Orolingual angioedema after thrombolysis is not associated with insular cortex ischemia on pre-thrombolysis CT

Abstract Objective: Orolingual angioedema (OA) is a well known early complication of treatment with alteplase in ischemic stroke patients. Our aim was to study risk factors for OA in these patients, namely insular cortex ischemia. Methods: Retrospective case-cohort study using the prospective registry of all consecutive ischemic stroke patients submitted to intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase. Clinical data was retrieved from the registry and medical records. Two independent observers evaluated early signs of insular cortex ischemia on pre-thrombolysis computed tomography (CT) and of insular cortex infarct on early follow-up imaging. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to indentify predictors of OA. Results: Of the 659 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with alteplase, 32 developed OA (4.9%, 95%CI = 3.3–6.6). Frequency of early signs of insular cortex ischemia on pre-thrombolysis CT and of insular cortex infarct on follow-up imaging was similar in patients with and without OA ( p = 0.241 and p = 0.145, respectively). The only independent predictors of OA occurrence were female sex (OR = 5.47, 95%CI = 1.98–15.10) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE I) use (OR = 3.87, 95%CI = 1.71–8.75). Conclusions: Female sex and ACE-I use are independent risk factors for OA occurrence in ischemic stroke patients treated with alteplase. Early signs of insular cortex ischemia on pre-thrombolysis CT were not significantly associated with OA.