Stroke Recurrence in First-Ever Symptomatic Carotid Web: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid web (CaW) is an intimal variant of fibromuscular dysplasia responsible for ipsilateral cerebral ischemic events (CIE). Symptomatic CaW likely has a high risk of recurrent CIE, but no salient prospective data are available. We aimed to assess recurrence rate and its predictors after a first-ever CIE. METHODS: Consecutive Afro-Caribbean patients who had cryptogenic first-ever CIEs (ischemic stroke [IS] or transient ischemic attack [TIA]) associated with ipsilateral CaW were included in this multicenter observational cohort study. The follow-up (January 2008 to March 2019) focused on CIE recurrences. Kaplan-Meier method assessed rates of recurrences and Cox proportional hazards regression analyzed risk factors. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients (79 first-ever ISs and 13 TIAs; mean age±standard deviation, 49.8±9.9 years; 52 [56.5%] women) were included. During a mean follow-up of 50.5±29.6 months, 19 (20.7%) patients experienced recurrent ipsilateral CIEs (16 ISs and three TIAs). Of 23 patients receiving surgery/stenting treatment, no recurrence occurred after the intervention (median follow-up, 39.8 months [interquartile range, 27.6 to 72.4]). Under medical treatment alone, the annual recurrent CIE rate was 6.9%, and the cumulative rate was 4.4% at 30-day, 10.8% at 1-year, 19.8% at 2-year, 23.2% at 3-year, and 27.3% at 5-year. Presence of silent cerebral infarctions was the only independent risk factor of CIE recurrences (hazard ratio, 6.99; 95% confidence interval, 2.4 to 20.4; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Under medical treatment alone, symptomatic CaW was associated with a high rate of recurrence that reached 27.3% at 5-year. Surgery/stenting seems to be efficient, and randomized control trials are required to confirm the benefit of these interventions.

SOD1-related ALS with anticipation in a large family from Martinique.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disorder that causes degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons and their axons. ALS is mostly sporadic, but there are familial forms. In more than half of the familial forms, a pathogenic variant is found in one of the following genes: C9ORF72, SOD1, TDP-43, FUS, and VCP. SOD1 is the 2nd most common gene involved in genetic forms of ALS. Genotype-phenotype relationships are occasionally established in genetic forms of ALS associated with SOD1 mutations pathogenic variants. The c.281G > T (p.[G93V]) variant in SOD1 is associated with a rarely described and unexplained anticipation phenomenon. We report a large family from Martinique in whom ALS is associated with a c.281G > T (p.[G93V]) pathogenic variant in SOD1 and a statistically suggested anticipation. A whole-exome study and detection of CNVs (CoDESeq) from 3 affected members of this family revealed the presence of variants of uncertain signification (VUS) in other ALS genes. VUS in DCTN1 and NEFH were present in patients of the 2nd generation, and CNVs involving UBQLN2 and C21orf2 were found in the youngest case of the family.

Temporal trends in Human T-Lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) incidence in Martinique over 25 years (1986-2010).

