1. Thrombolysis and Beyond: The New Therapeutic Horizons for Acute Ischemic Stroke54 1 54

2. E. Bradshaw Bunney, MD Associate Professor Department of Emergency Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center Chicago, IL 54 1 54

3. Global Objectives
Discuss the latest literature and controversy in the use of thrombolysis in stroke
Discuss options beyond the 3 hour window
Discuss future therapeutic modalities being studied for the treatment of ischemic stroke

4. Clinical History 911 call taken by CFD at 2:25 pm
“My husband is having a stroke and he can not move the left side of his body”.
ALS ambulance arrived at 2:34 pm
67-year-old patient to be sitting in a chair with a BP 140/85, pulse 96, respiratory rate 16 and the inability to move his left arm or leg
His wife also noticed the left side of his face was “flat”. He was able to speak.

5. Clinical History
He had a history of hypertension, was on Labetalol and Lasix, with no allergies
The paramedics noted the time of onset for the symptoms to be 2:15 pm., which was agreed to by both the patient and his wife
The patient was placed on a cart, an IV was established, oxygen was applied, and glucose was 98
The patient arrived in the ED at 2:52 pm

6. IV Thrombolysis
The purpose of thrombolysis or clot retrieval in the setting of ischemic stroke is to dissolve or remove the clot
To preserve the ischemic penumbra and minimize the size of tissue infarct.

7. Progression of Ischemic Stroke

8. IV Thrombolysis By minimizing infarct size
The NIHSS deficit measured acutely (and long-term in clinical trials)
The MRS and BI disabilities measured long term can be minimized, improving patient outcomes

9. NINDS Trial Results Percentage with favorable outcome
Placebo tPA
No. of patients: 312
157
145
Modified Rankin Scale
40%
28%
Glasgow Outcome Scale
43%
32%
NIHSS
34%
20%
Symptomatic ICH (within 36 hr)
6.4%
0.6%
Death (by 90 days)
17%
21%
NINDS rt-PA Trial Protocol support the Use of TPA to Treat Patients with Ischemic Stroke within 3 hr of onset.
When Established Treatment Guidelines are Followed study support the Safety of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy with tPA for Ischemic Stroke

10. IV Thrombolysis
14% absolute increase for the best clinical outcomes as measured by an NIHSS of 0-1.
Benefit = Need to treat eight patients with tPA in order to have one additional patient with this best outcome.
6% absolute increase in the number of symptomatic ICH.
Harm = Will have one symp ICH for every 16 patients treated with tPA.
2 patients will have a minimal or no deficit for everyone patient with a symp ICH

11. IV Thrombolysis
In general, tPA should be considered to be optimally useful by reproducing the NINDS protocol
Studied tPA in patients with a median NIHSS score of 14, signifying a moderate stroke.

12. Meta-analyses 54 1 54

13. Tale of Meta-analyses Wardlaw et al. Net benefit despite hazards
For 1000 treated up to 6hrs, 55 improve, 20 die
Heterogeneity and wide CI make results unreliable
Additional trial data required

14. Tale of Meta-analyses Graham et al., 15 published reports
ICH rate 5.2%, total death rate 13.4%
All better than NINDS
Lysis can be used safely across wide variety of practice settings

15. Tale of Meta-analyses Hacke et al. 6 randomized trials
Sooner thrombolytics given the greater the benefit
Particularly when given within 90 min. of onset

16. CONTROVERSY: Meta-analysis
Hoffman and Cooper
Pooled data can not replace new or confirmatory data
Meta-analyses did not include streptokinase trials which were negative
No reason to exclude streptokinase

17. Re-analysis 54 1 54

18. NINDS Re-analysis Does the protocol work?
Do subgroup imbalances invalidate the entire trial?
What about BP?

19. Baseline NIHSS Imbalance
NIHSS Score
0-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
> 20
No. of patients
Placebo
(n=312) 16 83 66 70 77
t-Pa
(n=310) 42 67 65 73 63
Brott presented a new meta-analysis of the NINDS, ECASS I and II and ATLANTIS studies in San Antonio at the American Stroke Association meeting. They divided the time interval to treatment in 90-minutes intervals (0-90, , , ) and analyzed the ratio of patients with a favorable outcome (mRS 0-1) in 2776 patients. They found a significant correlation of outcome with time from symptom onset. The odds ratios for the favourable outcome were 2.83, 1.53, 1.4 and 1.16 respectively with the last OR missing statistical significance. The lower confidence interval intersects with 1.0 at 285 minutes after symptom onset.138
Chi-square (4 DF) = 14.8; p = 0.005

20. Favorable Outcome Related to Baseline NIHSS - Modified Rankin Scale

21. Baseline NIHSS - Specific Odds Ratios
Test for equal ORs: Chi-square (4 DF) = 1.70; p = 0.79
Insufficient evidence was found to a declare a difference in treatment effects (ORs) across the five strata

22. OTT Analysis Report
Review Committee had concerns about analyzing OTT as a continuous variable
Uncertainty about the exact time of stroke onset.
OTT distribution was nonlinear with 25% of all the patients having OTT values of either 89 or 90 minutes.

