Clinical efficacy of tirofiban combined with a Solitaire stent in treating acute ischemic stroke

Nomogram for predicting amputation-free survival in acute lower limb ischemia patients treated by endovascular therapy

Objectives

To develop a novel and accurate nomogram to predict survival without amputation in patients with acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) during the first year following endovascular therapy.

Methods

Patients with ALLI who underwent endovascular therapy in our department between January 2012 and September 2020 were screened and included in the research. The included patients were randomly divided into a training and validation cohorts, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used in the training cohort to identify independent risk factors for amputation-free survival (AFS). A nomogram was then developed according to the identified independent risk factors. The nomogram was then validated in the validation cohort.

Results

415 Chinese patients with 417 affected limbs were included in this study. Among these patients, 311 patients were classified into the training cohort and 104 patients were assigned to the validation cohort. Most patients were men (n = 240) and the average age of patients was 71.43 (standard deviation 8.86) years old. After the univariate and multivariate analyses, advanced age (p < 0.001), history of smoking (p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), and insufficient outflow (p = 0.001) were revealed as independent risk factors for AFS during the first year. The nomogram yielded AUROC values of 0.912 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.873-0.950) and 0.889 (95 % CI: 0.812-0.967) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

Conclusion

Advanced age, history of smoking, atrial fibrillation, and insufficient outflow were independent negative predictors for AFS in ALLI patients treated by endovascular therapy. The novel nomogram offered an accurate prediction of AFS in ALLI patients.

Does Endovascular Thrombectomy(ET) plus tirofiban benefit stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Endovascular thrombectomy (ET) has been shown to prevent disability in a proportion of patients. The use of tirofiban in patients undergoing ET after acute stroke has resulted in improved patient function and reduced mortality to some extent. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of the current period, an overview of the most recent studies on the potential efficacy of using tirofiban to help acute stroke patients improve function and reduce mortality was provided.

METHODS

In this meta-analysis, we explore the safety and efficacy of ET combined with tirofiban in patients with acute stroke. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library database from the construction of the library to the present relevant RCTs/non-RCTs. The following key words were used for finding relevant studies from the databases"tirofiban""thrombectomy"" Stroke"" balloon angioplasty""stenting".

RESULTS

Total of 14 trials with 4366 individuals enrolled were included in the Meta-analysis including 2732(62.6) who received ET alone and 1634(37.4 %) who received tirofiban plus ET. The primary outcome of 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin scale (mRS) score≤2) was 42.2 % (1043/2473) in the ET alone group vs. 46.2 % (684/1480) in the tirofiban with ET group (risk ratio (RR), 1.10 [95 % CI, 1.02-1.18]; P=0.02),mortality at 90 days (RR, 0.86 [95 % CI, 0.76-0.98]; P = 0.02). There is no significant between-group differences were found in excellent outcome (mRS score ≤1) (RR, 1.08 [95 % CI, 0.95-1.23]; P = 0.22), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR, 1.11 [95 % CI, 0.92-1.34]; P = 0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the use of ET combined with tirofiban in patients with acute stroke is safe and has the potential to reduce mortality and improve functional independence at 90 days.

Efficacy and safety of tirofiban in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy: A frequentist and Bayesian meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tirofiban is an antiplatelet treatment approved for acute coronary syndrome, but it has not been rigorously evaluated for efficacy and safety in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).

METHODS

Electronic databases were systematically searched for studies conducted from January 1, 2015, to July 31, 2021, that evaluated tirofiban administration for patients with AIS treated with EVT in comparison with control. Risk ratios (RRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for favorable functional outcomes (FFOs), mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), each 90 days after AIS. Bayesian hierarchical modeling was performed to obtain posterior RR and its 95% highest posterior density (HPD) for validation.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, tirofiban users exhibited increased FFOs (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.30), decreased mortality (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.92), and no difference in SICH (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.77-1.23). Tirofiban users in the postbolus infusion subgroup exhibited increased FFOs (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.35), decreased mortality (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.58-0.88), and no increase in SICH (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.72-1.29). The bolus-only subgroup showed no differences in FFO, mortality, or SICH between the tirofiban and control groups. Consistent results were obtained for posterior density of FFO (posterior RR, 1.20; 95% HPD, 1.06-1.34), mortality (posterior RR, 0.77; 95% HPD, 0.63-0.92), and SICH (posterior RR, 0.98; 95% HPD, 0.71-1.26).

CONCLUSION

For patients with AIS treated with EVT, tirofiban improved FFOs, decreased mortality, and did not increase SICH compared with controls; postbolus infusion for administering tirofiban was more favored than the bolus-only regimen.

