Intravenous Administration of Microplasmin for Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Inclusion Criteria: Acute ischemic stroke with onset within 12 hours before randomization with baseline NIHSS > 6 and < 22 Exclusion Criteria: General Exclusion Criteria Participation in another study with an investigational drug or device within the previous 30 days, prior participation in the present study, or planned participation in another trial within the time frame of the current trial Symptoms suggestive of subarachnoid hemorrhage, even if CT scan or MRI is negative for hemorrhage Women known to be pregnant, lactating, or having a positive or indeterminate pregnancy test Stroke Related Exclusion Criteria Neurological deficit that has led to stupor or coma (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] Level Of Consciousness Item 1a score >or=2) High clinical suspicion of septic embolus Thrombosis involving cerebral veins Rapidly improving neurological signs at any time before initiation of study drug administration Imaging Related Exclusion Criteria Hemorrhagic transformation or intracerebral hemorrhage observed on baseline CT of the brain or gradient recalled echo (GRE) magnetic resonance imaging CT or MRI evidence of nonvascular cause for the neurological symptoms Large hypodensity on CT involving > 1/3 of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory Baseline DWI volume > 1/3 of the MCA territory Signs of mass effect causing shift of midline structures on CT or MRI Unable to undergo MRI (i.e., ferrous implants, cardiac pacemakers, agitation, claustrophobia or known sensitivity to MRI contrast agents) Safety Related Exclusion Criteria Congenital or acquired coagulopathy causing either of the following activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation greater than 2 seconds above the upper limit of normal (ULN) for local laboratory International normalized ratio (INR) of 1.4 or more. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as a systolic blood pressure > 180 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure > 100 mm Hg on 3 separate occasions at least 10 minutes apart or requiring continuous intravenous (IV) therapy. History of stroke within the previous 3 months Seizures at any time between stroke onset to planned initiation of study drug History of intracranial hemorrhage History of surgery, lumbar puncture, biopsy or trauma to internal organs within the previous 30 days. Major trauma at the time of stroke Head trauma within the previous 90 days. Known bleeding diathesis. Baseline platelet count < 100 X 10^9/L. Blood glucose > 400mg/dl or <50 mg/dl if administration of glucose does not rapidly reverse neurological deficit Exclusion Criteria That May Potentially Interfere with Outcome Assessment Life expectancy <3 months Other serious illness that in the opinion of the investigator may confound clinical assessment (e.g. hepatic, cardiac, or renal failure, advanced cancer) Exclusion Criteria Related to Concomitant Medication If treatment with tPA is indicated Treatment with rtPA or any other thrombolytic agent for the qualifying stroke Administration of intra-arterial or systemic thrombolytic therapy in previous 7 days Need for antiplatelet agent, unfractionated or heparin-related products, direct thrombin inhibitor, oral anticoagulant within 24 hours after treatment bolus. Treatment with low molecular weight heparin, direct thrombin inhibitor, or GPIIb/IIIa antagonists within 48 hours prior to randomisation Treatment with vitamin-K antagonists or heparin (or heparin-related compounds) which results in either an INR>1.4 or an aPTT>2 times control (ULN for the hospital laboratory)