Clinical outcomes and safety profile of Tenecteplase in wake-up stroke

BACKGROUND

Tenecteplase has probably pharmacological and clinical advantages in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. There are lacking data about safety and efficacy of tenecteplase in wake-up stroke (WUPS).

AIMS

To investigate safety and efficacy of tenecteplase compared to alteplase in WUPS patients included in NOR-TEST.

METHODS

WUPS patients in NOR-TEST were included in the study based on DWI-FLAIR mismatch. Included patients randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous tenecteplase 0.4 mg/kg (to a maximum of 40 mg) or alteplase 0.9 mg/kg (to a maximum of 90 mg). Neurological improvement was defined as 1) favorable functional outcome at 90 days modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0 or 1 and 2) neurological improvement measured with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 4 points within 24 hours as compared to admission NIHSS or NIHSS 0 at 24 hours.

RESULTS

Of 1100 patients from 13 stroke centers included in NOR-TEST, 45 were WUPS patients. Of these, 5 patients were stroke mimics and excluded. Of the remaining 40 patients (3.6%), 24 were treated with alteplase (60%). There was no difference in the number of patients achieving a good clinical outcome (mRS 0-1) in either treatment group. Patients treated with tenecteplase showed a better early neurological improvement (87.5% vs 54.2%, P = 0.027). No ICH was detected on MRI/CT 24-28 hours after thrombolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In WUPS patients treated in NOR-TEST, there was no difference in clinical outcomes at 90 days and no ICH events or deaths were observed in either alteplase- or tenecteplase-treated patients. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01949948.

Tenecteplase Versus Reteplase in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death throughout the world. One of the standard approaches to treatment of AMI is fibrinolysis. The study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of tenecteplase versus reteplase through network meta-analysis for AMI. Randomized trials were comprehensively searched in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, and Web of Science using appropriate strategies. Quality assessment was done for the papers. The primary and secondary end-points were mortality, TIMI grade 3 flow at 90 min, death or non-fatal stroke, infarction, total stroke and major bleeding. Odds ratios (OR) were computed (95% confidence intervals). After screening 27325 records, eight articles were included with total patients of 49875 to the meta-analysis. Indirect comparison of tenecteplase vs. reteplase showed no significant differences in the risk of mortality (OR = 0.98, p > 0.05), TIMI grade 3 flow at 90 min (OR = 0.77, p > 0.05), death or non-fatal stroke (OR = 1.04, p > 0.05), infarction (OR = 1.11, p > 0.05), total stroke (OR = 2.71, p > 0.05), and major bleeding (OR = 0.81, p > 0.05) (all p > 0.05). Indirect comparison suggests similar efficacy and safety of tenecteplase and reteplase. Hence, the use of each one of the two medicines depends on price, facility, and accessibility of the medicine.

Tenecteplase versus alteplase after acute ischemic stroke at high age

BACKGROUND

Stroke prevalence is increasing with age. Alteplase is the only agent approved for thrombolytic treatment for patients with ischemic stroke, including patients ≥80 years. In the present study, the aim was to compare efficacy and safety of tenecteplase and alteplase in patients ≥80 years.

METHODS

Data from the Norwegian Tenecteplase Stroke Trial, a randomized controlled trial comparing alteplase and tenecteplase, were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 273 patients ≥80 years included, mean age was 85.5 years.In the intention-to-treat analyses, 43.1% receiving tenecteplase and 39.9% receiving alteplase reached excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) after 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-1.85, p=0.59). No significant differences among patients in the two treatment groups regarding frequency of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage during the first 48 h were identified (11 (8.5%) in the tenecteplase group, 10 (7.0%) in the alteplase group, OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.50-3.00, p 0.65). Death within 3 months occurred in 18 patients (14.3%) in the tenecteplase group and in 21 (15.3%) in the alteplase group (p 0.84). After excluding stroke mimics, the proportion of patients with excellent functional outcome was 44.1% in the tenecteplase group and 34.4% in the alteplase group (OR 1.50 CI 0.90-2.52, p 0.12).