Anaesthetic and peri-operative management for thrombectomy procedures in stroke patients

PURPOSE

To provide recommendations for the anaesthetic and peri-operative management for thrombectomy procedure in stroke patients DESIGN: A consensus committee of 15 experts issued from the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société Française d'Anesthésie et Réanimation, SFAR), the Association of French-language Neuro-Anaesthetists (Association des Neuro-Anesthésistes Réanimateurs de Langue Francaise, ANARLF), the French Neuro-Vascular Society (Société Francaise de Neuro-Vasculaire, SFNV), the French Neuro-Radiology Society (Société Francaise de Neuro-Radiologie, SFNR) and the French Study Group on Haemostasis and Thrombosis (Groupe Français d'Études sur l'Hémostase et la Thrombose, GFHT) was convened, under the supervision of two expert coordinators from the SFAR and the ANARLF. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the outset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guideline elaboration process was conducted independently of any industry funding. The authors were required to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide their assessment of quality of evidence.

METHODS

Four fields were defined prior to the literature search: (1) Peri-procedural management, (2) Prevention and management of secondary brain injuries, (3) Management of antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments, (4) Post-procedural management and orientation of the patient. Questions were formulated using the PICO format (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes) and updated as needed. Analysis of the literature was then conducted and the recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

The SFAR/ANARLF/SFNV/SFNR/GFHT guideline panel drew up 18 recommendations regarding anaesthetic management of mechanical thrombectomy procedures. Due to a lack of data in the literature allowing to conclude with high certainty on relevant clinical outcomes, the experts decided to formulate these guidelines as "Professional Practice Recommendations" (PPR) rather than "Formalized Expert Recommendations". After two rounds of rating and several amendments, a strong agreement was reached on 100% of the recommendations. No recommendation could be formulated for two questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Strong agreement among experts was reached to provide a sizable number of recommendations aimed at optimising anaesthetic management for thrombectomy in patients suffering from stroke.

Solitaire™ Stent Thrombectomy System in the Treatment of Acute Lower-Limb Ischemia: Comparisons in Safety and Effectiveness with Conventional Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Therapy

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Solitaire™ AB Stent System (ev3 Inc., Plymouth, MN, USA) for the treatment of acute lower extremity ischemia (ALLI) compared with conventional catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients with ALLI treated in the Department of Interventional Radiology at the First Hospital of Nanjing from January 2017 to April 2020 divided into a conventional (CDT) group (n = 106) and a percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) group (n = 55) according to the procedure. PMT was performed using the Solitaire™ AB stent system. The combined clinical outcomes of mortality, major amputation, recurrent ischemia, and major morbidity were compared between the two groups.

Results

Of the 161 patients, 128 (79.5%) did not have a composite clinical outcome after 12 months of follow-up, namely, 78 CDT patients and 50 PMT patients, with significant differences in composite clinical outcome (26.4% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.010) and mortality (19.8% vs. 7.3%, P = 0.037) between them. Thrombolytic drug dose (19.34 ± 5.93 vs. 13.55 ± 6.54 mg, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (8.29 ± 3.91 vs. 5.49 ± 1.18 days, P = 0.003) were significantly lower in the PMT group.

Conclusion

PMT with the Solitaire™ AB Stent System is safer and more effective in treating patients with Rutherford stage I-IIB ALLI, with the advantage of rapid opening of obstructed vessels, shorter thrombolysis time, reduced thrombolytic dose, and improved blood flow to the infrapopliteal vessels.

Continuous intravenous tirofiban can improve the 90-day functional outcome and decrease 90-day mortality without increasing bleeding risk in acute ischemic stroke patients treated by endovascular therapy: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The role of continuous intravenous administration of tirofiban in endovascular therapy is still unclear. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the 90-day functional prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) treated by endovascular treatment and intravenous administration of tirofiban.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases with the subject terms "tirofiban", "brain ischemia", and some related free words. Inclusion criteria were: (1) cohort study or randomized control trials; (2) AIS patients who received endovascular therapy; (3) the intervention or exposure was intravenous tirofiban monotherapy or combined with intra-arterial tirofiban; (4) containing data on modified Rankin Scale at 90 days and including at least one of the following indicators: mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and recanalization. A summary odds ratio was calculated.

