which can lead to renal dysfunction or failure. Many transplant centers are reluctant to accept the kidneys from donors with DIC especially if renal dysfunction is present. We developed protocol of machine perfusion followed by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion in order to treat and evaluate DIC kidneys prior to transplantation. The kidneys were placed on machine preservation with tPA added to the perfusate prior to transplantation. Three kidneys were transplanted from two donors who sustained gunshot injuries to the brain. A biopsy at the time of organ recovery documented widespread fibrin thrombi in approximately 80% of the glomeruli. Serial biopsies showed interval improvement following machine perfusion and a normal appearing kidney three months after successful transplantation. The histological presence of DIC in a deceased organ donor, even if associated with renal dysfunction, is not a contraindication to renal transplantation. Machine perfusion and tPA infusions may contribute to the recovery and successful transplantation of such kidneys.

Hirudin and S18886 Maintain Luminal Patency After Thrombolysis With Alfimeprase

An optimal strategy to improve reperfusion in patients with arterial occlusions is a recognized clinical need. We hypothesized that hirudin (thrombin inhibitor) and S18886 [S18, thromboxane A(2) receptor (TP) antagonist] would improve blood flow and reperfusion rates after thrombolysis with the direct-acting fibrinolytic enzyme alfimeprase. In anesthetized beagles, carotid artery thrombosis was induced by electrolytic endothelial injury. After 30 minutes of occlusion, animals were administered vehicle, hirudin, and/or S18. Carotid artery blood flow was monitored for 90 minutes after the infusion of alfimeprase or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). The onset to reperfusion was more rapid in animals treated with alfimeprase than in those treated with rt-PA. All the animals treated with hirudin + S18 + alfimeprase maintained vessel patency, and all vehicle-treated animals reoccluded. In animals treated with hirudin + S18 + alfimeprase, time to reocclusion and total reflow time after thrombolysis were longer compared with vehicle-treated animals. The quality and quantity of blood flow were most improved in animals treated with hirudin + S18 + alfimeprase. There were no significant differences in time to reocclusion, total reflow time, and quality and quantity of blood flow between vehicle + rt-PA-treated animals and hirudin + S18 + rt-PA-treated animals. Dual antithrombotic therapy with hirudin and S18 improves reperfusion after thrombolysis with alfimeprase but not rt-PA.

Effectiveness of low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue plasminogen activator in a nonagenarian patient with acute pulmonary embolism and main pulmonary artery thrombus

Acute pulmonary embolism is an important emergency disease which frequently results in life-threatening complication. Systemic fibrinolysis is recommended as standard, first-line therapy in patients with massive pulmonary embolism. In the case described in this report, a 95-year-old woman was treated with low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue plasminogen activator for acute pulmonary embolism and mobile thrombus in the main pulmonary artery and right pulmonary artery. On the basis of echocardiographic findings, acute thrombolysis with low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue plasminogen activator was performed resulting in hemodynamic stabilization of the patient and complete resolution of the pulmonary artery thrombus.

A case of renal artery embolism treated by selective intra-arterial infusion of tissue plasminogen activator

Thromboembolic obstruction of the renal artery is a serious clinical problem, but rarely diagnosed. The diagnosis is not usually established until irreversible renal parenchymal damage occurs. Here, we present a case of renal artery thromboembolism in a patient who had atrial fibrillation and was treated by selective intra-arterial infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). A 69-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with a one-hour history of palpitation and epigastric pain. He had inferior myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention to the right coronary artery two weeks before. Coronary angiogram was performed, and no significant stenosis was detected. One hour later, epigastric pain spread to the left flank region. Spiral computerized tomography showed occlusion of the left renal artery. Emergency abdominal angiography was performed, and selective intra-arterial infusion of TPA was started promptly. The abdominal pain disappeared, and urine output remained adequate. Forty-eight hours later, angiographic follow-up confirmed the complete lysis of the thrombus in the left renal artery. No renal or hemorrhagic complications were observed, and the patient was discharged four days later with normalized renal function on oral anticoagulation.