BACKGROUND: Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has been discovered in 1980 and has been linked to tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in 1985 in Martinique. There is no data on HAM/TSP incidence trends. We report, in the present work, the temporal trends incidence of HAM/TSP in Martinique over 25 years. METHODS: Martinique is a Caribbean French West Indies island deserved by a unique Neurology Department involved in HAM/TSP diagnosis and management. A registry has been set up since 1986 and patients diagnosed for a HAM/TSP were prospectively registered. Only patients with a definite HAM/TSP onset between 1986 and 2010 were included in the present study. The 25-year study time was stratified in five-year periods. Crude incidence rates with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated using Poisson distribution for each period. Age-standardized rates were calculated using the direct method and the Martinique population census of 1990 as reference. Standardized incidence rate ratios with 95% CIs and P trends were assessed from simple Poisson regression models. Number of HTLV-1 infection among first-time blood donors was retrospectively collected from the central computer data system of the Martinique blood bank. The HTLV-1 seroprevalence into this population has been calculated for four 5-year periods between 1996 and 2015. RESULTS: Overall, 153 patients were identified (mean age at onset, 53+/-13.1 years; female:male ratio, 4:1). Crude HAM/TSP incidence rates per 100,000 per 5 years (95%CI) in 1986-1990, 1991-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2005 and 2006-2010 periods were 10.01 (6.78-13.28), 13.02 (9.34-16.70), 11.54 (8.13-14.95), 4.27 (2.24-6.28) and 2.03 (0.62-3.43). Age-standardized 5-year incidence rates significantly decreased by 69% and 87% in 2001-2005 and 2006-2010 study periods. Patients characteristics did not differ regarding 1986-2000 and 2001-2010 onset periods. Between 1996-2000 and 2011-2015 study periods, the HTLV-1 seroprevalence significantly decreased by 63%. CONCLUSION: Martinique faces a sudden and rapid decline of HAM/TSP incidence from 2001 in comparison to 1986-2000 periods. Reduction of HTLV-1 seroprevalence, that may result from transmission prevention strategy, could account for HAM/TSP incidence decrease.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is an optic neuropathy (ON) in patients with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. METHODS: We included HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers (a.c.HTLV-1) and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) patients between January 1st, 2014 and March 31st, 2015. All patients had complete eye examination. The visual acuity (VA) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were measured and compared to age- and sex-matched control groups including patients seen in our refraction clinic with no previous medical or surgical history. RESULTS: Thirty-one a.c.HTLV-1 (group 1) and 29 TSP/HAM patients (group 2) were included. The average RNFL thickness was 99.9 ± 14.3 µm in group 1 and 87.8 ± 19.2 µm in group 2. The average RFNL thicknesses were lower in both groups, when compared to controls. The difference was significant in patients with TSP/HAM (87.8 ± 19.2 µm vs. 97 ± 7.8 µm; p = 0.003) who also had significantly decreased VA. CONCLUSIONS: We report here the first study about the RNFL thickness in patients with TSP/HAM. In these patients, there is decrease of the RNFL thickness with subtle but definite decrease of VA. This suggests that subclinical ON occurs in the natural history of the disease. The diagnosis of TSP/HAM must be evoked as a differential of primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a population at risk. Moreover, RNFL thinning with no evidence of glaucoma should raise suspicion for HTLV-1 infection and TSP/HAM in a population at risk.

One-year disability, death and recurrence after first-ever stroke in a Black Afro-Caribbean population.

Background Few data on stroke outcomes and no data on stroke recurrence are available in Black mono-racial population with high socio-economic status. Aims We investigated outcomes and stroke recurrence at one year in the Black Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique and examined potential predictors of poor prognosis and recurrence. Methods Patients from ERMANCIA II (Etude Réalisée en MArtinique et Centrée sur l'Incidence des Accidents vasculaires cérébraux), a Black population-based and prospective observational study, were followed up at 28-days, three months and one year post stroke. Stroke characteristics, survival, disability (modified Rankin Scale > 2), and stroke recurrence were assessed. A survival-based approach was used for time-to-event analysis, and multivariable regression analysis assessed the predictors of death, disability and stroke recurrence. Results Of 544 first-ever stroke patients, cumulative risks of death increased from 17.6% (95% confidence interval, 14.5-20.4) at 28 days to 22.8% (18.6-25.0) at three months and to 31.3% (27.4-34.6) at one year. Disability rates in survivors decreased from 43.7% (39.5-47.2) at 28 days to 35% (30.9-38.4) at three months and to 28.8% (24.9-32.1) at one year. Cumulative risks of recurrent stroke were estimated to 2.1% (0.9-2.9) at 28 days, 4.5% (2.7-6.1) at three months and 9.3% (6.1-11.6) at one year. Age (odds ratio (OR), 1.08 (1.05-1.10)), admission NIHSS (OR, 1.22 (1.17-1.29)), metabolic syndrome (OR, 2.07 (1.22-3.52)) and recurrence (OR, 5.06 (1.87-13.7)) were independent predictors of death or disability at one year. Conclusion Stroke Outcomes in Black Afro-Caribbean population with a high socio-economic status appear globally similar to outcomes reported in Caucasian population. After a first-ever stroke, the implementation of early programs of recurrence prevention seems crucial to reduce the risk of poor prognosis at one year.

Association Between Carotid Bulb Diaphragm and Ischemic Stroke in Young Afro-Caribbean Patients: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid bulb diaphragm (CBD) has been described in young carotid ischemic stroke (CIS) patients, especially in blacks. However, the prevalence of CBD in CIS patients is unknown, and whether CBD is a risk factor for CIS remains unclear. We assessed the association between CBD and incident CIS in a population-based study. METHODS: We selected all young (<55 years) CIS patients from a 1-year population-based cohort study in the Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique in 2012. All patients had a comprehensive work-up including a computed tomographic angiography. We calculated CIS associated with ipsilateral CBD incidence with 95% confidence intervals using Poisson distribution. We then selected age- and sex-matched controls among young (<55 years) Afro-Caribbean stroke-free patients admitted for a road crash who routinely had computed tomographic angiography. Odds ratio (ORs) were calculated by conditional logistic regression adjusted for hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and smoking. RESULTS: CIS associated with ipsilateral CBD incidence was 3.8 per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.1). Prevalence of ipsilateral CBD was 23% in all CIS and 37% in undetermined CIS patients. When restricted to undetermined CIS, CBD prevalence was 24 times higher than that in controls (adjusted OR, 24.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-325.6). CONCLUSIONS: CBD is associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral CIS in young Afro-Caribbean population.

Zika virus detection in urine from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome on Martinique, January 2016.

We report two cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome who had concomitant Zika virus viruria. This viruria persisted for longer than 15 days after symptom onset. The cases occurred on Martinique in January 2016, at the beginning of the Zika virus outbreak. Awareness of this possible neurological complication of ZikV infection is needed.

MRI characteristics of carotid bulb atypical fibromuscular dysplasia in black stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In black stroke patients, a particular form of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), called atypical FMD (aFMD), is involved in stroke mechanism. The high rate of stroke recurrence under medical treatment leads to propose surgery in such patients. Regarding its location level on the carotid bulb, aFMD is often confused with atherosclerosis or free-floating thrombus. Nowadays, only histology can confirm the diagnosis. MRI of aFMD has never been assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The constitution of a black patient's cohort with aFMD-related ischemic stroke is currently in progress in the French West Indies, Martinique. In patients scheduled for surgery, MRI of the carotid bifurcation was analyzed preoperatively, with subsequent histological examination of the excised specimen. The first four black stroke patients with MRI and histological findings are described. RESULTS: On imaging, aFMD lesion was homogeneous with isosignal on T2-weighted sequences and slight hypersignal on T1-weighted sequences with mild gadolinium enhancement of the inner layer. Histological findings confirmed the aFMD mainly located in the intima. CONCLUSIONS: aFMD generates a particular MRI pattern in our four patients, which could increase the diagnosis accuracy. Carotid bulb lesion in black stroke patients should suggest aFMD and MRI analysis may contribute to rule out differential diagnoses.

Carotid-bulb atypical fibromuscular dysplasia in young Afro-Caribbean patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An atypical form of fibromuscular dysplasia located in the internal carotid-bulb (CaFMD) is thought to be uncommon and is poorly described as a cause of ischemic stroke in the young. This study aimed to obtain a better description of CaFMD in Afro-Caribbean population, who could be particularly affected by it. METHODS: This study included consecutive patients <55 years consulting at Fort-de-France University Hospital Stroke Center (Martinique, FWI) found to have CaFMD as the only cause after a comprehensive work-up. CaFMD was diagnosed when computed tomographic angiography showed a bulbar spur without calcification. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with stroke and CaFMD were identified. Computed tomographic angiography showed 2 CaFMD patterns: a thin (n=15) or thick (n=10) spur. Three patients initial computed tomographic angiography images showed a mural thrombus overlying the CaFMD. CaFMD was surgically removed from 7 of 25 and 20 of 25 patients who received antiplatelet therapy; after mean follow-up of 25.3±19.5 months, their respective recurrence rates were 0% and 30%. CONCLUSIONS: CaFMD could be a common condition in young Afro-Caribbeans with carotid-territory ischemic stroke. Recurrences were frequent under antiplatelet treatment, while surgical CaFMD removal seemed more effective.

