Acute stroke intervention with intraarterial urokinase infusion.

PURPOSE: A preliminary evaluation of the efficacy and safety of treating patients with acute stroke with intraarterial urokinase infusions was performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with acute stroke were treated within 8 hours of symptom onset (average, 5 hours). Thrombolysis was performed within the middle cerebral (n = 10), internal carotid (n = 1), and basilar (n = 1) arteries. Urokinase (160,000-500,000 IU) was infused through microcatheters placed into or adjacent to the thrombi. RESULTS: Thrombolysis was angiographically successful in nine patients (75%), all of whom had long-term neurologic improvement. No or minimal neurologic deficits were present in six patients (50%). Thrombolysis failed in three patients (25%); one patient died and two developed severe permanent neurologic deficits. No hemorrhagic complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that intraarterial urokinase infusion may be effective and safe for treating patients with acute stroke. Potentially devastating neurologic damage was averted or lessened in nine patients (75%). No additional neurologic damage was caused by intervention in the remaining three patients (25%).