Recanalization of Acute Intracranial Artery Occlusion Using Temporary Endovascular Bypass Technique

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to present our preliminary experience of the temporary endovascular bypass (TEB) technique using an Enterprise stent for recanalization of acute intracranial artery (IA) occlusion.Materials and MethodsPatients treated by TEB were enrolled in this retrospective study from January 2009 to May 2010. All the procedures consist of temporary partial deployment and subsequent retrieval of Enterprise stent, supplemented by intra-arterial infusion of urokinase (UK) and/or tirofiban. According to the thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) classification, recanalization was evaluated with initial and postprocedural angiography. Safety was evaluated related to the procedure and clinical outcomes were assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at discharge and modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 3 months.ResultsEleven patients (median NIHSS 12.8, mean age 61.6 years, male: female = 8:3) with acute IA occlusion were treated with TEB. All the patients presented with TICI 0, and the occluded vessel was the middle cerebral artery (n=7), the basilar artery (n=1), and the distal ICA occlusion (n = 3). IV infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was done in 4 patients and mechanical thrombolysis with intra-arterial UK was performed in 9. Recanalization was achieved in 73% (8 patients; TICI ≥ 2). There were no procedure-related complications except for two asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. Improvement (≥ 4 points on the NIHSS) and good outcome (mRS ≤2) after 90 days was shown in six patients (55%). One patient died 6 days after procedure.ConclusionTEB may be a valuable treatment option in acute thromboembolic IA occlusion without stent implantation.

Retrospective Analysis of Tissue Plasminogen Activator as an Adjuvant Treatment for Calciphylaxis

To report our experience with low-dose tissue plasminogen activator in the treatment of calciphylaxis, a rare, usually fatal thrombotic condition that results in ischemia, necrosis, and infarction of adipose and cutaneous tissue. Retrospective chart review. Tertiary care academic medical center. Fifteen patients (4 men and 11 women) with calciphylaxis, treated from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2010. Treatment with tissue plasminogen activator, concomitant wound care, and management of calcium-phosphate status. Short-term ulcer healing, long-term survival. Patients received daily low-dose infusions of tissue plasminogen activator (mean treatment duration, 11 days). Six patients had no adverse reactions, 3 had minor bleeding, 6 required blood transfusions, and 3 had life-threatening bleeding. No patients died of treatment-related complications. Ten patients died (median time to death, 3.6 months; range, 23 days to 4.2 years). Of the remaining 5 patients, the median duration of follow-up was 36.8 months (range, 70 days to 4.3 years). Patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator had approximately 30% greater survival than controls, but the difference was not significant (P= .14). Our results were limited by the use of concomitant therapies, referral bias for advanced disease, and retrospective case-series design. Thrombolytic tissue plasminogen activator may be a useful adjunctive treatment in the management of patients with calciphylaxis. However, a multidisciplinary approach that includes aggressive wound care, débridement, thrombolytic therapy, restoration of tissue oxygenation, avoidance of infection, and control of calcium-phosphate homeostasis also is essential.

Treatment of High-risk Venous Thrombosis Patients Using Low-dose Intraclot Injections of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Regional Anticoagulation

Seven patients with venous thrombosis and contraindications to traditional thrombolytic therapy, consisting of recent intracranial surgery, recent pineal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage, active genitourinary or gastrointestinal bleeding, epidural procedures, and impending surgery, were successfully treated with a modified thrombolytic regimen. To improve safety, prolonged continuous infusions of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was eliminated in favor of once-daily low-dose intraclot injections of tPA to minimize the amount and duration of tPA in the systemic circulation, and low-therapeutic or regional anticoagulation was used to reduce anticoagulant risks. These modifications may allow thrombolytic treatment for selected patients with severe venous thrombosis who are deemed to be at high risk.

Treatment Outcomes of Tissue Plasminogen Activator Infusion for Branch Atheromatous Disease

The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) infusion for hyperacute branch atheromatous disease (BAD) within 3 hours after onset. A total of 152 BAD patients with lenticulostriate artery (LSA) or paramedian pontine artery (PPA) territory infarcts (LSA 114; PPA 38) were hospitalized between April 2007 and June 2012. Of these, 21 BAD patients (LSA 19; PPA 2) arrived at the hospital within 3 hours after onset, and, among these, 8 patients who received t-PA infusion (.6 mg/kg) were included in this study. All BAD patients who received t-PA infusion had LSA territory infarcts. Six of 8 patients (75%) had improvement of neurologic findings within 60 minutes after t-PA infusion, but neurologic findings deteriorated within 24 hours in 4 of these patients (67%). In all patients with deterioration, diffusion-weighted imaging after 24 hours revealed infarct expansion. One patient (13%) had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. After 3 months, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 0 to 2 in 6 patients (75%) and 3 to 6 in 2 patients (25%). With t-PA infusion for BAD, symptoms transiently improved, but the rate of symptom deterioration was high. The outcome after 3 months was relatively good.

