1.Comprehensive evaluation of intravenous thrombolysis regimens for ischemic stroke based on network meta-analysis and cost-utility analysis
Guochao YE ; Shuai LIU ; Yongbang CHEN ; Yu SUN ; Youqing TANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(19):2589-2596
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the differences in efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness among multiple dosing regimens of four intravenous thrombolytic agents [alteplase (rt-PA), tenecteplase (TNK), reteplase (rPA), and recombinant human prourokinase (rhPro-UK)] in the treatment of ischemic stroke.METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the above agents for intravenous thrombolysis in ischemic stroke were searched. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of different regimens, and a Markov model was constructed to evaluate cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.RESULTS Twenty RCTs involving 10 regimens were included. NMA showed that the 18 mg+18 mg rPA regimen (two intravenous boluses of 18 mg rPA) was superior to all TNK regimens (0.1, 0.25, and 0.4 mg/kg), all rt-PA regimens (0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg), and the 35 mg rhPro-UK regimen in terms of excellent functional outcome; the 0.25 mg/kg TNK regimen was superior to the 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg rt-PA regimens. In terms of good functional outcome, the 18 mg+18 mg rPA regimen was superior to the 0.25 and 0.4 mg/kg TNK regimens, the 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg rt-PA regimens, and the 35 mg rhPro-UK regimen; the 0.25 mg/kg TNK regimen was superior to the 0.4 mg/kg TNK regimen. The 18 mg+18 mg rPA regimen had the lowest incidence of poor functional outcome. In terms of avoiding extremely poor functional outcomes, the 0.6 mg/kg rt-PA regimen was the best, and the 0.4 mg/kg TNK regimen was the worst. In terms of safety, the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) with the 35 mg rhPro-UK regimen was significantly lower than that with the 12 mg+12 mg rPA regimen (two intravenous boluses of 12 mg rPA) and the 0.4 mg/kg TNK regimen; the sICH incidences with the 0.25 mg/kg TNK regimen and the 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg rt-PA regimens were significantly lower than that with the 0.4 mg/kg TNK regimen, and the 0.6 mg/kg rt-PA regimen was superior to the 0.9 mg/kg rt-PA regimen. Cost-utility analysis showed that, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of twice the 2025 national per capita gross domestic product, the 18 mg+18 mg rPA regimen had the greatest cost-effectiveness advantage; sensitivity analysis confirmed that the base-case results were robust; in both scenario analyses, the probability that this regimen was cost-effective was 100%.CONCLUSIONS Among the 10 intravenous thrombolysis regimens for ischemic stroke, the 18 mg+18 mg rPA regimen was the optimal regimen combining efficacy and cost-effectiveness; the 35 mg rhPro-UK regimen may be the preferred option for patients at high bleeding risk.
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