Proposed Approach to Thrombolysis in Dabigatran-Treated Patients Presenting with Ischemic Stroke

Background: Acute ischemic stroke thrombolysis in patients taking dabigatran is controversial because of a presumed increased risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation. Using data from our local hematopathology laboratory, we developed a thrombolysis protocol for acute ischemic stroke patients taking dabigatran.Methods: A local thrombin time (TT)–dabigatran concentration relationship was calculated using dabigatran calibrators. The effect of dabigatran on activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) (international normalized ratio [INR]) was also measured. A protocol was developed, in which a dabigatran concentration less than 10 ng/mL (corresponding to a TT 
Source: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research