RESULTS

Twelve eligible studies, consisting of 3268 AIS participants, were identified. There was a significant trend of favorable outcomes (measured by mRS at three months) in the tirofiban group (ORs = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.09-1.70). In addition, compared with the non-tirofiban group, intravenous tirofiban was significantly associated with decreased risk of 90-day mortality (ORs = 0.73; 95% CI:0.59-0.89) and increased recanalization rate (ORs = 1.50; 95% CI:1.08-2.09) but no significant difference in rates of sICH (ORs = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.70-1.24) or ICH (ORs = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.62-1.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous tirofiban appears to be safe and effective when used following intra-arterial tirofiban or as monotherapy in AIS patients treated by endovascular therapy, which can improve the 90-day functional outcome, decrease the 90-day mortality and increase the possibility of early recanalization without increasing rates of sICH and ICH.

The Predictive Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Combined with Serum miR-124 Level in Acute Cerebral Infarction and Their Correlation with the Contrast Enhancement of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the predictive value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with serum miR-124 level in acute cerebral infarction (ACI) and their association with the contrast enhancement of carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

METHODS

Totally 60 patients diagnosed with ACI and 60 controls were included in the study. All the subjects had carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and all of them were examined by CEUS and were tested for serum miR-124 levels.

RESULTS

Time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (MTT) in the ACI group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.05), but the peak intensity ratio (PIR), the area under the curve (AUC), and relative expression levels of serum miR-124 were notably greater in the ACI group (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in TTP, MTT, PIR, AUC, and serum miR-124 expression in patients with different cerebral infarct areas in the ACI group (P < 0.05). Besides, the sensitivity and specificity of serum miR-124 levels for the prediction of ACI were 71.67% and 90.00%, respectively, with a cut-off value of 1.52, and the sensitivity was 86.67% and specificity was 93.33% of CEUS combined with serum miR-124 in the prediction of ACI. The ACI group showed a higher proportion of grades 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the intraplaque contrast enhancement was negatively related to TTP and MTT but had a positive correlation with PIR, AUC, and serum miR-124 levels.

CONCLUSION

Grades 2 and 3 intraplaque contrast enhancement and serum miR-124 level of 1.52 had high sensitivity and specificity to predict ACI. Moreover, the CEUS parameters combined with serum miR-124 level could improve the performance in predicting ACI and had auxiliary value in evaluating the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Association between tirofiban monotherapy and efficacy and safety in acute ischemic stroke

Background

Studies have suggested that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists such as tirofiban are beneficial for patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, it is still uncertain about the efficacy and safety of tirofiban in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

In this prospective non-randomized study, 255 AIS patients were recruited from 4 comprehensive stroke centers in China between January, 2017 and May, 2018. Among them,169 patients were treated with aspirin plus clopidogrel and 86 patients were treated with tirofiban. The primary functional outcome was the distribution of the 90 days’ modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The safety outcomes included the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) at discharge and mortality at 3 months.

Results

In the propensity score matched cohort, tirofiban alone was noninferior to the dual antiplatelet with regard to the primary outcome (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 2.04; P = 0.93). Mortality at 90 days was 10% in the dual antiplatelet group and 8% in the tirofiban group (adjusted odds ratio 0.75; 95% CI 0.08 to 7.40, p = 0.81). There was no difference of the ICH rate between two groups (adjusted odds ratio 0.44; 95% CI 0.13 to 1.48, p = 0.18). In the inverse probability of treatment weighting-propensity score-adjusted cohort, similar differences were found for functional and safety outcomes.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that tirofiban use appears to be safe as monotherapy in AIS treatment compared with common dual antiplatelet therapy, however, no improvement in functional outcomes was found.

Trial registration

Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR2000034443, 05/07/2020. Retrospectively registered.

Antiplatelet therapy and outcomes following endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke: A systemic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The outcomes of antiplatelet therapy (APT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) receiving endovascular therapy (EVT) remains controversial. Thus, we sought to make a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent clinical trials to confirm the safety and efficacy of APT.

METHODS

All of clinical trails were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane. The endpoints or main outcome measures included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), 3-month mortality, successful recanalisation (SR) and 3-month functional independence (FI). Odd ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to synthesize effect size by using random-effects models. Sensitivity analysis was performed via calculation of rest data owiting one by one.

RESULTS

23 articles were included after screening. APT as an adjunct to EVT was associated with a higher likelihood of pooled successful recanalisation (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-2.00) and 3-month FI (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.51), no associated with sICH and 3-month mortality. However, Sensitivity analysis indicated that the association between APT and SR and 3-month FI were unstable. For patients with prior use of APT or receiving intravenous thrombolysis before EVT, no associated were found between APT and all of endpoints above.

CONCLUSION

Although adjuvant APT appears to increase the number of SR and 3-month FI, the results were unstable. Randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy.

