Safety and Feasibility of Argatroban, Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Intra-arterial Therapy in Stroke

Exclusion Criteria

• •Evidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on baseline CT scan or diagnosis of a non-vascular cause of neurologic deficit.
• •NIHSS Level of Consciousness score (1a) \>/= 2.
• •Pre-existing disability with mRS \> 2.
• •Any evidence of clinically significant bleeding, or known coagulopathy.
• •INR \>1.5.
• •Patients with an elevated aPTT greater than the upper limit of normal (test can be repeated if investigator suspects a falsely elevated value such as when the collection tube is not completely filled).
• •Patients currently, or within the previous 24 hours, on an oral direct thrombin inhibitor (i.e., dabigatran), a factor 10a inhibitor (i.e., rivaroxaban, apixaban), or any other long-acting anticoagulant.
• •Heparin flush required for an IV line. Line flushes with saline only.
• •Any history of intra-cranial hemorrhage, known ateriovenous-malformation or unsecured cerebral aneurysms.
• •Significant bleeding episode \[e.g. gastrointestinal (GI) or urinary tract\] within the 3 weeks before study enrollment.
• •Major surgery or serious trauma in last 2 weeks. - Patients who have had an arterial puncture at a non-compressible site, biopsy of parenchymal organ, or lumbar puncture within the last 2 weeks.
• •Previous stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), post myocardial infarction pericarditis, intracranial surgery, or significant head trauma within 3 months.
• •Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP \> 185 mmHg or DBP \>110 mmHg) that does not respond to intravenous anti-hypertensive agents.
• •Surgical intervention (any reason) anticipated within the next 48 hours.
• •Known history of clinically significant hepatic dysfunction or liver disease - including a current history of alcohol abuse.
• •Abnormal blood glucose \<50 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L).
• •History of primary or metastatic brain tumor.
• •Current platelet count \< 100,000/mm3.
• •Life expectancy \< 3 months.
• •Patients who, in the judgment of the investigator, needs to be on concomitant (i.e., during the Argatroban infusion) anticoagulants other than Argatroban, including any form of heparin, UFH, LMWH, defibrinogenating agent, dextran, other direct thrombin inhibitors or thrombolytic agents, GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor or warfarin. \[\*Caveat: However, if in the judgment of the investigator a patient needs to be anticoagulated, but this can be deferred for 48 hours, then they could be included.\]
• •Currently participating or has participated in any investigational drug or device study within 30 days before the first dose of study medication.
• •Known hypersensitivity to Argatroban or its agents.
• •1. Age \>80
• •2. Currently taking oral anticoagulants (regardless of INR)
• •3. A history of stroke and diabetes.
• •4. NIHSS \> 25.