A pragmatic approach to sonothrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke: the Norwegian randomised controlled sonothrombolysis in acute stroke study (NOR-SASS).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ultrasound accelerates thrombolysis with tPA (sonothrombolysis). Ultrasound in the absence of tPA also accelerates clot break-up (sonolysis). Adding intravenous gaseous microbubbles may potentiate the effect of ultrasound in both sonothrombolysis and sonolysis. The Norwegian Sonothrombolysis in Acute Stroke Study aims in a pragmatic approach to assess the effect and safety of contrast enhanced ultrasound treatment in unselected acute ischaemic stroke patients.

Methods/design

Acute ischaemic stroke patients ≥ 18 years, with or without visible arterial occlusion on computed tomography angiography (CTA) and treatable ≤ 4(½) hours after symptom onset, are included in NOR-SASS. NOR-SASS is superimposed on a separate trial randomising patients with acute ischemic stroke

SUBMITTER: Nacu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4499181 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature