ThrombolysisACT-GLOBAL THROMBOLYSIS (ACT-WHEN-001) Domain Within the ACT-GLOBAL Adaptive Platform Trial-NCT06352632

This domain has a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel group with blinded endpoint assessment (PROBE) design. Up to 4,000 patients with presumed acute ischemic stroke (AIS) will be followed for 90 days (or until death, if prior to 90 days). The end of the trial is defined as the date that all participants have completed their Day 90 assessment.

This domain aim is to efficiently, reliably, and simultaneously, determine the comparative effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) using standard-dose intravenous tenecteplase (0.25 mg/kg body weight), vs. low-dose intravenous tenecteplase (0.18 mg/kg body weight) in all patients who present to hospital with acute ischemic stroke and are considered for intravenous thrombolysis. In addition, this domain also seeks to study standard-dose intravenous tenecteplase (0.25 mg/kg body weight), vs. low-dose intravenous tenecteplase (0.18 mg/kg body weight) vs. no TNK upfront with rescue IA TNK if necessary (in those eligible for emergency EVT) and no TNK upfront in those who have taken DOACs during the preceding 48 hours. This domain therefore seeks to generate more robust randomized evidence to guide clinicians in their decisions over the balance of risks and treatment with intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase wherever such evidence is currently insufficient.

This domain will currently evaluate four research questions in relation to the use of IVT with tenecteplase:

1. In patients with recent (48 hours) intake of a standard-dose direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), how should IVT be used? - Use standard-dose (0.25 mg/kg body weight) or low-dose tenecteplase (0.18 mg/kg) or not at all.
2. In patients planned to be treated with endovascular thrombectomy, how should tenecteplase be used? -Treat with IV tenecteplase (standard- or low-dose) or not at all.
3. In any patient receiving IVT, what is the optimal dose of tenecteplase? - use standard-dose (0.25 mg/kg body weight) or low-dose tenecteplase (0.18 mg/kg).
4. To what extent is the treatment effect of standard- vs. low-dose tenecteplase modified by key patient characteristics, such as diabetes, prior antiplatelet therapy, renal failure, or frailty, old age or having a heavy burden of cerebral small vessel disease on brain imaging.