Alteplase-Tenecteplase Trial Evaluation for Stroke Thrombolysis

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Alteplase-Tenecteplase Trial Evaluation for Stroke Thrombolysis – pilot phase

• IRAS ID

  69002

• Contact name

  Keith Muir

• Sponsor organisation

  NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde R&D Office

• Eudract number

  2010-024541-67

• Research summary

  Thrombolysis (??clot-busting?) drug treatment for stroke significantly improves the chances of recovery when given early (within at most 4.5 hours of onset of the symptoms) in people with strokes caused by a blockage in a blood vessel (ischaemic stroke). Newer thrombolytic drugs have possible advantages over the routine thrombolytic drug (alteplase) used in stroke treatment. ATTEST is a pilot trial comparing standard alteplase against one such newer drug, tenecteplase, which is easier to use (single injection as opposed to being slowly given over an hour), more specifically able to act on recent clots (and therefore maybe cause less bleeding), better at dissolving clots (and therefore opens arteries faster) and which has no toxic effects on nerve cells (a possible problem with alteplase, at least in a test tube). Tenecteplase has been used in preference to older drugs like alteplase for several years to treat other conditions such as heart attacks, for these reasons. The trial will use advanced CT brain scanning to look at blood flow and major vessels in order to determine whether tenecteplase is potentially better, with the smallest number of patients possible to give an answer. If safe and effective in this pilot study, a larger definitive trial would be anticipated.

• REC name

  Scotland A REC

• REC reference

  11/SS/0039

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 Oct 2011

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion