Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: IV vs. IA tPA (Activase) in Acute Ischemic Stroke With CTA Evidence of Major Vessel Occlusion
Brief Summary: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for 158,488 deaths in 1998 (American Heart Association). Nationwide, each year, an estimated 600,000 to 750,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke. Cerebral infarction comprises 80% of all strokes and is the result of a complex series of cellular metabolic events that occur rapidly after interruption of blood flow to a region of the brain. The extent of the brain damage is dependent on the duration and severity of the cerebral ischemia. Acute thrombus formation or migration is the principal cause of blood flow interruption in at least 75% of cerebral infarctions. In several animal models of focal cerebral ischemia, restoration of cerebral blood flow within two to six hours after initial occlusion has been associated with smaller volumes of cerebral infarction and improved functional outcome. An effective way of dissolving the thrombus is by administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator or Activase (Alteplase, rt-PA), which promotes the proteolytic action of plasmin from plasminogen at the site of a clot. In this study, the drug, Activase, will be administered in subjects with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) intravenously (IV) or by local intra-arterial (IA) injection. The use of the intravenous administration within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset is FDA approved whereas the intra-arterial administration, despite evidence of potential benefit, is not currently FDA approved. Although not FDA approved, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of IA thrombolysis with Activase, used in AIS because of its higher rate of recanalization , potential expansion of the time window out to 6 hours, and lower doses of thrombolytic agent used compared with systemic or intravenous Activase. The study is designed to test the feasibility and provide preliminary safety data regarding the relative benefits and risks of IA Activase as compared to IV Activase when administered per the NINDS rt-PA stroke study protocol, i.e. randomized within 3 hours of onset of symptoms of ischemic stroke then treated within 3 hours in the IV Activase arm and within 4 hours in the IA Activase arm.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria A. Clinical (Heterogeneous sampling frame)

1. Acute ischemic stroke
2. Age 18 or greater
3. Onset (last-seen-well) time to randomization time \< 12 hours.
4. Disabling stroke defined as a baseline NIHSS \> 5 at the time of randomization.
5. Pre-stroke (24 hours prior to stroke onset) independent functional status in activities of daily living with modified Barthel Index \> 90. Patient must be living in their own home, apartment or seniors lodge where no nursing care is required.

   B. Imaging (Homogeneous target population)
6. Confirmed symptomatic intracranial occlusion, based on single phase, multiphase or dynamic CTA, at one or more of the following locations: Carotid T/L, M1 MCA, or M1-MCA equivalent (2 or more M2-MCAs). Anterior temporal artery is not considered an M2.
7. Non-contrast CT and CTA for trial eligibility performed or repeated at ESCAPE stroke center with endovascular suite on-site.
8. Endovascular treatment intended to be initiated (groin puncture) within 60 minutes of baseline non-contrast CT with target baseline non-contrast CT to first recanalization of 90 minutes.
9. Signed informed consent or appropriate signed deferral of consent where approved.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Baseline non-contrast CT reveals a moderate/large core defined as extensive early ischemic changes of ASPECTS 0-5 in the territory of symptomatic intracranial occlusion.
2. Other confirmation of a moderate to large core defined one of three ways:

