Uric Acid for Acute Stroke: Potential Benefit?

A nonsignificant improvement in 90-day functional outcomes suggests that further research into this potential therapy may be warranted.

Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) remains the only approved pharmacologic treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Several compounds with a variety of mechanisms have been tried in the past two decades as adjuncts to TPA. Uric acid has potential properties as an antioxidant. Considering the low levels of endogenous antioxidant in the brain, researchers investigated uric acid as a potential adjunct to TPA in 421 patients with acute stroke treated at 10 centers in Spain. Enrollment criteria included moderate-to-severe stroke (NIH stroke scale score >6 and <25), treatment with TPA within 4.5 hours after symptom onset, and absence of severe preexisting disability. The primary outcome was 90-day functional status; excellent outcome was defined as a…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Uric Acid for Acute Stroke: Potential Benefit?

Topics

Reviewing Author