Intravenous tenecteplase for acute ischemic stroke between 4.5 and 6 h of onset (EXIT-BT2): Rationale and Design

To date, the benefit of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients without advanced neuroimaging selection is confined to within 4.5 h of onset. Our phase II EXIT-BT (Extending the tIme window of Thrombolysis by ButylphThalide up to 6 h after onset) trial suggested the safety, feasibility, and potential benefit of intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) in AIS between 4.5 and 6 h of onset. The EXIT-BT2 trial is a pivotal study undertaken to confirm or refute this signal.