   1. On a single phase, multiphase or dynamic CTA: no or minimal collaterals in a region greater than 50% of the MCA territory when compared to pial filling on the contralateral side (multiphase/dynamic CTA preferred) OR
   2. On CT perfusion (\>8 cm coverage): a low CBV and very low CBF ASPECTS \<6 AND in the symptomatic MCA territory OR
   3. On CT perfusion(\<8 cm coverage): a region of low CBV and very low CBF \>1/3 of the CTP imaged symptomatic MCA territory.
3. Groin puncture is not possible within 60 minutes of the first slice of non-contrast CT acquisition (please note that if CTP is performed it should be done after CTA).
4. No femoral pulses or very difficult endovascular access that will result in a non-contrast CT-to-recanalization time that is longer than 90 minutes, or will result in an inability to deliver endovascular therapy.
5. Pregnancy; if a woman is of child-bearing potential a urine or serum beta HCG test is positive.
6. Severe contrast allergy or absolute contraindication to iodinated contrast.
7. Suspected intracranial dissection as a cause of stroke.
8. Clinical history, past imaging or clinical judgment suggests that the intracranial occlusion is chronic.
9. Patient has a severe or fatal comorbid illness that will prevent improvement or follow-up or that will render the procedure unlikely to benefit the patient.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Sudden focal neurological deficit attributable to a stroke
* Clearly defined time of onset, allowing initiation of intravenous treatment within 3 hours of symptoms onset and intra-arterial treatment within 6 hour of symptoms onset.
* Age greater than 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Disability preceding stroke consistent with a modified Rankin scale score of 2-4
* Coma at onset
* Rapidly improving neurological deficit
* Seizure at onset
* Clinical presentation suggestive of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
* Previous history of intracranial hemorrhage
* Septic embolism
* Arterial puncture at a non compressible site within the previous 7 days
* Any traumatic brain injury within the previous 14 days
* Surgery of the central nervous system in the previous 3 months
* Gastrointestinal hemorrhage or urinary tract hemorrhage within the previous 14 days.
* Current therapy with intravenous or subcutaneous heparin to rise the clotting time
* Known hereditary or acquired hemorrhagic diathesis, baseline INR greater than 1.5, aPTT more than 1.5 times normal, or baseline platelet count less than 100,000 per cubic millimeter
* Baseline blood glucose concentrations below 2.75 mm/L (50 mg/dL).
* Known contrast sensitivity.
* Women of childbearing potential (unless pregnancy impossible) or known to be breastfeeding. Uncontrolled hypertension defined by a blood pressure greater or equal 185 mmHg systolic or diastolic greater or equal 110 mm Hg in 3 separate occasions at least 10 minutes apart or requiring continuous IV therapy.
* Prognosis very poor regardless of therapy; likely to be dead within months.
* Unlikely to be available for follow-up (eg, no fixed home address, visitor from overseas).
* Any other condition which local investigators feels would pose a significant hazard in terms of risk/benefit to the patient, or if therapies are impracticable.

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC (CT) SCAN EXCLUSION CRITERIA

* Intracranial tumors except small meningioma
* Hemorrhage of any degree
* Acute infarction (since this may be an indicator that the time of onset is uncorrected)
C: Clinical Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signs \& symptoms consistent w/ the diagnosis of acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke
2. Age 18-90 years
3. Baseline NIHSSS is ≥ 6 and remains ≥6 immediately prior to randomization
4. Endovascular treatment can be initiated (femoral puncture) between 6 and 16 hours of stroke onset. Stroke onset is defined as the time the patient was last known to be at their neurologic baseline (wake-up strokes are eligible if they meet the above time limits).
5. modified Rankin Scale less than or equal to 2 prior to qualifying stroke (functionally independent for all ADLs)
6. Patient/Legally Authorized Representative has signed the Informed Consent form.

