In this episode, we review the role and indications of thrombolytics in acute ischemic stroke. The efficacy, safety, administration considerations, and cost between alteplase and tenecteplase are compared and contrasted.

Key Concepts

1. Alteplase (Activase) is a recombinant DNA version of human TPA (tissue plasminogen activator). Tenecteplase (TNKase) is similar to human TPA except it has three amino acid changes that result in a longer half-life and higher fibrin specificity.
2. In patients with stroke, alteplase is given as a bolus followed by a 60-minute infusion. Tenecteplase is given as an IV bolus without the need for an infusion due to its longer half-life.
3. Tenecteplase is at least as safe and effective as alteplase in acute ischemic stroke (with some studies showing greater benefit with tenecteplase).
4. In patients with acute ischemic stroke who are candidates for mechanical thrombectomy, thrombolytics (with alteplase or tenecteplase) will still be given in patients who meet inclusion criteria and have no exclusion criteria.

References

• Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Ackerson T, et al. 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 [published correction appears in Stroke. 2019 Dec;50(12):e440-e441]. Stroke. 2019;50(12):e344-e418. doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000211
• Campbell BCV, Mitchell PJ, Churilov L, et al. Tenecteplase versus Alteplase before Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(17):1573-1582. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1716405
• Kobeissi H, Ghozy S, Turfe B, et al. Tenecteplase vs. alteplase for treatment of acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Front Neurol. 2023;14:1102463. Published 2023 Jan 23. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1102463