The PERFusion Use in Stroke Evaluation Study

Expanding the Time Window for IV Thrombolysis With Rt-PA in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Using Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging: The PERFusion Use in Stroke Evaluation (PERFUSE) Study

This is an open label single center phase II trial, evaluating the utility of 64 slice CT perfusion (CTP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. The main aim is to determine which aspects of CTP imaging can aid in expanding the time window for thrombolysis with IV (rt-PA) in AIS patients up to 6 hours after symptom onset.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute ischemic stroke
• ≥ 18 years old
• presentation up to 6 hours from time of onset of acute stroke symptoms

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy
• inability to receive CT scan
• allergy to IV contrast
• symptoms with full resolution
• intracerebral hemorrhage
• severe stroke which is classified as 'malignant' (hypodensity on noncontrast CT greater than 1/3 cerebral hemisphere)
• premorbid mRS of >3
• life expectancy of ≤3 months
• any condition which, in the opinion of the investigator makes the subject unsuitable for study