Early Antiplatelet Administration After Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREND-IVT)

Summary

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and ischemic stroke is the most frequent type. Intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 hours of symptom onset is the most effective therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, ischemic stroke progression and early reocclusion are not an uncommon phenomenon in patients after intravenous thrombolysis, resulting in neurological deterioration, which is associated with unfavorable functional outcomes. The underlying mechanism mainly involves the augmented platelet activation, triggered by the activated coagulation cascade during thrombolysis, which peaks within 2 hours of initiating rt-PA administration. Therefore, early antiplatelet therapy following intravenous thrombolysis represents a promising therapeutic approach to prevent neurological deterioration and improve the functional outcome of patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Currently, guidelines recommend initiating antiplatelet therapy 24 hours after intravenous thrombolysis due to the potential risk of increased bleeding. The safety and efficacy of early antiplatelet treatment following intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke remain clear. The study aims to test the hypothesis that in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis, early administration of oral aspirin will improve functional outcomes without increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

Timeline

Start

2024-11-07

Primary completion

2026-03

Completion

2026-03

Publications

• Background Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Ackerson T, Adeoye OM, Bambakidis NC, Becker K, Biller J, Brown M, Demaerschalk BM, Hoh B, Jauch EC, Kidwell CS, Leslie-Mazwi TM, Ovbiagele B, Scott PA, Sheth KN, Southerland AM, Summers DV, Tirschwell DL. Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2019 Dec;50(12):e344-e418. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000211. Epub 2019 Oct 30.
• Background Demaerschalk BM, Kleindorfer DO, Adeoye OM, Demchuk AM, Fugate JE, Grotta JC, Khalessi AA, Levy EI, Palesch YY, Prabhakaran S, Saposnik G, Saver JL, Smith EE; American Heart Association Stroke Council and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. Scientific Rationale for the Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria for Intravenous Alteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2016 Feb;47(2):581-641. doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000086. Epub 2015 Dec 22.
• Background Wu C, Sun C, Wang L, Lian Y, Xie N, Huang S, Zhao W, Ren M, Wu D, Ding J, Song H, Wang Y, Ma Q, Ji X. Low-Dose Tirofiban Treatment Improves Neurological Deterioration Outcome After Intravenous Thrombolysis. Stroke. 2019 Dec;50(12):3481-3487. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.026240. Epub 2019 Oct 1.
• Background Zinkstok SM, Roos YB; ARTIS investigators. Early administration of aspirin in patients treated with alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2012 Aug 25;380(9843):731-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60949-0. Epub 2012 Jun 28.
• Background Zhao W, Li S, Li C, Wu C, Wang J, Xing L, Wan Y, Qin J, Xu Y, Wang R, Wen C, Wang A, Liu L, Wang J, Song H, Feng W, Ma Q, Ji X; TREND Investigators. Effects of Tirofiban on Neurological Deterioration in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2024 Jun 1;81(6):594-602. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.0868.
• Wang J, Li S, Liu L, Ma Q, Li C, Wu C, Wu L, Song H, Ji X, Zhao W. Safety and Efficacy of Early Aspirin Administration After Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREND-IVT): Rationale and Design of a Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2026 Mar 3;15(5):e045180. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.125.045180. Epub 2026 Feb 20.

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