Intra-Arterial Adjunctive Medications for Acute Ischemic Stroke During Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion, the role of intra-arterial adjunctive medications (IAMs), such as urokinase, tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator), or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has not been clearly established. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concomitant or rescue IAM for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion patients undergoing MT.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register databases from inception until March 13, 2020. We analyzed all studies with patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion in the anterior or posterior circulation that provided data for the two treatment arms, (1) MT+IAM and (2) MT only, and also reported on at least one of the following efficacy outcomes, recanalization and 90-day modified Rankin Scale, or safety outcomes, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality. Data were collated in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

RESULTS

Sixteen nonrandomized observational studies with a total of 4581 patients were analyzed. MT only was performed in 3233 (70.6%) patients, while 1348 (29.4%) patients were treated with both MT and IAM. As compared with patients treated with MT alone, patients treated with combination therapy (MT+IAM) had a higher likelihood of achieving good functional outcome (risk ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.03-1.24]) and a lower risk of 90-day mortality (risk ratio, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.72-0.94]). There was no significant difference in successful recanalization (risk ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.99-1.06]) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage between the two groups (risk ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.87-1.46]).

CONCLUSIONS

In acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion, the use of IAM together with MT may achieve better functional outcomes and lower mortality rates. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of IAM as adjunctive treatment to MT.

Sequential tirofiban infusions combined with endovascular treatment may improve outcomes in acute ischemic stroke - a meta-analysis

In this meta-analysis, we explored whether tirofiban could safely improve outcomes when combined with endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases from January 2000 to October 2019 for relevant RCTs/non-RCTs. A total of 13 trials involving 2584 patients, of whom 893 (34.5%) received tirofiban, were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. The results suggested that tirofiban improved patient independence at 90 days (51.2% vs 42.4%; OR 1.26; p =0.02) without increasing the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 1.01; p =0.96) or mortality (OR 0.86; p =0.09). There was no association between the use of tirofiban and recanalization rate (OR 1.35; p =0.11). Subgroup analysis showed that a loading dose followed by maintenance doses, but not a single dose, of tirofiban increased favorable 90-day functional outcomes (OR 1.49; p =0.0008). Moreover, low maintenance doses may be more effective than high maintenance doses (OR 1.41; p =0.02). These results suggest that adjunctive tirofiban treatment administered as a loading dose followed by low-dose maintenance may improve functional outcomes of endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke.

Efficacy and safety of rescue angioplasty and/or stenting for acute large artery occlusion with underlying intracranial atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting implantation is an important rescue treatment for the management of intracranial atherosclerosis-related occlusion (ICAS-O) after mechanical thrombectomy failure, but its safety and efficacy remain unclear. We investigated the safety and efficacy of rescue intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting for emergent large artery occlusion (LAO) with underlying ICAS.

METHODS

We searched for relevant full-text articles in EMBASE, PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to March 1, 2020. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), mortality, recanalization rate and favorable clinical outcome at 90 days between ICAS-O group treated by rescue therapy and Non ICAS-O group. RStudio software 1.3.959 was used to perform this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included with a total of 1639 patients, of which 450 (27.5 %) were in the ICAS-O group treated with intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting, and 1189 (72.5 %) were in the Non ICAS-O group. Overall, intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting did not improve the recanalization rate (OR, 0.67 [0.26-1.76]; p = 0.419) or favorable functional outcome (OR, 1.01 [0.64-1.58]; p = 0.97) in patients with underlying ICAS-O, and the risk of sICH (OR, 0.99 [0.59-1.68]; p = 0.983) and mortality (OR, 1.26 [0.87-1.83]; p = 0.225) did not significantly differ between ICAS-O and Non ICAS-O.

CONCLUSIONS

From these observational study results, rescue intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting seems safe in patients with emergent LAO after attempted thrombectomy, but further rigorous studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy.

The Application of Tirofiban in the Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tirofiban during endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies (published before May 1, 2020; no language restrictions) comparing tirofiban administration to blank control during EVT in patients with AIS. Our primary end points were the 3-month functional outcome, recanalization rate, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and 3-month mortality.

