Intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase for acute cerebral infarctions

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of urokinase (UK) in treatment of acute cerebral infarctions within 6 hours from the onset. Methods A multicenter, randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled clinical study was performed. Patients consistent with the inclusion criteria were randomized into 3 groups. As Group A (155 cases), receiving UK 1.5 MU, Group B (162 cases) receiving 1. 0 MU, and Group C (148 cases), placebo. European Stroke Scale (ESS), Barthel Index (BI), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to evaluate the recovery of neurological functions. Results ESS scores increased rapidly after thrombolysis. There was significant difference among 3 groups. Non-symptomatic hemorrhagic rate were 9.03% (Group A), 5.56% (Group B), and 4.73% (Group C). Intraparenchymal hemorrhagic rate were 4.52% (Group A), 3.09% (Group B), and 2.03% (Group C). Mortality rate of intraparenchymal hemorrhage was 1.89% in Group A + Group B, none in Group C. Conclusions UK is effective and relatively safe in treatment of acute cerebral infarctions within 6 hours from the onset.