Intra-Arterial Thrombolytics During Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke

An ever-increasing number of acute ischemic stroke patients are being treated with intra-arterial thrombectomy, which aims to remove an embolic occlusion from a major intracranial artery with a catheter-based device. However, despite its proven efficacy, more than half of all patients do not achieve a satisfactory outcome and remain functionally dependent despite successful reperfusion. Research groups around the world are studying the potential of adjunctive treatments to further improve patient outcomes after thrombectomy. These additions range from antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents during the procedure, which are likely harmful, to neuroprotective agents, which have not been proven effective in humans.