CONCLUSION

No differences in the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase versus alteplase in patients ≥80 years were identified.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01949948).

Tenecteplase versus alteplase in acute ischemic stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis

Tenecteplase is a product of genetic modification of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with superior pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. This meta-analysis was to determine whether intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke has better efficacy and safety outcomes than with intravenous alteplase. PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, WHO International clinical trials registry platform (ICTRP), Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), EU Clinical Trials Register (EU-CTR) and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for trials comparing tenecteplase with alteplase in acute ischemic stroke. Functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale at 90 days), early major neurological improvement, rates of any intracerebral haemorrhage, symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage and mortality rate at 90 days were the outcomes compared. Four randomized controlled trials involving 1334 patients were included. The Tenecteplase group compared to the alteplase group had significantly better early major neurological improvement (RR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.00, 2.43], p = 0.05). There was no significant difference between tenecteplase and alteplase in excellent functional outcome at 90 days, good functional outcome at 90 days, any intracerebral haemorrhage, symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage or mortality at 90 days. Our meta-analysis found tenecteplase to be significantly favouring one outcome: early major neurological improvement. Other outcomes did not differ between the tenecteplase and alteplase groups. Trials of cost-effective/benefit analysis comparing tenecteplase versus alteplase and tenecteplase versus endovascular treatment are necessary to reinforce the evidence for the potential cost advantage of tenecteplase.

In vitro examination of the thrombolytic efficacy of tenecteplase and therapeutic ultrasound compared to rt-PA

Background

Optimizing thrombolytic therapy is vital for improving stroke outcomes. We aimed to develop standardized thrombolysis conditions to evaluate the efficacy of tenecteplase (TNK) compared to the current gold standard rt-PA (alteplase), with and without additional ultrasound treatment. We also wanted to introduce a new analytical approach to quantify fibrin fiber density in transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Methods

In vitro clots that are similar to ex vivo clots concerning their histological condition and their durability were generated from whole blood. For five treatment groups we compared relative clot weight loss (each n = 60) and fibrin fiber density in TEM (each n = 5). The control group (A) was treated only with plasma. Two groups were designated for each rt-PA (B + C) and TNK (D + E). Groups C and E were additionally treated with ultrasound. Dosages were 50 μg/ml for rt-PA and 30 μg/ml for TNK. Results were evaluated by using analyses of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc t-tests.

Results

Weight loss was increased significantly for all groups compared to the control group. Both TNK groups showed significantly increased weight loss compared to their counterpart rt-PA group (p ≤ 0.001). For TEM only group D showed significantly decreased fibrin fiber density (p < 0.05) compared to both rt-PA groups. Ultrasound did not significantly increase dissolution of clots with either method (best p = 0.16).

Conclusions

Tenecteplase dissolved clots more effectively than rt-PA with and without ultrasound. A higher sample size could provide more convincing results for TEM.

Enhancement of Expression Level of Modified t-PA (TNKase) in Leishmania tarentolae by Induction System

Background

The expression of bio-therapeutic proteins in mammalian cells, such as CHO, attains high homogeneity related to post-translational modifications. Although CHO remains the most popular cell line for bestselling biotherapeutic proteins on the market, there are still drawbacks such as expensive culture media, long time line, and high drug cost. Recently, researches on a novel Leishmania protozoan system have confirmed that this low-level eukaryote could represent a competitive alternative to the mammalian cell lines.

Methods

The full length of coding sequence of modified tPA TNKase (tenecteplase) was synthesized and cloned into an inducible expression vector of L. tarentolae T7-TR cells.

Results

The expression of the construct was driven by a Tet-inducible promoter. A Leishmania secretory signal sequence was also added to the expression cassette to facilitate the release of the recombinant protein into the medium. The secretory recombinant protein was analyzed and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses. The expression level of TNKase in this novel system of L. tarentolae was 810 IU/mL after induction, which means that the percentage of expression increases two times compared to previous models in L. tarentolae. The TNKase activity was comparable with Activase.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that expressed TNK (modified tPA) is functionally compatible with Activase regarding their effect on fibrinolysis. Given the post-translational modification similarities between mammalian and L. tarentolae, it is speculated that this system is capable of producing complex proteins such as tPA similar to mammalian system, with easier manipulation and non-expensive method.

