Treatment with IV alteplase is safe in young ischemic stroke patients and they benefit more compared to older patients. The authors found several factors associated with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), mortality, and functional outcome. These can be used to help in the selection of young ischemic stroke patients for thrombolysis.
A total of 27,671 patients aged 18–80 years treated with IV alteplase within 4.5 hours of symptom onset were enrolled in SITS-ISTR between 2002 and 2010.
Main outcome measures were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH; deterioration of ≥4 points on the NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] within 24 hours and type 2 parenchymal hematoma), mortality, and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2) at 3 months.
In the 3,246 (11.7%) patients aged 18-50, SICH occurred in 0.6% vs 1.9% in those aged 51-80 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31-0.90, p = 0.02).
Three-month mortality was 4.9% and 14.4%, respectively (aOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.40-0.60, p < 0.001) and functional independence was 72.1% vs 54.5%, respectively (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.43-1.80, p < 0.0001).
In multivariable analysis in young patients, baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) was the only independent factor associated with SICH (p = 0.04).
Baseline NIHSS, baseline glucose, and signs of infarction in baseline imaging scan were associated with higher mortality and poorer functional outcome.
Male gender, mRS before stroke, and atrial fibrillation (AF) were associated with higher mortality, and age, SBP, and previous stroke were associated with mRS.
MDLinx connects healthcare professionals and patients to tomorrow's important medical news, while providing the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries with highly targeted interactive marketing, education, content, and medical research solutions.