Low-Dose Tenecteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment in Aging Patients

The DATE-AGING study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial investigating low-dose tenecteplase in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. Its primary objective is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose tenecteplase in elderly patients within 4.5 hours of acute ischemic stroke onset.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 70 years; 2. Diagnosis of ischaemic stroke with a measurable neurological deficit on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (1≤ NIHSS ≤25); if NIHSS \<4, patients have to be with at least a measurable deficit on motor power (upper or lower limbs ≥1); 3. Stroke symptoms should have been present for at least 30 minutes (min) without significant improvement prior to randomisation; 4. Thrombolytic therapy can be initiated within 4.5 Hour(s) (h) of Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) onset; 5. Patients with premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 or 1; 6. Informed consent from the patient or surrogate. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Imaging demonstrates multi-lobar infarction (hypodensity \>1/3 cerebral hemisphere); 2. Acute bleeding diathesis or allergy to tenecteplase, including but not limited to * Known genetic predisposition to bleeding or significant bleeding disorder at present or within the past 6 Month(s) (m) * Administration of heparin within the previous 48 h and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) exceeding the upper limit of normal for laboratory measurement * Current use of vitamin K based oral anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) and a prolonged prothrombin time (International normalised Ratio (INR) \> 1.7 or Prothrombin time (PT)\>15 seconds (s)) or current use of novel oral anticoagulants (i.e. dabigitran, rivaroxiban, or apixiban) with prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and/or PT above the upper limit of the local laboratory reference range * Platelet count of below 100×10\^9/ L * Any history of central nervous system damage (i.e. neoplasm, aneurysm, intracranial or spinal surgery) * Recent traumatic external heart massage or recent puncture of a non-compressive blood-vessel (e.g. subclavian or jugular vein puncture) , within the past 10 days * Known history of suspected intracranial haemorrhage or suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage from aneurysm * Neoplasm with increased haemorrhagic risk * Documented ulcerative gastrointestinal disease during the last 3 months, oesophageal varices, arterial aneurysm, or arterial/venous malformations * History of significant trauma or major surgery within the past 3 months. * Any known disorder associated with a significant increased risk of bleeding 3. Intracranial hemorrhage (including parenchymal hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural/extradural hematoma, etc.); 4. Blood glucose \<2.8 mmol/L or \>22.22 mmol/L; 5. After active antihypertensive treatment, hypertension is still not under control: systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg; 6. Seizure at stroke onset; 7. Concurrent malignancy or severe systemic disease with an anticipated survival of less than 90 days; 8. Participation in other clinical trials within 3 months prior to screening; 9. Unsuitability or participation in this study as judged by the Investigator may result in subjects being exposed to greater risk.