Effect of Remote Ischemic Conditioning on Cerebral Hemodynamics in Patients After Intravenous Thrombolysis (RICCH-IVT)

In this study, cases of ischemic stroke who undergo intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 hours from onset are included. The RIC group receive basic treatment and remote ischemic conditioning for 200mmHg at 6 and 18-24 hours after intravenous thrombolysis. The sham-RIC group receive basic treatment and remote ischemic conditioning for 60mmHg at 6 and 18-24 hours after intravenous thrombolysis. Both groups underwent cerebral hemodynamics after RIC and recorded the relevant indexes. The investigators aimed to determine the effect of remote ischemic conditioning on cerebral hemodynamics in patients after intravenous thrombolysis.

Inclusion criteria

• age ≥ 18 and < 80 years, both sexes;
• a clear clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke and treatment with standard rt-PA (0.9 mg/kg) IVT within 4.5 h of stroke onset;
• pre-onset modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤1;
• baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥5 and ≤25;
• Glasgow Coma Scale score ≥8.

Exclusion criteria

• having received bridging therapy (IVT plus mechanical thrombectomy);
• previous history of atrial fibrillation or electrocardiographic evidence of atrial fibrillation;
• contraindications to RIC treatment or previous RIC treatment or similar treatment;
• pregnancy or breastfeeding;
• life expectancy of ≤3 months or inability to complete the study for other reasons;
• unwillingness to be followed up or poor treatment compliance or participation in other clinical studies;
• had insufficient bilateral temporal bone windows for insonation of the middle cerebral artery.