Safety and Tolerability of Desmoteplase Within 3 to 9 Hours after Symptoms Onset in Japanese Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose - This study investigated the safety and tolerability of desmoteplase administered within 3 to 9 hours after stroke symptoms onset in Japanese patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods - Patients were randomized to treatment with either desmoteplase or placebo in a 2:1 ratio in 2 consecutive cohorts (70 μg/kg and then 90 μg/kg). Included patients had a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 4 to 24 and occlusion or high-grade stenosis in the middle cerebral artery segment M1 or M2 on magnetic resonance angiography. The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (≤72 hours) was defined as the primary end point. The occurrence of asymptomatic ICH, symptomatic cerebral edemas, and adverse events were other safety outcomes of special interest. Results - Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was observed within 72 hours in 2 patients treated with placebo and in 1 patient treated with 70 μg/kg desmoteplase. Any ICH (symptomatic or asymptomatic ICH) within 72 hours were observed in 7 (43.8%) patients treated with placebo, in 8 (50%) patients treated with 70 μg/kg desmoteplase, and in 9 (56.3%) patients treated with 90 μg/kg desmoteplase. Desmoteplase treatment with 70 or 90 μg/kg was not associated with an increased risk of symptomatic cerebral edema compared with placebo. There were no other serious safety concerns associated with desmoteplase. Conclusions - Desmoteplase in both 70 and 90 μg/kg doses had a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated in Japanese patients with acute ischemic stroke when administered 3 to 9 hours after stroke symptoms onset. Clinical Trial Registration - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01104467.