Tenecteplase utility in acute ischemic stroke patients: A clinical review of current evidence

INTRODUCTION

Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Treatment is aimed at reducing impact of cerebral clot burden and life-long disability. Traditional fibrinolytic treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has shown to be effective but at high risk of major bleeding. Multiple studies have evaluated tenecteplase as an alternative to tPA.

OBJECTIVE

This review evaluates literature and utility of tenecteplase for treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

DISCUSSION

Tenecteplase is modified, third generation fibrinolytic with greater specificity for fibrin bound clots. Current data in acute myocardial infarction suggest decreased bleeding events compared to alteplase. Multiple trials have investigated superiority of tenecteplase compared to tPA for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Current guidelines designate tenecteplase as an alternative treatment for mild acute ischemic stroke patients based on recent literature.

CONCLUSION

Recent emerging literature and limited recommendation guidance from governing medical societies leave many emergency medicine providers to weigh benefit versus risk of fibrinolytic therapy and tenecteplase's place in therapy. This review evaluates the available literature regarding tenecteplase and its utility in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients.

Tenecteplase versus alteplase for management of acute ischemic stroke: a pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Tenecteplase is a genetically mutated variant of alteplase with superior pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. However, its efficacy and safety in acute ischemic strokes are limited. Hence, we conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenecteplase compared with alteplase in acute ischemic stroke. Electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing tenecteplase with alteplase in acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for thrombolysis. We evaluated various efficacy and safety outcomes using random-effects models for both pairwise and Bayesian network meta-analyses along with meta-regression analyses. We included 5 RCTs with a total of 1585 patients. Compared with alteplase, tenecteplase treatment was associated with significantly greater complete recanalization (odd ratio [OR] 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.87; p = 0.04) and early neurological improvement (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.01-2.03; p = 0.05). There were no differences between the two thrombolytics in terms of excellent recovery (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-1; OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.95-1.44; p = 0.13), functional independence (mRS 0-2; OR 1.24; 95% CI 0.78-1.98), poor recovery (mRS 4-6; OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.49-1.25; p = 0.31), complete/partial recanalization (OR 1.51; 95% CI 0.70-3.26; p = 0.30), any intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.56-1.17; p = 0.26), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.52-1.83; p = 0.94), or mortality (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.54-1.26; p = 0.38). In network meta-analysis, there were better efficacy and imaging-based outcomes with tenecteplase 0.25 mg/kg without increased risk of safety outcomes. Our results demonstrate that in acute ischemic stroke, thrombolysis with tenecteplase is at least as effective and safe as alteplase.

Effect of irrigation on fibrinolytic rtPA therapy in a clot model of intracerebral haemorrhage: a systematic in vitro study

OBJECTIVE

Although fibrinolytic therapy is an upcoming treatment for intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), standard guidelines are lacking, and some clinical issues persist. Here, we used our recently devised clot model of ICH to systematically analyse effects of irrigation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on fibrinolysis.

METHODS

In vitro clots of human blood (25 ml) were generated and a catheter irrigation system was applied to deliver fluid/treatment. Clots were weighed before and after treatment and compared to rtPA treatment alone. First various drainage periods (15, 30 and 60 min; n = 3 each) and irrigation rates (0, 15, 90 and 180 ml/h; n = 3-5 each) were tested, followed by rtPA administration (1 mg, 15 min incubation) at each irrigation rate. Potential fibrinolytic effect of CSF was examined by incubation with 5 ml healthy vs. haemorrhagic CSF (n = 3 each). To assess a washout effect treatment with saline (0.9%), rtPA (1 mg) and high-rate irrigation (180 ml/h) were compared with measuring plasminogen level before and after. Furthermore clots were treated with a combination of plasminogen (150% serum concentration) and rtPA (1 mg).

