Association of growth factors with arterial recanalization and clinical outcome in patients with ischemic stroke treated with tPA

Background: Growth factors (GF) such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1) and granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) have been associated with greater efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in experimental studies. Objectives: To study the association of these GF with arterial recanalization and clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with tPA. Methods: We prospectively studied 79 patients with ischemic stroke attributable to MCA occlusion treated with i.v. tPA within the first 3 h from onset of symptoms. Continuous transcranial color‐coded sonography (TCCS) was performed during the first 2 h after tPA bolus to assess early MCA recanalization. Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) was classified according to ECASS II definitions. Good functional outcome was defined as a Rankin scale score of 0–2 at 90 days. GF levels were determined by ELISA. Results: Mean serum levels of VEGF, G‐CSF and Ang‐1 at baseline were significantly higher in patients with early MCA recanalization (n = 30) (all P