This study looked at 550 patients who experienced a large-vessel occlusion stroke within 4.5 hours of their last known well state. Researchers compared two treatments: giving tenecteplase along with a thrombectomy versus performing a thrombectomy alone. The goal was to see which method led to better functional independence after 90 days.
The results showed a significant difference based on the extent of brain damage, measured by an ASPECTS score. For patients with more severe damage (ASPECTS less than 8), those who received both tenecteplase and thrombectomy had significantly higher rates of functional independence. However, for patients with less severe damage (ASPECTS 8 to 10), there was no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups.
Safety data showed no significant difference in bleeding risks between the groups. However, mortality rates were numerically higher in the group receiving both treatments among those with less severe brain damage. Because this was an exploratory post hoc analysis, the findings are not yet enough to change standard medical practice. Doctors will need more prospective trials to confirm these results before making changes to how stroke patients are treated.
