JAMA 9 2026 Tenecteplase Before Thrombectomy at 4.5 to 24 Hours for Basilar Artery Occlusion The ATTENTION LATE Randomized Clinical Trial

This clinical study investigated whether administering the clot-busting drug tenecteplase prior to a surgical thrombectomy would benefit patients experiencing a severe stroke in the back of the brain. Researchers focused specifically on individuals who arrived at the hospital in a late time window, between 4.5 and 24 hours after their symptoms began. The trial discovered that adding the medication did not lead to higher rates of functional independence or better recovery compared to performing the surgery alone. Ultimately, the results suggest that for this specific type of stroke and timeframe, the supplemental drug treatment offers no additional clinical advantage in patient outcomes or safety.