MRI-Based and CT-Based Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Stroke Within and Beyond Established Time Windows

Abstract

Background and Purpose— The use of intravenous thrombolysis is restricted to a minority of patients by the rigid 3-hour time window. This window may be extended by using modern imaging-based selection algorithms. We assessed safety and efficacy of MRI-based thrombolysis within and beyond 3 hours compared with standard CT-based thrombolysis. Methods— Five European stroke centers pooled the core data of their CT- and MRI-based prospective thrombolysis databases. Safety outcomes were predefined as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. Primary efficacy outcome was a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 1). We performed univariate and multivariate analyses for all end points, including age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, treatment group (CT <3 hours, MRI <3 hours and >3 hours), and onset to treatment time as variables. Results— A total of 1210 patients were included (CT <3 hours: N=714; MRI <3 hours: N=316; MRI >3 hours: N=180). Median age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and onset to treatment time were 69, 67, and 68.5 years ( P =0.66); 12, 13, and 14 points ( P =0.019); and 130, 135, and 240 minutes ( P <0.001). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates were 5.3%, 2.8%, and 4.4% ( P =0.213); mortality was 13.7%, 11.7%, and 13.3% ( P =0.68). Favorable outcome occurred in 35.4%, 37.0%, and 40% ( P =0.51). Age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale were independent predictors for all safety and efficacy outcomes. The overall use of MRI significantly reduced symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 0.520, 95% CI: 0.270 to 0.999, P =0.05). Beyond 3 hours, the use of MRI significantly predicted a favorable outcome (OR: 1.467; 95% CI: 1.017 to 2.117, P =0.040). Within 3 hours and for all secondary end points, there was a trend in favor of MRI-based selection over standard <3-hour CT-based treatment. Conclusion— Despite significantly longer time windows and significantly higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, MRI-based thrombolysis is safer and potentially more efficacious than standard CT-based thrombolysis.