Acute Ischemic Stroke Thrombolysis with Tenecteplase: An Institutional Experience from South India

OBJECTIVE: Outcome assessment of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with tenecteplase in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We consecutively enrolled acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent IV thrombolysis with tenecteplase from October 2016 to May 2017. Primary clinical efficacy outcome was defined as an improvement in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥4 points at 24 h (h). Secondary clinical efficacy outcome was the favorable outcome on modified Rankin scale at 90 days defined as a score of 0 or 1. The safety endpoints were death rate at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). RESULTS: Mean NIHSS scores at baseline and 24 h were 13 (±3.81) and 9.29 (±5.74), respectively, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.016). In this study, nine patients (64%) met the primary clinical efficacy outcome and eleven (78.5%) patients met the secondary clinical efficacy outcome. Only 1 (7%) patient developed SICH and additionally, aspiration pneumonia with subsequent death. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase for stroke thrombolysis in our clinical setting. Tenecteplase appears to be a suitable option for stroke thrombolysis in resource-limited settings, considering its cost-effectiveness, and ease of administration.