Abstract
BACKGROUND: In patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and concomitant non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), the role of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear. METHODS: We performed a subanalysis of the PRAISE (PRediction of Acute coronary syndrome in acute Ischemic StrokE) study, a multicentre, prospective observational study in 247 patients with AIS and elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin who underwent coronary angiography based on European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The impact of IVT prior to PCI on coronary artery flow (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score) and myocardial perfusion (TIMI myocardial perfusion score) was compared using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis, adjusting for time from stroke onset to PCI. RESULTS: Among 71 patients with AIS undergoing PCI, those who received IVT prior to PCI for NSTE-ACS (33 women; median age 77 (66-82 IQR)) achieved a TIMI grade 3 flow more frequently than those undergoing direct PCI (97% vs 79%; p=0.04). Regression analysis indicated a trend toward improved coronary artery flow with IVT (adjusted OR 8.5, 95% CI 0.9 to 75.3; p=0.05). Myocardial perfusion did not differ between groups (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This subanalysis suggests that IVT before PCI may enhance coronary artery flow in selected patients with NSTE-ACS with AIS. The results of this exploratory subanalysis warrant further investigation, particularly in patients with delayed access to PCI.