INtra-arterial AltEplase folloWing successfuL reperfusIoN After mEchanical Thrombectomy
The NEWLINE trial is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial evaluating whether adjunctive low-dose intra-arterial alteplase administered immediately after successful endovascular thrombectomy improves functional outcomes in adults with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. Eligible participants achieving successful reperfusion (eTICI 2b-3) within 24 hours of symptom onset will be randomized 1:1 to receive intra-arterial alteplase plus standard care or standard care alone. The primary outcome is excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) at 90 days.
• Age ≥ 18 years old.
• No significant pre-stroke functional disability (pre-stroke mRS 0-1)
• Clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke with anterior LVO
• Time from symptom onset to randomization within 24 hours, including wake-up stroke or unwitness stroke; the onset time refers to Last Known Well (LKW).
• Baseline NIHSS of 6 - 25
• Non-contrast CT (NCCT) or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-MRI Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) ≥ 6. For patients with available perfusion imaging (CTP/MRP), additional criteria include: Ischemic core volume ≤ 70mL; Mismatch volume ≥ 15 ml; Mismatch ratio ≥ 1.8
• Evidence of oclussion of the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA), or M1 or M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) on CT angiography (CTA) or MR angiography (MRA)
• Treated with EVT resulting eTICI score of 2b-3. Patients with an eTICI score of 2b-3 on the diagnostic cerebral angiography before MT are also eligible for the study.
• Informed consent obtained from patient or acceptable patient surrogate.