RESULTS

Relative clot end weights after 60 min irrigation system treatments were 66.3 ± 3.8% (0 ml/h), 46.3 ± 9.5% (15 ml/h), 46.5 ± 7.1% (90 ml/h) and 53.3 ± 4.1% (180 ml/h). At a lower irrigation rate (15 ml/h), relative end weights were lowest (49.5 ± 4.6%) after 60 min (15 min: 62 ± 4.3%, p = 0.016; 30 min: 62.90 ± 1.88%, p = 0.012). The combination of rtPA and irrigation produced following relative end weights: 0 ml/h, 35 ± 3.2%; 15 ml/h, 32.1 ± 5.7%; 90 ml/h, 36.7 ± 6.3% and 180 ml/h, 41.9 ± 7.5%. No irrigation (0 ml/h) versus rtPA alone showed a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in higher clot weight reduction by rtPA. Similar rtPA+15 ml/h irrigation achieved a significant higher weight reduction compared to 15 ml/h irrigation alone (p = 0.0124). No differences were evident at 90 and 180 ml/h irrigation rates with and without rtPA. Healthy (55.1 ± 5%) or haemorrhagic (65.2 ± 6.2%) CSF showed no fibrinolytic activity. Plasminogen levels in clots declined dramatically (> 80% initially to < 10%) after 1 mg single rtPA dosing and high-rate (180 ml/h) irrigation. The fibrinolytic benefit of adding plasminogen to rtPA was marginal.

CONCLUSIONS

In our in vitro clot model, irrigation combined with rtPA (vs. rtPA alone) conferred no added lytic benefit. Likewise, exposure to haemorrhagic CSF did not increase clot lysis.

Penumbral Imaging-Based Thrombolysis with Tenecteplase Is Feasible up to 24 Hours after Symptom Onset

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Thrombolysis >4.5 hours after ischemic stroke onset is unproven. We assessed the feasibility of tenecteplase (TNK) treatment in patients with evidence of an ischemic penumbra 4.5 to 24 hours after onset.

METHODS

Acute ischemic stroke patients underwent perfusion computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with cerebral blood volume (CBV) or diffusion weighted imaging Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTS) >6 and mismatch score >2 (defined as >2 ASPECTS regions with delay on mean transit time maps and normal CBV) were eligible for treatment with TNK (0.25 mg/kg). Patients with mismatch patterns enrolled in non-endovascular/non-thrombolysis trials and those without mismatch patterns served as comparators.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in TNK treated patients (n=16) was 12 (range, 8 to 15). In the untreated mismatch (n=18) and nonmismatch (n=23) groups, the baseline NIHSS was 12 (range, 7 to 12) and 16 (range, 8 to 20; P=0.09) respectively. There was one symptomatic hemorrhage each in the TNK group (parenchymal hematoma [PH] 2) and non-mismatch group (PH 2). Penumbral salvage volumes were higher in TNK treated patients (48.3 mL [range, 24.9 to 80.4]) than the non-mismatch (-90.8 mL [range, -197 to -20]; P<0.0001) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective, non-randomized study supports the feasibility of TNK therapy in patients with evidence of ischemic penumbra 4 to 24 hours after onset.

Tenecteplase versus streptokinase thrombolytic therapy in patients with mitral prosthetic valve thrombosis

Objective

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a dreadful complication of mechanical prosthetic valves. Thrombolytic therapy (TT) for PVT is an alternative to surgery and currently making a leading role. This study compares TT with tenecteplase (TNK) and streptokinase (SK) head to head in patients with mitral PVT.

Methods

In this single center, observational study, patients with mitral PVT diagnosed by clinical data, transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and fluoroscopy were included. After excluding patients with contraindications for thrombolysis, they were randomly assigned to receive either SK or TNK regimen. Patients were monitored for success or failure of TT and for any complications.

