Multicentre, Prospective Randomized Open Label, Blinded-endpoint (PROBE) Controlled Trial of Thrombolysis With Low Dose Tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) Versus Standard of Care in Minor Ischemic Stroke With Proven Acute Symptomatic Occlusion
This trial will enroll patients that have been diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke that has occurred within the past 12 hours. Anyone diagnosed with a minor stroke faces the possibility of long-term disability and even death, regardless of treatment. Stroke symptoms such as weakness, difficulty speaking and paralysis may improve or worsen over the hours or days immediately following a stroke. TEMPO-2 is a minor stroke trial for patients presenting within 12 hours of their symptom onset. Patients will be randomized to TNK-tPA or standard of care. In the intervention group TNK-tPA is given as a single, intravenous bolus (0.25mg/Kg) immediately upon randomization. Maximum dose 50mg. The control group will receive antiplatelet agent(s) as decided by the treating physician. Antiplatelet agent(s) choice will be at the treating physician's discretion. TEMPO-2 Coordinating Centre is located in Calgary, AB, Canada. There will be approximately 50 sites participating worldwide. Dr. Shelagh Coutts is the Principal Investigator.
• Acute ischemic stroke in an adult patient (18 years of age or older)
• Onset (last-seen-well) time to treatment time ≤ 12 hours.
• TIA or minor stroke defined as a baseline NIHSS ≤ 5 at the time of randomization. Patients do not have to have persistent demonstrable neurological deficit on physical neurological examination.
• Any acute intracranial occlusion or near occlusion (TICI 0 or 1) (MCA, ACA, PCA, VB territories) defined by non-invasive acute imaging (CT angiography or MR angiography) that is neurologically relevant to the presenting symptoms and signs. Multiphase CTA or CT perfusion are required for this study. An acute occlusion is defined as TICI 0 or TICI 1 flow.1 Practically this can include a small amount of forward flow in the presence of a near occlusion AND, Delayed washout of contrast with pial vessels on multiphase CTA in a region of brain concordant with clinical symptoms and signs OR, Any area of focal perfusion abnormality identified using CT or MR perfusion - e.g. transit delay (TTP, MTT or T Max), in a region of brain concordant with clinical symptoms and signs.
• Pre-stroke independent functional status - structured mRS ≤2.
• Informed consent from the patient or surrogate.
• Patients can be treated within 90 minutes of the first slice of CT or MRI. Scans can be repeated to meet this requirement; if there is no change neurologically then only a CT head need be repeated for assessment of extent and depth of ischemia.