International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
THrombolysis for Acute Wake-up and unclear-onset Strokes with alteplase at 0·6 mg/kg (THAWS) Trial.
Because of lack of information regarding timing of stroke, patients who suffer stroke during sleep are generally ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, although many of these patients could potentially recover with this treatment. Magnetic resonance image findings with positive diffusion-weighted imaging and no marked parenchymal hyperintensity on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (negative pattern) can identify acute ischemic stroke patients within 4·5 h from symptom onset. ⋯ This trial may help determine if low-dose alteplase at 0·6 mg/kg should be recommended as a routine clinical strategy for ischemic stroke patients with unclear-onset time.