Results

Among 52 episodes (47 patients with 5 recurrences) of mechanical mitral PVT, 40 patients were thrombolyzed with SK and 12 patients were thrombolyzed with TNK. Baseline characteristics including demographic profile, clinical and echocardiographic features, and valve types were not statistically significant between the groups. Complete success rate was 77.5% in SK group and 75% in TNK group (p = 0.88). Partial success rate, failure rate, and major complications were not statistically significant between the two groups. Within 12 h of therapy, TNK showed complete success in 33.3% of patients compared to 15% in SK group (p-value <0.02). Minor bleeding was more common in TNK group.

Conclusion

Slow infusion of TNK is equally efficacious but more effective than SK in the management of mitral mechanical PVT. 75% to 77.5% of PVT patients completely recovered from TT and it should be the first line therapy where the immediate surgical options were remote.

Efficacy and Safety of Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND

Thrombolysis in acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial. So we studied impact of thrombolytic therapy in acute submassive PE in terms of mortality, hemodynamic status, improvement in right ventricular function, and safety in terms of major and minor bleeding.

METHOD

A single-center, prospective, randomized study of 86 patients was conducted at LPS Institute of Cardiology, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, India. Patients received thrombolysis (single bolus of tenecteplase) with unfractionated heparin (UFH, group I) or placebo with UFH (group II).

RESULT

Mean age of patients was 54.35 ± 12.8 years with male dominance (M:F = 70%:30%). Smoking was the most common risk factor seen in 29% of all patients, followed by recent history of immobilization (25%), history of surgery or major trauma within past 1 month (15%), dyslipidemia (10%) and diabetes mellitus (10%). Dyspnea was the most common symptom in 80% of all patients, followed by chest pain in 55% and syncope in 6%. Primary efficacy outcome occurred significantly better in group I vs. group II (4.5% vs. 20%; P = 0.04), and significant difference was also found in hemodynamic decompensation (4.5% vs. 20%; P = 0.04), the fall in mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (28.8% vs. 22.5%; P = 0.03), improvement in right ventricular (RV) function (70% vs. 40%; P = 0.001) and mean hospital stay (8.1 ± 2.5 vs. 11.1 ± 2.14 days; P = 0.001). There was no difference in mortality and major bleeding as safety outcome but increased minor bleeding occurred in group I patients (16% vs. 12%; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Patients with acute submassive PE do not derive overall mortality benefit, recurrent PE and rehospitalization with thrombolytic therapy but had improved clinical outcome in form of decrease in hemodynamic decompensation, mean hospital stay, PASP and improvement of RV function with similar risk of major bleed but at cost of increased minor bleeding.

Management of Acute Submacular Hemorrhage with Intravitreal Injection of Tenecteplase, Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Gas

PURPOSE

To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes for neovascular age-related macular degeneration with submacular hemorrhage after intravitreal injections of tenecteplase (TNK), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and expansile gas.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective clinical case series following 25 eyes of 25 patients. All patients received a triple injection using 0.05 mL TNK (50 µg), 0.05 mL anti-VEGF and 0.3 mL of perfluoropropane gas. Retreatment with anti-VEGF was performed as needed. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 1.09 ± 0.77 at baseline to 0.52 ± 0.60 at 12 months (p < 0.001). The mean central retinal thickness also improved significantly from 545 ± 156 at baseline to 266 ± 107 at 12 months (p < 0.001). A visual improvement of 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution unit or more was achieved in 15 eyes (60%). During the 12 postoperative months, an average of 4.04 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections was applied.

CONCLUSIONS

A triple injection of TNK, anti-VEGF, and a gas appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Successful use of Tenecteplase in a patient with recurrence of prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis

INTRODUCTION

Tenecteplase can be a more effective and convenient alternative in treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT).

CASE

We hereby present a case of the use of Tenecteplase for recurrence of mitral valve thrombosis in a patient who was brought as an emergency with breathing difficulty at rest. A single intravenous bolus of Tenecteplase relieved her symptoms dramatically within a few hours. This is in contradistinction to her earlier similar presentation with valve thrombosis a year back, when both streptokinase and urokinase had not worked.

CONCLUSION

The use of Tenecteplase in PVT is reasonable, but needs more documentation. The therapeutic response was remarkable in our case. It is also better suited for recurrence of valve thrombosis as streptokinase cannot be used for a second time.

[Intravenous thrombolysis in ischemic stroke: Therapeutic perspectives]

New therapeutic strategies are under evaluation to improve the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Approaches combining intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and antithrombotic agents are currently evaluated. The combination of IV rt-PA and aspirin showed a high rate of intracranial hemorrhage whereas the association of rt-PA and eptifibatide seems more promising. The results of recent studies evaluating the administration of eptifibatide or argatroban in conjunction with conventional IV thrombolysis with rt-PA are expected to clarify the safety and efficacy of these treatments. More fibrin-specific plasminogen activators, tenecteplase and desmoteplase, are also investigated. These fibrinolytic agents showed a favorable safety profile but their efficacy in AIS remains uncertain. While phase III studies, DIAS-3 and DIAS-4, evaluating IV desmoteplase up to nine hours after stroke onset did not meet the primary endpoint, the results of studies comparing IV tenecteplase and IV rt-PA are expected.

Systemic thrombolysis with the use of tenecteplase for segmental acute renal in-farction potentially associated with multiple thrombophilic gene polymorphisms

BACKGROUND/AIM

The potential association of acute renal infarction with multiple thrombophilic gene polymorphisms and the experience of treatment with tenecteplase are described for the first time in the international literature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE

The case of a 50-year old male with segmental acute renal infarction potentially associated with multiple thrombophilic gene polymorphisms is presented. He was thrombolysed with a single intravenous bolus of tenecteplase in a weight-adjusted dose (0.53mg/Kg bodyweight). Within 30 minutes after drug administration, the patient's symptoms were completely relieved. Patient's clinical course was uneventful with an acceptable renal function outcome eight weeks post-treatment. The following gene polymorphisms were identified: G455A (b-fibrinogen); C677T; A1298C (methylenetetrahydropholate reductase); T196C (platelet glycoprotein IIIa); 4G/5G (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1).

CONCLUSION

Tenecteplase is a safe and simple to use thrombolytic, with favourable pharmacokinetic profile, which might be useful if administered early, especially when local thrombolysis is impossible or unavailable and therefore warrants further investigation in clinical trials. Hippokratia 2014; 18 (1): 67-70.

Pharmacologic reperfusion therapy with indigenous tenecteplase in 15,222 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction - the Indian Registry

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy and safety of single intravenous bolus administration of indigenously developed tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) in the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in clinical practice.

METHODS

Observational, prescription-event monitoring study.

RESULTS

Data of 15,222 patients who had STEMI and received weight adjusted TNK injection was analyzed. Overall 95.43% patients had clinically successful thrombolysis (CST). In the different subgroups, hypertensives, diabetics, smokers and hyperlipidemic patients had CST rates comparable to the general patient data. CST rates were significantly lower in the elderly patients (>70 years; 92.11%; p < 0.0001), in patients with history of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD, 93.86%; p = 0.0004) and in patients receiving delayed treatment (>6 h after onset of chest pain; 85.38%; p < 0.0001). CST was significantly higher in patients who received an early thrombolysis (<3 h after onset of chest pain; 96.54%; p = 0.006). Overall mortality was 1.69%, while it was significantly higher in the elderly (4.42%), patients with history of IHD (2.67%), females (2.93%) and in those who received delayed treatment (4.98%). The overall incidences of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), bleeding excluding ICH, stroke and ventricular tachyarrhythmia were 0.39%, 2.01%, 0.16% and 2.35% respectively. Age >70 years, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and history of IHD were associated with a higher incidence of heart failure, myocardial re-infarction or ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, incidence of ICH and bleeding other than ICH was comparable amongst all patient subgroups.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the safety and efficacy of indigenous tenecteplase in Indian patients with STEMI, including high risk subgroups. It also highlights the fact that delayed treatment denotes denial of benefits of pharmacologic reperfusion therapy.