The Influence of Bolus to Infusion Delays on Plasma Tissue Plasminogen Activator Levels

Estimates of neuronal loss in acute ischemic stroke show that the typical patient may lose 1·9 million neurons each minute that treatment is delayed. Consequently, significant emphasis has been placed on early evaluation and thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), the only approved thrombolytic therapy. TPA should be administered as a bolus followed by an immediate infusion because of its short half life. However, in the real life clinical situation, delays in starting the infusion after the bolus can occur. Similarly, once infusion has started, interruptions in the infusion of TPA can also occur. These scenarios may result in lower serum concentrations which could decrease the effectiveness of thrombolysis. We sought to simulate, the influence of bolus infusion delays and also the influence of different intervals of interruptions in the infusion of TPA on serum TPA concentrations. We simulated the effect of multiple intervals of delay after the bolus on serum TPA concentrations using known pharmacokinetics parameters of TPA. The effect of different intervals of interruptions in the infusion of TPA was also determined. The effect of rebolusing with TPA on serum concentrations in the event of significant bolus to infusion delays or significant infusion interruption was also simulated. Our data show that delays in starting the infusion may have significant effects on serum TPA concentrations. After the initial bolus, there is a rapid decrease in serum TPA concentrations unless the infusion is started immediately. Greater than 5 min delays in starting the infusion results in a slow gradual increase in serum TPA levels and levels stay well below the target concentrations for significant periods of time. Similarly, interruptions in the infusion of TPA lasting longer than 5 min can also significantly influence TPA levels. Rebolusing with TPA in these scenarios rapidly restores TPA levels to target concentrations. Because of its short half life, TPA should be administered as a bolus followed by an immediate infusion. Bolus to infusion delays or interruptions in the infusion of TPA after the bolus may significantly impact serum TPA levels and may reduce the efficacy of thrombolysis. Protocols or administration regimens should be employed to prevent delays or interruptions in the infusion. When delays do occur, rebolusing of TPA may be needed to rapidly restore TPA to target levels.

The Role of Small Vessel Disease in Re-exacerbation of Stroke Symptoms within 24 Hours after Tissue Plasminogen Activator Infusion

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and characteristics of re-exacerbation of stroke symptoms within 24 hours after tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) infusion. We studied consecutive stroke patients treated with t-PA within 3 hours of onset of symptoms admitted between October 2005 and March 2010. We divided patients into 4 groups: improvement (IM; improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] ≥4 points), unchanged (UN; no change or decline in NIHSS <4 points), exacerbation (EX; decline in NIHSS ≥4 points), and re-exacerbation (RE-EX; decline of NIHSS ≥4 points accompanied by re-exacerbation of neurologic symptoms in NIHSS ≥4 points). We compared clinical characteristics among the 4 groups. Two hundred twenty-two patients (135 men; median age 76 years) were enrolled. Sixteen of the 222 (7%) were in the RE-EX group. Small vessel disease (SVD), hemorrhagic cerebral infarction, and reocclusion were significantly more common among patients in the RE-EX group. SVD, hemorrhagic cerebral infarction, and reocclusion occurred in 44%, 25%, and 13% of patients in the RE-EX group, in 9%, 22%, and 0% of patients in the EX group, in 5%, 6%, and 0% of patients in the IM group, and in 17%, 14%, and 1% of patients in the UN group, respectively (P<.001, P=.041, and P<.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SVD was the only independent factor associated with re-exacerbation within 24 hours after t-PA infusion (odds ratio 3.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-10.40; P=.023). Seven percent of patients re-exacerbated within 24 hours after intravenous infusion of t-PA. Re-exacerbation within 24 hours after t-PA infusion was strongly associated with SVD.

Acute ST-elevation inferior myocardial infarction in a patient with a non-obstructive mechanical mitral valve thrombosis : case report - online article

The risk of systemic embolisation in patients with prosthetic heart valves who are receiving anticoagulation therapy is 0.5 to 1.7% per patient year and most cases present with cerebrovascular events. Here we report the case of a 42-year-old woman who was uneventfully treated with a low dose, prolonged infusion of tissue plasminogen activator because of non-obstructive prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis. It presented as coronary embolism and resulted in acute ST-elevation inferior myocardial infarction.