23. Symptom onset vs Cumulative %
Time from symptom onset to treatment (minutes)
Cumulative percentage
Symptom onset vs Cumulative %

24. # of patients treated with t-PA (# of placebo patients with ICH)
NINDS ICH Analysis
Risk Factors for ICH:
Baseline NIHSS > 20
Age > 70 years
Ischemic changes present on initial CT
Glucose > 300 mg/dl (16.7 mmol/L)
# of Risk Factors
# of patients treated with t-PA
(n=310)
# Symptomatic ICHs
(# of placebo patients with ICH)
Percentage (%)
114
2 (1)
1.8 1
144
7 (1)
4.9
> 1 52 11
21.2

25. IV Thrombolysis
The independent reanalysis of the NINDS tPA clinical trial confirms the results from the initial NEJM publication
Support the use of tPA in stroke patients within three hours of symptom onset
Number needed to treat calculation based on this reanalysis confirms that approximately 8-10 patients need to be treated with tPA in order to cause one extra patient to have the best clinical outcome.
2 patients will improve for every one that develops a symp ICH

26. IV Thrombolysis: Conclusion
tPA has never been demonstrated to be superior or inferior in patients with an acute NIHSS score of 0-5 (mild stroke) or greater than 20 (severe stroke)
These stroke patients require a more careful assessment of the risks and benefits of tPA
Since they are less like the patients most commonly treated in the NINDS clinical trial.

27. Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis54 1 54

28. IA THROMBOLYSIS Two randomized trials – PROACT 1 & 2
Tested prourokinase vs. heparin <6 hours
MCA occlusions only
Recanalization improved with IA
Mortality identical
Relative risk reduction for outcome – 60%

29. IA Clinical Practice Numerous clinical series published
Basilar artery thrombosis series suggest benefit
Benefit with basilar may be late (12-24 hrs)
MRI diffusion/perfusion may aid selection

30. IA Thrombolysis
Within three hours of symptom onset IV tPA is the thrombolytic therapy of choice
Between three and six hours, there may be a role for intra-arterial tPA in institutions that provide this therapy
Especially when the stroke is related to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

31. IA Thrombolysis After six hours from stroke symptom onset
Data suggests that posterior circulation strokes may benefit from attempts to provide intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy
Data is limited in its scope.

32. Future Therapies 54 1 54

33. Future Therapies: Neuroprotectants
First generation failure
Adverse events
Lack of efficacy

35. NXY – 059: Preclinical Traps carbon and oxygen radicals
Positive trials in animals/primates
Significant dose response
Effective after 4 hours of ischemia

36. SAINT I Trial Placebo controlled trial Acute stroke < 6 hours
72 hours infusion of NXY-059
Primary outcome
Disability as measured by Modified Rankin
BENEFIT at 90 days
4.4% increase in rate of no disability
No significant AE’s

37. Future Therapies: Neuroprotectants
NMDA receptor
New subtypes
Antagonists in preclinical trials

38. Future Therapies: Neuroprotectants
Serotonin agonists
Reduce glutamate-induced excitotoxicity
Repinotan has reduced infarct volume in preclinical trials
Up to 5 hours after injury
Early clinical trials = safe
Serotonin adverse effects = nausea/vomiting

39. Future Therapies: Neuroprotectants
Inflammatory response in microvasculature
Leukocyte activation/adhesion
Good preclinical data, no clinical data of efficacy

40. Future Therapies: Hypothermia
Useful adjunct to other therapies
Known to be neuroprotective for years
Positive results in 2 studies with global ischemia
Timing, degree and duration need further study
Inconvenient to use

41. COOL AID 18 patients received hypothermia Clinical outcomes similar
MRI outcomes similar
Appeared to be well tolerated
Further studies

42. Neuroprotectants
Neuroprotectants are designed to minimize neuronal cell death and limit infarct size through penumbra stabilization
A recent NEJM publication demonstrated benefit in stroke patients with the use of a novel neuroprotectant
If confirmed in an ongoing second complementary clinical trial, this would represent the first clinically effective neuroprotectant.

43. Informed Consent: Documentation
With tPA, there is a 30% greater chance of a good outcome at 3 months
With tPA use, there is 10x greater risk of a symptomatic ICH (severe bleeding stroke)
Mortality rates at 3 months are the same regardless of whether tPA is used
2 patients will have a minimal or no deficit for everyone patient with a symp ICH
The key results of the NINDS trials must be explained to the patient and any family members who are assisting in the decision to use tPA. This information must be documented in the medical record.
The most difficult concept to explain involves the fact that mortality rates are comparable, despite a greater intra-cranial hemorrhage rates following tPA use. This data supports the notion that a patient who has sustained an acute CVA is ill and at risk for a grave outcome,with or without tPA therapy.
Once a decision has been made either to use or not to use tPA, the Emergency Medicine physician must document the rationale for the decision in terms of the potential for benefit, the inherent risks, and the preferences expressed during the discussion with the patient and their families. 54 44 54

44. Informed Consent: Documentation
Patient was explained risks and benefits of tPA use and was able to understand and provide verbal consent (as able), and signature with L hand.
Risk/benefit favored tPA given clear onset time, young patient with no significant morbidities or factors that would preclude tPA use, and approx NIHSS that suggests OK use.
Rapid CT obtained, neurology aware of pt status, agreed with expedited tPA use, to follow.
The key results of the NINDS trials must be explained to the patient and any family members who are assisting in the decision to use tPA. This information must be documented in the medical record.
The most difficult concept to explain involves the fact that mortality rates are comparable, despite a greater intra-cranial hemorrhage rates following tPA use. This data supports the notion that a patient who has sustained an acute CVA is ill and at risk for a grave outcome,with or without tPA therapy.
Once a decision has been made either to use or not to use tPA, the Emergency Medicine physician must document the rationale for the decision in terms of the potential for benefit, the inherent risks, and the preferences expressed during the discussion with the patient and their families. 54 44 54

45. Documentation Just as important
“The patient is NOT a candidate for tPA because…”
The key results of the NINDS trials must be explained to the patient and any family members who are assisting in the decision to use tPA. This information must be documented in the medical record.
The most difficult concept to explain involves the fact that mortality rates are comparable, despite a greater intra-cranial hemorrhage rates following tPA use. This data supports the notion that a patient who has sustained an acute CVA is ill and at risk for a grave outcome,with or without tPA therapy.
Once a decision has been made either to use or not to use tPA, the Emergency Medicine physician must document the rationale for the decision in terms of the potential for benefit, the inherent risks, and the preferences expressed during the discussion with the patient and their families. 54 44 54

46. Case Conclusion

47. Clinical Course
The patient was met by a nurse, a doctor and an EM tech and taken to the resuscitation room.
They confirmed the onset time of 2:15pm.
BP 142/88, P 98, R 16, T 99.2 F. HEENT: EOMI, PERRL, Ears clear, neck supple. Heart, lungs and abdomen were normal.
Neurological exam: CN mild left facial droop, strength 5/5 R arm and leg, 1/5 L arm and leg, no light touch or pin prick sensation in the L arm and leg. NIHSS=17-18.
Age, sex, family history, race, and prior history of stroke or heart attack have all been linked to an increased risk of stroke [AHA, Heart and Stroke Facts, 2003].
Although people of all ages, including children, can have strokes, the risk of having a stroke increases with age. The chance of having a stroke more than doubles with each decade of life after age 55.
Stroke is more common among men than women; however, women account for more than half of all stroke deaths. Pregnant women have a higher stroke risk than women of the same age who are not pregnant; women who take birth control pills and smoke or have high blood pressure also have a higher risk of stroke.
Heredity (family history) and race play an important role in the development of stroke. The risk of stroke is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister, or brother has had a stroke. African Americans have a much higher risk of stroke than Caucasians do. This difference in risk is partly because African Americans have higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
A history of prior stroke or heart attack puts a person at much higher risk of having another one. Prior heart attack also increases the risk of stroke. Up to approximately 30% of people who suffer TIAs will develop a stroke within 5 years [Feinberg WM, et al, 1994]. Although a family history of stroke may increase the risk of stroke in a particular patient, epidemiological confirmation that family history is an independent risk factor is limited [Wolf PA, et al, 1998].
A carotid bruit indicates atherosclerosis, but its presence does not necessarily mean that the carotid artery will become obstructed and result in stroke. Strokes are more common in the Southeastern United States (the so-called “Stroke Belt”) than in other areas. The reasons for this geographic variation are not completely clear.
Information about how unmodifiable factors influence risk of stroke is important for individuals, public health policy, and biologic research. Individuals who have a relatively high-risk profile can take steps to modify other risk factors through lifestyle changes and/or medical treatment. Similarly, public awareness programs for increasing the recognition of stroke warning signs and altering modifiable risk factors can be especially targeted to high-risk groups.

48. Clinical Course The stroke team was called at 3:05pm
Labs were drawn and sent.
The patient went to CT at 3:20 pm and returned at 3: 41pm.
The stroke team assessed the patient on return from CT and agreed with the diagnosis of CVA and NIHSS=18.
Head CT reading was “negative for bleed, normal brain” at 4:03pm.

49. Clinical Course
The patient was felt to be a good candidate for thrombolytics.
The patient was advised of the risks and benefits.
The patient, along with his wife declined thrombolytic therapy, stating “I want nature to take its course”.
The patient was given 325 mg. of aspirin and admitted to the hospital.
His 24 hour NIHSS=14.
On discharge, 5 days later, NIHSS=10.

50. Key Learning Points
IV thrombolysis is best when used per the NINDS protocol and in patients similar to the NINDS trial
IA thrombolysis may allow the window to extend to 6 hours in patients with MCA occlusions or posterior circ stroke
Neuroprotectants may be proven beneficial in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke in the near future
Allow patients to make informed decisions

51. Questions? www.ferne.org ferne@ferne.org
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