title: A randomized controlled clinical trial to compare the safety and efficacy of edaravone in acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Edaravone has potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. Few Japanese studies had demonstrated its neuroprotective role in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of edaravone in terms of functional outcome in a group of Indian patients of AIS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients of AIS were randomly divided into two groups. The study group received 30 mg of edaravone twice daily for 14 days by infusion, while control group received normal saline infusion as placebo. Outcome assessment was done by the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). MRS score ≤2 at 90 days was considered as a favorable outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 25 patients, 18 (72%) had favorable outcomes (MRS ≤2) at 90 days in edaravone group, while 10 (40%) of 25 patients in placebo group had favorable outcome (P < 0.005). Two patients expired (one in each group) during treatment. The mean Barthel index increased from 41.20 ± 32.70 at baseline to 82.40 ± 18.32 at day 90 in edaravone group as compared with placebo group in which scores were 44.20 ± 22.76 at baseline and 68.20 ± 21.30 at day 90 (P < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We therefore conclude that edaravone effectively improves functional outcome in AIS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, CSM Medical University, Lucknow, U.P., India.
authors.forename: Pawan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Singh