Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study
Brief Summary: Rationale: Recently our study group reported the results of the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS), a prospective registry of patients with an acute symptomatic basilar artery occlusion (BAO). Our observations in the BASICS registry underscore that we continue to lack a proven treatment modality for patients with an acute BAO and that current clinical practice varies widely. Furthermore, the often-held assumption that intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) is superior to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with an acute symptomatic BAO is challenged by our data. The BASICS registry was observational and has all the limitations of a non-randomised study. Interpretation of results is hampered by the lack of a standard treatment protocol for all patients who entered the study.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of IAT in addition to best medical management (BMM) in patients with basilar artery occlusion.

Study design: Randomised, multi-centre, open label, controlled phase III, treatment trial.

Study population: Patients, aged 18 years and older, with CTA or MRA confirmed basilar occlusion.

Intervention: Patients will be randomised between BMM with additional IAT versus BMM alone. IAT has to be initiated within 6 hours from estimated time of BAO. If treated with as part of BMM, IVT should be started within 4.5 hours of estimated time of BAO.

Main study parameters/endpoints: Favorable outcome at day 90 defined as a modified Rankin Score (mRS - functional scale) of 0-3.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Intracranial Occlusion of internal carotid arteries and/or proximal middle cerebral (segment M1) diagnosis made on initial Imaging.
* Reperfusion after a thrombectomy procedure (defined by a 2b-3 TICI score -Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction- score).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Per-procedure hemorrhagic complications (prior to reperfusion)
* Systolic blood pressure at baseline \<130 mm Hg within one hour of recanalization
* Pre-existing stroke handicap defined by a Rankin score (modified scale, mRS)\> 3
* Hemodynamically significant carotid stenosis
* Occlusion of the isolated cervical carotid artery
* Known pregnancy
* Legal protection
* Non-affiliation to a social security scheme
* Refusal of the patient (or of his / her relatives in case of urgent inclusion)
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 and older (i.e., candidates must have had their 18th birthday)
2. NIHSS ≥8 at the time of neuroimaging
3. Presenting or persistent symptoms within 6-12 hours of when groin puncture can be obtained
4. Neuroimaging demonstrates large vessel proximal occlusion (distal ICA through MCA M1 bifurcation)
5. The operator feels that the stroke can be appropriately treated with traditional endovascular techniques (endovascular mechanical thrombectomy without adjunctive devices such as stents)
6. Pts are within 6-12 hours of symptom onset, that have received IV-tPA without improvement in symptoms are eligible for this study. Patients presenting earlier than 6 hours should be treated according to local standard of care.
7. Pre-event Modified Rankin Scale score 0-1
8. Consenting requirements met according to local IRB

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is less than 6-hours from symptom onset
2. Rapidly improving neurologic examination
3. Absence of large vessel occlusion on non-invasive imaging
4. Known or suspected pre-existing (chronic) large vessel occlusion in the symptomatic territory
5. Absence of an associated large penumbra as defined by physiologic imaging according to standard of practice at the participating institution
6. Any intracranial hemorrhage in the last 90 days
7. Known irreversible bleeding disorder
8. Known hereditary or acquired hemorrhagic diathesis, coagulation factor deficiency, or oral anticoagulant therapy with INR \> 2.5 or institutionally equivalent prothrombin time of 2.5 times normal
9. Platelet count \< 100 x 103 cells/mm3 or known platelet dysfunction
10. Inability to tolerate, clinically documented evidence in medical history of adverse reaction to, or contraindication to medications used in treatment of the stroke
11. Contraindication to CT and MRI (i.e., iodine contrast allergy or other condition that prohibits imaging from either CT or MRI)
12. Known allergy to contrast used in angiography that cannot be medically controlled
13. Relative contraindication to angiography (e.g., serum creatinine \> 2.5 mg/dL)
14. Women who are currently pregnant or breast-feeding (Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test prior to the study procedure (either serum or urine)
15. Evidence of active infection (indicated by fever at or over 99.9 °F and/or open draining wound) at the time of randomization
16. Current use of cocaine or other vasoactive substance
17. Any comorbid disease or condition expected to compromise survival or ability to complete follow-up assessments through 90 days
18. Patients who lack the necessary mental capacity to participate or are unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol's follow up appointment schedule (based on the investigator's judgment)

Head CT or MRI Scan Exclusion Criteria

* Presence of blood on imaging (subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), etc.)
* High density lesion consistent with hemorrhage of any degree
* Significant mass effect with midline shift
* Large (more than 1/3 of the middle cerebral artery) regions of clear hypodensity on the baseline CT scan or ASPECTS of \< 7; Sulcal effacement and/or loss of grey-white differentiation alone are not contraindications for treatment
C: Inclusion Criteria:

Age ≥18 years; Diagnosis of AIS with LVO confirmed by brain imaging; To receive MT \<24 hours after AIS onset according to local guidelines; Successful recanalization (TICI score ≥2b) after MT; Sustained systolic BP ≥140 mmHg (defined as 2 successive readings \<10 mins) within 3 hours after recanalization; Provide written informed consent (or approved surrogate).

Exclusion Criteria:

Unlikely to potentially benefit from therapy (e.g. advanced dementia) or very high likelihood of death within 24 hours post-MT, judged by responsible treating clinician; Other medical illness that interferes with outcome assessments and follow-up (e.g. known significant pre-stroke disability (mRS scores 3-5), advance cancer and renal failure); Definite indication/contraindication to different intensities of BP lowering treatment; Specific contraindications to any of the BP agents to be used (eg, patients who are hypersensitive (allergic) to any of the ingredients); Patients with aortic isthmus stenosis and arteriovenous shunt (exception: patients with haemodynamically inactive dialysis shunt); Women who are lactating; Currently participating in another trial which would interfere with outcome assessments.
D: Inclusion criteria

* Symptoms and signs compatible with ischemia in the basilar artery territory.
* Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) confirmed by CTA or MRA.
* Age 18 years or older (i.e., candidates must have had their 18th birthday).
* If IVT is considered as part of best medical management, IVT should be started within 4.5 hours of estimated time of BAO. (Estimated time of BAO is defined as time of onset of acute symptoms leading to clinical diagnosis of BAO or if not known last time patient was seen normal prior to onset of these symptoms).
* Initiation of IAT should be feasible within 6 hours of estimated time of BAO.

Exclusion criteria

* Pre-existing dependency with mRankin ≥3.
* Females of childbearing potential who are known to be pregnant and/or lactating or who have positive pregnancy tests on admission.
* Patients who require hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
* Other serious, advanced, or terminal illness.
* Any other condition that the investigator feels would pose a significant hazard to the patient if thrombolytic therapy is initiated.
* Current participation in another research drug treatment protocol (patient cannot start another experimental agent until after 90 days).
* Informed consent is not or cannot be obtained.

Imaging exclusion criteria

* High-density lesion consistent with hemorrhage of any degree.
* Significant cerebellar mass effect or acute hydrocephalus.
* Bilateral extended brainstem ischemia.

Answer: D