Trends in incidence and early outcomes in a Black Afro-Caribbean population from 1999 to 2012: Etude Réalisée en Martinique et Centrée sur l'Incidence des Accidents Vasculaires Cérébraux II Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Seldom studies are available on trends in stroke incidence in blacks. We aimed to evaluate whether stroke risk prevention policies modified first-ever stroke incidence and outcomes in the black Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique. METHODS: Etude Réalisée en Martinique et Centrée sur l'Incidence des Accidents Vasculaires Cérébraux (ERMANCIA) I and II are 2 sequential prospective population-based epidemiological studies. There have assessed temporal trends in first-ever stroke incidence, risk factors, pathological types, and early outcomes in the black Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique comparing two 12-month periods (1998-1999 and 2011-2012). Crude and age-standardized incidence and 30-day outcomes for stroke in the 2 study periods were compared using Poisson regression. RESULTS: We identified 580 and 544 first-ever strokes in the 2 studies. World age-standardized incidence rates decreased by 30.6% in overall (111 [95% confidence interval, 102-120] versus 77 [95% confidence interval, 70-84]). Rate decline was greater in women than in men (34% versus 26%) particularly in women aged 65 to 74 years (-69%) and 75 to 84 years (-43%). Frequencies of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were unchanged, whereas dyslipidemia, smoking, and atrial fibrillation significantly increased. Only ischemic stroke types showed significant rate reduction in overall and in women, incidence rate ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 0.69 (0.50-0.97) and 0.61 (0.42-0.88), respectively. The overall 30-day case-fatality ratio remained stable (19.3%/17.6%), whereas a better 30-day outcome was found (modified Rankin Score, ≤2 in 47%/37.6%; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Over 13 years, there has been a significant decrease (30.6%) in the age-specific first-ever stroke incidence in our Afro-Carribean population. Although prevention policies seem effective, we need to focus on new risk factors limitation and on male population adherence to prevention program.

Infarction in the anterior choroidal artery territory: clinical progression and prognosis factors.

This study was undertaken to describe the still poorly known evolving profile of anterior choroidal artery (AChA) infarctions, identify their prognosis factors, and evaluate responses to intravenous (IV) thrombolysis. During 42 months, we prospectively enrolled patients with an isolated AChA stroke. Clinical and radiologic parameters were compared between patients with or without progression, defined as any clinical worsening. Factors associated with poor outcome (dependence or death) were tested, and IV thrombolysis responses were assessed. For the 100 of 1234 (8.1%) analyzed patients with AChA stroke (predominantly lacunar syndrome [88%]), mean admission and maximum National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were 4.4 and 5.2, respectively. Arterial hypertension (78%) and diabetes (30%) were the main vascular risk factors. Despite low 3-month mortality (3%), 26% of the patients were dependent; 46 patients with progressive stroke (over 56 ± 56 hours, 1.6 mean successive plateaus) had higher risks of dependence (P < .0001). An acute-phase NIHSS score of 6 or more significantly increased the risk of poor outcome (P < .0001). Maximum NIHSS score and progression were independently associated with poor outcome. Among 21 patients given IV thrombolysis, 12 AChA strokes continued to progress, leaving 8 disabled at 3 months. Almost half of AChA strokes progress during the first 2 to 3 days. Maximum acute-phase NIHSS scores and progression were independently associated with poor outcome, also strongly predicted by an NIHSS score of 6 or more at any time. Our unconvincing experience with IV thrombolysis means new therapeutic options and trials are needed, especially for patients with clinical progression and/or NIHSS score of 6 or more.

Visual field characteristics in neuromyelitis optica in absence of and after one episode of optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: Optic neuritis (ON) observed during neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is in most cases very severe and with poor prognosis. This study's objective was to analyze visual field (VF) abnormalities observed in the absence of ON and post-ON episode. METHODS: Twenty-seven cases of both NMO and multiple sclerosis (MS) were selected. Thorough ophthalmologic exam was performed at least 6 months post-ON attack. The VF was collected using the Humphrey 750 perimeter. We used the central threshold tests 24-2 with FASTPAC strategy. The abnormalities were categorized based on the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial classification. RESULTS: After one ON, 40% of the NMO group's eyes showed total VF loss (P = 0.01), 21% showed abnormalities of neurologic aspect, and 27% showed fascicular abnormalities of which 12% were altitudinal. Given the total VF loss, the positive predictive value in favor of an NMO was 92.8% and the negative predictive value was 47.3%. CONCLUSION: Alterations of the VF during the NMO differ from those observed in the course of the MS. One ON, blinding from the first attack, must call to mind an NMO. The altitudinal deficits point to a vascular mechanism.

Prehospital transfer medicalization increases thrombolysis rate in acute ischemic stroke. A French stroke unit experience.

OBJECTIVES: Narrow therapeutic window is a major cause of thrombolysis exclusion in acute ischemic stroke. Whether prehospital medicalization increases t-PA treatment rate is investigated in the present study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intrahospital processing times and t-PA treatment were analyzed in stroke patients calling within 6h and admitted in our stoke unit. Patients transferred by our mobile medical team (SAMU) and by Fire Department (FD) paramedics were compared. RESULTS: 193 (61.6%) SAMU patients and 120 (38.4%) FD patients were included within 30 months. Clinical characteristics and onset-to-call intervals were similar in the two groups. Mean door-to-imaging delay was deeply reduced in the SAMU group (52 vs. 159 min, p<0.0001) and was <25 min in 50% of SAMU patients and 14% of FD patients (p<0.0001). SAMU management was the only independent factor of early imaging (p=0.0006). t-PA administration rate was higher in SAMU group than in FD group (42% vs. 28%, p=0.04). Proportion of patients with delayed therapeutic window was higher in FD group than in SAMU group (38% vs. 26%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Prehospital transfer medicalization promotes emergency room bypass, direct radiology room admission and high thrombolysis rate in acute ischemic stroke.

Efficacy of mitoxantrone in neuromyelitis optica spectrum: clinical and neuroradiological study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of mitoxantrone (MTX) on clinical and neuroradiological parameters of patients who had a relapse of neuromyelitis optica spectrum (NMOS) within the 12 previous months. METHODS: MTX (12 mg/m(2)) combined with methylprednisolone 1 g as three monthly courses followed by three quarterly courses was administered during an observational multicentre open study including 51 consecutive patients (28 NMO, 23 limited forms of NMO) of the French Caribbean and Guyana. The main outcome measure was the reduction of the annualised relapse rate (ARR), and the secondary outcome measures were alteration of disability measured by expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, the time to onset of the first relapse, and the progression of neuroradiological lesions at 1 year of treatment. RESULTS: At 1 year of treatment, the ARR dropped from 1.82 to 0.37 (p<0.0001). The mean EDSS score improved by 1.3 points, going from 5.8 at baseline to 4.5 at 1 year (p<0.0001). The number of patients showing gadolinium (Gad)+ spinal cord lesions at baseline, that is, 46.9%, dropped to 10.6% (a 77.4% reduction; p=0.02). The median time to onset of the first relapse was 18 months. IgG-NMO seropositivity was a predictive factor of relapse (p=0.006). A case of acute myeloid leukaemia was observed after a mean time span of 4.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: In this observational NMO study, MTX decreased dramatically the frequency of relapses, which is directly related to progression of disability or even death in this disorder.

