Number needed to treat with intravenous tenecteplase to reduce the need for mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke patients: A retrospective look at real-world experience data.

Objective: We sought to describe short term outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVOAIS) who were treated with intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) as compared to alteplase (tPA), focusing on reduction in the need for mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Background: In LVOAIS, TNK has shown improved reperfusion and outcomes with a similar safety profile to tPA. Ultra-early reperfusion has been described with TNK which would prevent the need for MT. We analyze the magnitude of this effect in a "real-world" setting.

Design/methods: In this retrospective study, demographic, clinical, and imaging information from patients with LVOAIS treated with intravenous thrombolysis was collected. Data was compared between the group treated with TNK and tPA.

Results: One hundred eighty-six patients met the criteria for the study. Of these,144patients received tPA and 42 received TNK. Nine had clinical improvement prior to groin puncture and did not require angiography. When combining the number of patients who had recanalization on angiography before MT and those who had clinical improvement prior to angiography, there were a total of 23 patients. This was noted in 9.7 % of patients who received tPA and 21.4 % of those who received TNK (p = 0.043). For patients treated with TNK we observed a rapid clinical improvement, improved NIHSS, improved functional outcomes and decreased length of stay compared to patients treated with tPA. For patients with spontaneous recanalization either angiographically or with clinical improvement from intravenous thrombolysis, MT may not be required.

Conclusions: Intravenous TNK in patients with LVOAIS decreases the need for MT, and is associated with improved outcomes and reduced length of stay.