Dramatic thrombolysis after rapid injection of tissue plasminogen activator: A case report

RATIONALE: The regimen of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is identical in every case where it is indicated in the treatment of cerebral infarction. We report a case of efficient recanalization of large arterial occlusion after rapid injection of rt-PA. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 78-year-old man was admitted with right-sided hemiplegia and global aphasia that occurred an hour ago. DIAGNOSES: His brain computed tomography (CT) revealed no hemorrhage, suggesting cerebral infarction. INTERVENTIONS: Ten percent of a total rt-PA dose was injected over 1 minute promptly. The remainder of rt-PA was designed to be infused for 60 minutes. Unexpectedly, during the study of CT angiography, administration of rt-PA was completed within 5 minutes. CT angiography showed occlusion from carotid bifurcation to the middle cerebral artery. OUTCOMES: After 2 hours of rt-PA administration, the patient began to regain strength in his right arm and leg. By the next day, he had only mild dysarthria and aphasia. Follow-up CT angiography revealed recanalized internal cervical artery and severe residual stenosis with a plaque. He was discharged without any neurologic symptoms. LESSONS: The infusion protocol of rt-PA administration is established in 1995 and has not changed. Successful recanalization of long segmental large vessel occlusion with only intravenous rt-PA is relatively low. In our case, a high concentration of rt-PA may have influenced the successful dissemination of large thrombus in the whole internal cervical artery. Our case is of significance as it raises the question of unanswered efficacy of diverse injection protocol according to thrombus size and bleeding risk.