Clinical Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other serious, advanced, or terminal illness (investigator judgment) or life expectancy is less than 6 months.
2. Pre-existing medical, neurological or psychiatric disease that would confound the neurological or functional evaluations
3. Pregnant
4. Unable to undergo a contrast brain perfusion scan with either MRI or CT
5. Known allergy to iodine that precludes an endovascular procedure
6. Treated with tPA \>4.5 hours after time last known well
7. Treated with tPA 3-4.5 hours after last known well AND any of the following; age \>80, current anticoagulant use, history of diabetes or prior stroke, NIHSS \>25
8. Known hereditary or acquired hemorrhagic diathesis, coagulation factor deficiency; recent oral anticoagulant therapy with INR \> 3 (recent use of one of the new oral anticoagulants is not an exclusion if estimated GFR \> 30 ml/min).
9. Seizures at stroke onset if it precludes obtaining an accurate baseline NIHSS
10. Baseline blood glucose of \<50mg/dL (2.78 mmol) or \>400mg/dL (22.20 mmol)
11. Baseline platelet count \< 50,000/uL
12. Severe, sustained hypertension (Systolic BP \>185 mmHg or Diastolic BP \>110 mmHg)
13. Current participation in another investigational drug or device study
14. Presumed septic embolus; suspicion of bacterial endocarditis
15. Clot retrieval attempted using a neurothrombectomy device prior to 6 hrs from symptom onset
16. Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, precludes an endovascular procedure or poses a significant hazard to the subject if an endovascular procedure was performed.

Neuroimaging Inclusion Criteria:

1. ICA or MCA-M1 occlusion (carotid occlusions can be cervical or intracranial; with or without tandem MCA lesions) by MRA or CTA

   AND
2. Target Mismatch Profile on CT perfusion or MRI (ischemic core volume is \< 70 ml, mismatch ratio is \>/= 1.8 and mismatch volume\* is \>/= 15 ml)

Alternative neuroimaging inclusion criteria (if perfusion imaging or CTA/MRA is technically inadequate):

A) If CTA (or MRA) is technically inadequate:

Tmax\>6s perfusion deficit consistent with an ICA or MCA-M1 occlusion AND Target Mismatch Profile (ischemic core volume is \< 70 ml, mismatch ratio is \>1.8 and mismatch volume is \>15 ml as determined by RAPID software)

B) If MRP is technically inadequate:

ICA or MCA-M1 occlusion (carotid occlusions can be cervical or intracranial; with or without tandem MCA lesions) by MRA (or CTA, if MRA is technically inadequate and a CTA was performed within 60 minutes prior to the MRI) AND DWI lesion volume \< 25 ml

C) If CTP is technically inadequate:

Patient can be screened with MRI and randomized if neuroimaging criteria are met.

Neuroimaging Exclusion Criteria:

1. ASPECTS score \<6 on non-contrast CT (if patient is enrolled based on CT perfusion criteria)
2. Evidence of intracranial tumor (except small meningioma) acute intracranial hemorrhage, neoplasm, or arteriovenous malformation
3. Significant mass effect with midline shift
4. Evidence of internal carotid artery dissection that is flow limiting or aortic dissection
5. Intracranial stent implanted in the same vascular territory that precludes the safe deployment/removal of the neurothrombectomy device
6. Acute symptomatic arterial occlusions in more than one vascular territory confirmed on CTA/MRA (e.g., bilateral MCA occlusions, or an MCA and a basilar artery occlusion).
D: Inclusion Criteria:Subjects will be eligible if the following criteria are met:

* Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study assessments for the full duration of the study.
* Age \> 18 years
* NIHSS ≥ 4 or isolated aphasia or isolated hemianopsia

Exclusion Criteria:

* NIHSS \>30
* Coma
* Rapidly improving symptoms
* History of stroke in the last 6 weeks
* Seizure at onset
* Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH ) or suspected SAH
* Any history of Intracrannial Hemorrhage (ICH)
* Neoplasm
* Septic embolism
* Surgery, biopsy, trauma or LP in last 30 days
* Head trauma in the last 90 days
* Bleeding diathesis, or INR \>1.7 or PTT \>1.5 times baseline or platelet \<100K
* SBP \>180 or DBP ≥100 despite treatment with 3 doses of IV Labetalol (10-20 mg Q10")
* Lacunar stroke syndrome
* CT: Hemorrhage, tumor (except small meningioma), significant mass effect, midline shift, acute hypodensity or \>1/3 MCA territory sulcal effacement
* Radiological contrast hypersensitivity
* Angiographic: Dissection, lack of access, lack of occlusion, or nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy

Answer: D