Argatroban in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke With Early Neurological Deterioration
Authors: Zhang Xuting , Zhong Wansi , Xue Rui , Jin Haidi , Gong Xiaoxian , Huang Yuhui , Chen Fujian , Chen Mozi , Gu Liqun , Ge Yebo , Ma Xiaodong , Zhong Bifeng , Wang Mengjie , Hu Haitao , Chen Zhicai , Yan Shenqiang , Chen Yi , Wang Xin , Zhang Xiaoling , Xu Dongjuan , He Yuping , Lou Minfang , Wang Aiju , Zhang Xiong , Ma Li , Lu Xiaodong , Wang Jianer , Lou Qiong , Qian Ping’an , Xie Guomin , Zhu Xiaofen , He Songbin , Hu Jin , Wen Xiongjie , Liu Yan , Wang Yanwen , Fu Jingjing , Fan Weinv , Liebeskind David , Yuan Changzheng , Lou Min 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceThe effect of argatroban in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and early neurological deterioration (END) is unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of argatroban for END in AIS.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis open-label, blinded–end point, randomized clinical trial was conducted from April 4, 2020, through July 31, 2022. The date of final follow-up was October 31, 2022. This was a multicenter trial. Eligible patients were adults with AIS who experienced END, which was defined as an increase of 2 or more points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale within 48 hours from symptom onset. Patients who withdrew consent, experienced duplicate randomization, or were lost to follow-up were excluded from the study.InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to the argatroban group and control group within 48 hours of symptom onset. Both groups received standard therapy based on guidelines, including oral mono or dual antiplatelet therapy. The argatroban group received intravenous argatroban for 7 days (continuous infusion at a dose of 60 mg per day for 2 days, followed by 20 mg per day for 5 days) in addition to standard therapy.Main Outcome and MeasureThe primary end point was good functional outcome at 90 days, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 3.ResultsA total of 628 patients (mean [SD] age, 65 [11.9] years; 400 male [63.7%]) were included in this study (argatroban group, 314 [50%] and control group, 314 [50%]). Of these, 18 withdrew consent, 1 had duplicate randomization, and 8 were lost to follow-up. A total of 601 patients with stroke were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Finally, 564 patients were included in the per-protocol analysis as 6 participants in the argatroban group and 31 participants in the control group did not follow the complete protocol. The number of patients with good functional outcome at 90 days was 240 (80.5%) in the argatroban group and 222 (73.3%) in the control group (risk difference, 7.2%; 95% CI, 0.6%-14.0%; risk ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01-1.20; P = .04). The proportion of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 3 of 317 (0.9%) in the argatroban group and 2 of 272 (0.7%) in the control group (P = .78).Conclusions and RelevanceAmong patients with AIS with END, treatment with argatroban and antiplatelet therapy resulted in a better functional outcome at 90 days. This trial provided evidence to support the use of argatroban in reducing disability for patients with END.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04275180