DIAS4: Desmoteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Sponsor: Lundbeck
Investigators: Carlos Kase MD (principal), Thanh Nguyen MD, Viken Babikian MD, Jose Romero MD, Aleksandra Pikula MD
Summary
An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage, called a clot, in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. This obstruction results in a loss of blood flow to the affected area of the brain. The goal of drug therapy used to treat this condition is to dissolve the clot, thereby opening the blood vessel and restoring blood flow to the brain. At this time, there are no FDA-approved medications to dissolve or remove the blood clot in patients that seek help greater than 4 ½ hours after the onset of their stroke symptoms. The purpose of this research study is to determine whether the investigational drug Desmoteplase is effective in the treatment of ischemic stroke when administered 4.5 to 9 hours after symptoms begin. Desmoteplase is being studied worldwide for its use in the treatment of individuals with stroke. This study examined the use of a synthetic drug derived from the saliva of vampire bats. The study examined whether this drug would extend the time window for treatment of acute ischemic strokes from three to nine hours after symptoms first appear, by dissolving the clot that caused the stroke.