Adverse consequences of immediate thrombolysis-related complications: a multi-centre registry-based cohort study of acute stroke

Complications following thrombolysis for stroke are well documented, and mostly concentrated on haemorrhage. However, the consequences of patients who experience any immediate thrombolysis-related complications (TRC) compared to patients without immediate TRC have not been examined. Prospectively collected data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme were analysed. Thrombolysis was performed in 451 patients (52.1% men; 75.3 years ± 13.2) admitted with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) in four UK centres between 2014 and 2016. Adverse consequences following immediate TRC were assessed using logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex and co-morbidities. Twenty-nine patients (6.4%) acquired immediate TRC. Compared to patients without, individuals with immediate TRC had greater adjusted risks of: moderately-severe or severe stroke (National Institutes of Health for Stroke Scale score ≥ 16) at 24-h (5.7% vs 24.7%, OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.4–11.1); worst level of consciousness (LOC) in the first 7 days (score ≥ 1; 25.0 vs 60.7, OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.1–10.2); urinary tract infection or pneumonia within 7-days of admission (13.5% vs 39.3%, OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–7.7); length of stay (LOS) on hyperacute stroke unit (HASU) ≥ 2 weeks (34.7% vs 66.7%, OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.5–18.4); mortality (13.0% vs 41.4%, OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.6–8.4); moderately-severe or severe disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 4) at discharge (26.8% vs 65.5%, OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.1–10.9); palliative care by discharge date (5.1% vs 24.1%, OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.7–15.7). The median LOS on the HASU was longer (7 days vs 30 days, Kruskal–Wallis test: χ(2) = 8.9, p = 0.003) while stroke severity did not improve (NIHSS score at 24-h post-thrombolysis minus NIHSS score at arrival = − 4 vs 0, χ(2) = 24.3, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the risk of nosocomial infections, worsening of stroke severity, longer HASU stay, disability and death is increased following immediate TRC. The management of patients following immediate TRC is more complex than previously thought and such complexity needs to be considered when planning an increased thrombolysis service.