rt‐PA with remote ischemic postconditioning for acute ischemic stroke

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPC) in acute ischemic stroke patients after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) thrombolysis (IVT). Methods: We performed a pilot randomized trial involving acute ischemic stroke patients with IVT. The patients were randomized 1:1 to receive RIPC or standard medical therapy. In the RIPC group, the participants underwent instant RIPC within 2 h of IVT, followed by repeated RIPC therapy for 7 days. The feasibility end point was the completion of RIPC and time from the first RIPC to finishing IVT in the RIPC group. The safety end point included tissue and neurovascular injury resulting from RIPC, changes in vital signs, level of plasma myoglobin, any hemorrhagic transformation, and other adverse events. Results: Thirty patients (15 RIPC and 15 Control) were recruited after IVT. The mean age was 65.7 ± 10.2 years, with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 6.5 (4.0-10.0). The completion rate for RIPC was 97.0%. The mean time from first RIPC to completing IVT was 66.0 (25.0-75.0) min in the RIPC group. One case of hemorrhagic transformation was observed in the RIPC group. No significant difference was found in the level of myoglobin between the two groups (P > 0.05). Interpretation: RIPC is effective and safe for AIS patients after intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis.