Thrombus Migration After Tenecteplase Versus Alteplase in Acute Large Vessel Occlusion

In patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) frequently alters thrombus location; however, the clinical impact of this phenomenon remains unclear. We aimed to compare post-IVT thrombus dynamics between tenecteplase and alteplase and to evaluate the association between thrombus dynamics and 3-month outcomes.

This retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected, multicenter data from consecutive patients with LVO who underwent bridging therapy between January 2022 and December 2024. Thrombus dynamics were classified as resolution, migration, or stability. Analyses incorporated propensity score matching with weighting to balance baseline characteristics.

Of the 806 initially included patients, 746 were included after matching (373 treated with tenecteplase and 373 treated with alteplase). The incidence of thrombus migration was significantly higher in the tenecteplase group than in the alteplase group (19.3% vs. 11.3%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-2.91). The advantage of tenecteplase over alteplase was restricted to patients with an IVT-to-puncture time of <60 minutes (18.6% vs. 6.2%; P=0.001) and was no longer significant when the interval ≥60 minutes (19.7% vs. 15.0%; P=0.204; Pinteraction=0.043). Additionally, thrombus migration was associated with a better functional outcome (OR: 1.62; 95% CI 1.04-2.53). Finally, tenecteplase was associated with improved functional independence compared with alteplase (OR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.04-1.95).

Tenecteplase demonstrated superior efficacy in inducing thrombus migration compared with alteplase, particularly within 60 minutes of IVT administration. Thrombus migration independently predicted improved functional independence. These findings support the preferential use of tenecteplase for bridging therapy in patients with LVO.