Jack Rose

Generalized Safety and Efficacy of Simplified Intravenous Thrombolysis Treatment (SMART) Criteria in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The MULTI SMART Study

BACKGROUND Common intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) exclusion criteria may substantially limit the use of thrombolysis. Preliminary data have shown that the SMART (Simplified Management of Acute stroke using Revised Treatment) criteria greatly expand patient eligibility by reducing thrombolysis exclusions, but they have not been assessed on a large scale. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of general adoption of SMART thrombolysis criteria to a large regional stroke network. METHODS Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who received IV thrombolysis within a regional stroke network was performed. Patients were divided into those receiving thrombolysis locally versus at an outside hospital. The primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale score (≤1) at discharge and the main safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rate. RESULTS There were 539 consecutive patients, and 50.5% received thrombolysis at an outside facility. Ninety percent of the patients possessed common conventional IV rt-PA contraindications. There were no significant differences between local and network treated patients in favorable outcome (45.4% versus 37.4%; odds ratio [OR], .72; P > .09), mortality (9% versus 14%; OR, 1.6; P > .07), or sICH rate (2.6% versus 5.1%; OR, 2.0; P = .13). Multivariate analysis showed no association between receiving IV rt-PA at an outlying spoke hospital and higher rate of sICH or worse outcome at discharge. CONCLUSIONS Generalized application of SMART criteria is safe and effective. Widespread application of these criteria could substantially increase the proportion of patients who might qualify for treatment.

Blood Pressure Management After Central Nervous System Injury

Uncontrolled hypertension is often encountered after brain injury. The mechanisms surrounding this physiopathological response are related to autoregulatory responses aimed at preserving the cerebral blood flow in injured areas. The initial hypertensive response may precipitate further injury. Conversely, aggressive blood pressure reduction may be associated with ischemia. Despite the clear role of blood pressure as a modulator of acute brain injury, there is considerable controversy and a lack of high-quality data regarding the demographics, outcomes, and optimal management of high blood pressure in acute brain-injured patients. Recognition of the autoregulatory abnormalities seen after brain injury and careful control of blood pressure are necessary for the optimal management of these patients.