Treatment of optic neuritis by plasma exchange (add-on) in neuromyelitis optica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of plasma exchange (PE) in association (add-on) with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids in acute optic neuritis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and limited forms of NMO. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with optic neuritis were treated from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2010, with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids and 16 with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids plus PE. The ophthalmologic examination was performed at least 6 months after optic neuritis treatment. Visual acuity and visual field assessed with the Snellen scale and the logarithmic scale of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study were measured using standard automated perimetry and frequency doubling technology perimetry. Retinal peripapillary fiber thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Final visual acuity was 20/400 in the corticosteroid group and 20/50 in the PE group (P=.04). The gain in visual acuity was 20/200 in the corticosteroid group and 20/30 in the PE group (P=.01). A poor final visual acuity outcome (≤20/200) was found in 19 of 36 patients (53%) in the corticosteroid group and 2 of 16 patients (13%) in the PE group (P=.008). Mean (SD) thickness of peripapillary retinal nervous fibers was 63.1 (20.4) µm in the corticosteroid group and 70.3 (20.3) µm in the PE group (P=.16). The mean (SD) thickness in the temporal quadrant was 38.5 (14.1) µm in the corticosteroid group and 44.5 (12.7) µm in the PE group (P=.02). In multivariate analysis, PE treatment was the only independent factor associated with a visual acuity greater than 20/200. CONCLUSION: In optic neuritis associated with NMO, sequential treatment with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids and PE is more effective than standard monotherapy with corticosteroids on visual acuity outcome.

Ocular oscillations in the neuromyelitis optica spectrum.

Four French West Indian women complained of oscillopsia and were found to have an acquired eye movement disorder. In 3 of them, different types of nystagmus were found, including upbeat, downbeat, and central form of vestibular nystagmus. One developed opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Three patients had neuromyelitis optica antibodies, and 3 had brainstem abnormalities detected on MRI. Two patients had definite NMO, while the other 2 were considered to be at high risk for developing NMO. Treatment with high-dose systemic corticosteroids, with plasma exchanges, or in combination led to resolution of oscillopsia. We propose that eye movement disorders be added to the neurological manifestations of NMO.

A new therapeutic strategy for acute ischemic stroke: sequential combined intravenous tPA-tenecteplase for proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion based on first results in 13 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV tPA) frequently fails to recanalize proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA-M1) obstructions, preventing favorable outcomes. Only neurointerventional procedures prevail in these cases, but well-equipped centers remain scarce. A new therapeutic strategy consisting of a second IV thrombolysis with low-dose tenecteplase was applied. METHODS: Consecutive patients with an MCA-M1 occlusion that did not reopen at the end of IV tPA perfusion received IV tenecteplase (0.1 mg/kg). Partial or complete thrombolysis in myocardial infarction recanalization (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 2/3) and intracerebral hemorrhage were assessed by magnetic resonance aging approximately 24 hours later. Clinical outcomes at 3 months were evaluated with the modified Rankin score. RESULTS: Among 40 patients with MCA-M1 occlusions who received IV tPA, 13 were treated according to the protocol of sequential combined IV thrombolytics. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 15. At a mean of 16.8 hours after IV thrombolysis, the recanalization rate was 100% (2 with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 2, 11 with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 3). Intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 4 of 13 (31%) patients, with no symptomatic hemorrhage. Good clinical outcomes (modified Rankin score = 0/1) were achieved in 9 of 13 (69%) patients. Functional outcomes were very similar to those of 13 patients with early IV-tPA recanalization. Among 4 patients treated as protocol violations, 1 presented with a lack of recanalization and a parenchymal hematoma type 2. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with MCA-M1 occlusions treated with IV tPA but without early recanalization, a second bolus of IV tenecteplase (0.1 mg/kg) may be a relatively safe, effective, and easy option in carefully selected cases, but additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.