Effect of antiplatelet pretreatment on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator.

Early administration of antiplatelet agents in acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a potential therapeutic strategy, however, safety and efficacy are not well established. We hypothesize that antiplatelet pretreatment (AP) before IVT have a similarly role as initiation of AP within the first 24 hours following IVT. We aimed to explore the effect of AP on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes in thrombolysis-treated AIS patients. We enrolled AIS patients treated with IVT at the Neurology Department of the Nanjing First Hospital from January 2016 to June 2018. Prior use of antiplatelet agent was recorded. Light transmittance aggregometry was used to estimate the maximum platelet aggregation (MPA). Linear regression model was performed to investigate the factors associated with MPA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the association between AP and clinical outcomes. A total of 59 patients were included; 23 (38.9 %) were taking antiplatelet agent before stroke. Prior AP (ß = -20.209, SE mean=6.574; P=0.004) was significantly lower the arachidonic acid-induced MPA at the time point of 3h after thrombolysis. AP did not increase of the risk for sICH (OR=3.41, 95%CI 0.16-7.20, p=0.436) or mortality (OR=3.55, 95%CI 0.39-8.52, p=0.260). There were no associations between AP and improved clinical outcomes (all P>0.05). In thrombolysis-treated AIS patients, AP was associated with lower MPA after thrombolysis. AP is safe in these patients, however, further studies are required to confirm the efficacy.

Comparison of Therapeutic Effect of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator by Treatment Time after Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

We aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) administered at different time windows within the first 6 hours after onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A retrospective analysis was performed of data collected from 194 patients who received rt-PA thrombolysis within 4.5 hours after AIS onset and from 29 patients who received rt-PA thrombolysis between 4.5-6 hours after AIS onset. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were statistically decreased in both groups (P < 0.05) at 24 hours and 7 days after onset. There was no statistical difference in the modified Rankin score or mortality at day 90 after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, AIS patients who received rt-PA treatment between 4.5-6 hours after onset were similar in therapeutic efficacy to those who received rt-PA within 4.5 hours after onset. Our results suggest that intravenous thrombolytic therapy for AIS within 4.5-6 hours after onset is effective and safe.

Therapeutic effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator on acute cerebral infarction at different times.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) on the onset of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) at different time points of the first 6 hours. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 74 patients who received rt-PA thrombolysis treatment within 4.5 hours after ACI and another 15 patients who received rt-PA thrombolysis treatment between 4.5-6 hours after ACI. RESULTS: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were statistically decreased in both groups (P>0.05) at 24 hours and 7 days after ACI. There was no significant difference in modified ranking scores and mortality at 90 days after the treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic effect and mortality of rt-PA treatment in patients with ACI between 4.5-6 hours after the onset of the disease were similar to those in patients who received rt-PA within 4.5 hours after the onset of this disease. Therefore, intravenous thrombolytic therapy for ACI within 4.5-6 hours after ACI was effective and safe.

Efficacy and safety of a modified intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator regimen in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic treatment with intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA; 0.90 mg/kg, with a maximum dose of 90 mg) has been recommended as the standard management for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) thrombolysis. However, the dose of IV rtPA in Asia remains controversial. METHODS: This study was designed to verify the safety and efficacy of IV rtPA treatment for AIS with a lower dosage (0.90 mg/kg, with a maximum dose of 50 mg). Patients were divided into 3 dosage groups according to body weight (BW): group 1, <55 kg for 0.90 mg/kg; group 2, 55 to 67 kg for 0.75 to 0.90 mg/kg; and group 3, >67 kg for <0.75 mg/kg. The following data were collected: patient demographics, vascular risk factors, neuroimaging results, time of rtPA administration, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score before treatment and at 24 hours, and a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. RESULTS: Eighty-three AIS patients who were of Han Chinese descent were included in the study. The baseline characteristics of the 3 dosage groups were well matched. In group 1 (BW <55 kg for 0.90 mg/kg; n = 19), 57.1% had a favorable outcome at 3 months, compared with 61.2% of patients in group 2 (BW 55-67 kg for 0.75-0.90 mg/kg; n = 33) and 51.5% in group 3 (BW >67 kg for <0.75 mg/kg; n = 31; P = .362). There were no significantly statistical differences in the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: This IV rtPA regimen (0.90 mg/kg, with a maximum dose of 50 mg) not only shows sufficient favorable outcome in clinical practice in Chinese patients with AIS but also good health economic savings. This regimen could be suitable for many developing countries.