Former antiplatelet drug administration and consequences of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND

One of the concerns in patients with acute ischemic stroke with former history of taking antiplatelet drugs is the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage following venous thrombolysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of previous administration of antiplatelet drugs on adverse outcomes of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

In this study, 46 patients with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were recruited. Patients were assessed in a period of three hours after stroke and received the standard dose of tPA (0.9 mg/kg). History of antiplatelet drugs, risk factors, demographic information and stroke severity were collected. The severity of the stroke was determined by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The outcome was assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and Barthel Index (BI) in the days one, 14 and 90.

RESULTS

Patients with history of antiplatelet drugs had an increased rate of intracranial hemorrhage [odds ratio (95% CI) = 7.3 (1.3-40.5)]. Stroke severity scores were higher in patients receiving antiplatelet drugs than the other group at discharge day and day 90. In both groups, the severity of the disease decreased with time. Mortality rate was 42.1% in patients received antiplatelet drugs and 18.5% in the other group (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, patients with acute ischemic stroke and history of taking antiplatelet drugs have poor outcome following administration of standard dose of tPA.