RESULTS

The incidence of 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 score of the tirofiban group was higher than that of the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% CI [1.09, 1.48], p = 0.002) with heterogeneity (I2 = 34%, p = 0.11). Data pooled from the 6 studies describing the details of retriever stent in EVT revealed that tirofiban was associated with higher incidence of 3-month mRS 0-2 score (OR = 1.48, 95% CI [1.11, 1.96], p = 0.007). The recanalization rate was higher in the tirofiban group compared to the control group (OR = 1.66, 95% CI [1.16, 2.39], p = 0.006). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.73, 1.31], p = 0.86) and intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 1.08, 95% CI [0.59, 1.97], p = 0.80) between tirofiban and non-tirofiban group. Besides, the tirofiban administration was associated with lower mortality (OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.62, 0.91], p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of tirofiban in EVT of AIS may improve functional outcomes and reduce mortality at 3 months. Besides, tirofiban does not seem to increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and intracranial hemorrhage, either in the anterior or posterior circulation stroke.

Safety and efficacy of tirofiban combined with endovascular therapy compared with endovascular therapy alone in acute ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis

Endovascular treatment (EVT) has been widely used for treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the safety and efficacy of treating AIS with tirofiban combined with EVT remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate this treatment. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that compared treatment with tirofiban combined with EVT and EVT alone were included in our meta-analysis. Those published from inception to March 31, 2020, were searched using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Safety was assessed based on symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) incidence and 3-month mortality. Efficacy was assessed based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months post-EVT and recanalization rates. Data were analyzed using either the random-effects or fixed-effects model based on the heterogeneity of studies. In total, one RCT, six prospective studies, and four retrospective studies (2387 AIS cases) were assessed. Our meta-analysis showed that tirofiban combined with EVT did not increase sICH risk (RR, 1.06; 95%CI, 0.79 to 1.42; P = 0.72) and 3-month mortality (RR, 0.87; 95%CI, 0.74 to 1.04; P = 0.12). Recanalization rates were not significantly different between patients treated with tirofiban combined with EVT and those treated with EVT alone (RR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.00 to 1.08; P = 0.07), but tirofiban combined with EVT was significantly associated with favorable functional outcomes (mRS score, 0-2) in AIS patients (RR, 1.13; 95%CI, 1.02 to 1.25; P = 0.02). Tirofiban combined with EVT appears to be safe and potentially effective in treating AIS.

Efficacy and safety of tirofiban therapy in patients receiving endovascular treatment after large vessel ischaemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although tirofiban therapy is considered a potentially effective treatment to reduce the incidence of thrombotic complications in patients receiving endovascular treatment (EVT), the safety and efficacy of tirofiban remain controversial. Our objective was to investigate the efficacy and safety of EVT plus tirofiban therapy in patients with emergent large artery occlusion.

METHODS

Relevant articles from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies that compared treatment with tirofiban to treatment without tirofiban in patients undergoing EVT were retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the safety and efficacy outcomes based on a random effects model.

RESULTS

Twelve studies including 2533 patients were identified for the analysis. Overall, the risk of fatal intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) was higher for the treatment with tirofiban group than for the treatment without tirofiban group in patients with large artery occlusion who underwent EVT (p = 0.002), whereas the risk of any ICH, symptomatic ICH, parenchymal haematoma type 2, in-hospital mortality and 3-month mortality did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). No significant differences in reocclusion rate, recanalization rate or excellent functional outcome were found between the patients treated with or without tirofiban, but significantly favourable functional outcome at 3 months occurred in the tirofiban group (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Tirofiban administration in patients receiving EVT significantly improved 3-month favourable functional outcomes, whereas an increased risk of fatal ICH was also observed. Further rigorous trials are needed to verify the safety of tirofiban.

Safety and Efficacy of Intra-arterial Tirofiban Injection During Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Artery Occlusion

Objective:

The safety and effect of intra-arterial (IA) tirofiban, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, during the stent retriever mechanical thrombectomy (MT) was investigated.

Methods:

From January 2015 to May 2019, a total of 327 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy of large artery occlusions (LAO). Patients were classified into two groups: MT with IA tirofiban (MTT) group and MT only (MTO, without IA tirofiban) group. Clinical outcomes, radiological results, and various complications, such as post thrombectomy hemorrhage, symptomatic hemorrhage, other systemic bleeding, and hemorrhagic transformation of infarct were evaluated by comparing the MTT group and MTO group. In addition, subgroup analysis was performed for patients who underwent MT with prior intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).

Results:

The MTT group needed a lower mean number of stent passes and showed a re-occlusion rate as compared with the MTO group (P=0.038 and 0.022, respectively). Between the two groups, there were no statistically significant differences in post thrombectomy hemorrhage, symptomatic hemorrhage, other systemic bleeding complications, or hemorrhagic transformation of infarct (P = 0.511, 0.397, 0.429, and 0.355, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, similar findings were observed.

Conclusion:

The use of IA tirofiban during MT seems to be safe and potentially more effective than only MT without IA tirofiban, even in patients who used IV t-PA before MT.