Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients With Cervical Artery Dissection: A Secondary Analysis of the STOP-CAD Study.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-8-2024

Publication Title

Neurology

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) accounts for 25% of ischemic strokes in young adults. This study evaluated the benefits and harms of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients presenting with spontaneous CeAD and acute ischemic stroke symptoms.

METHODS: This analysis used data from the retrospective STOP-CAD study and included patients with spontaneous CeAD who presented within 1 day of acute ischemic stroke symptoms. Patients were dichotomized into those who received IVT and those managed without IVT. We assessed the association between IVT and 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale scores 0-2) and the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH, defined as ICH causing new or worsening neurologic symptoms within 72 hours after CeAD diagnosis).

RESULTS: This study included 1,653 patients from the original STOP-CAD cohort of 4,023. The median age was 49 years, and 35.1% were women; 512 (31.0%) received IVT. IVT was associated with 90-day functional independence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.67, 95% CI 1.23-2.28,

DISCUSSION: In patients with spontaneous CeAD and suspected ischemic stroke, IVT improved functional outcomes, without increasing symptomatic ICH risk. These findings support current guideline recommendations to consider thrombolysis for otherwise eligible patients with CeAD.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that IVT significantly increases the probability of 90-day functional independence in patients with CeAD.

Volume

103

Issue

7

First Page

209843

DOI

10.1212/WNL.0000000000209843

ISSN

1526-632X

PubMed ID

39298709

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