Abstract T P61: Patients With Acute Stroke Involving More Than One-Third Middle Cerebral Artery Territory Should Not be Excluded From Intravenous Thrombolysis

Background and aim: Involvement of more than one-third of middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on initial brain CT is a relative contraindication for IV-tPA and often associated with increased bleeding risk. Involvement of more than 1/3 MCA territory on initial CT is associated with poor functional outcome at 3 months. We present the results of IV-thrombolysis among these patients at our tertiary care centre. Methods: Data from consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with IV-tPA within 4.5 hours between January 2009 to August 2012 were included. The collected data included demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and blood pressure levels before IV-tPA bolus. The presence of early stroke signs involving more than 1/3 of the MCA on the initial CT scan was measured by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS ≤7). Outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Results: A total of 97 AIS pat...