title: Serendipitous recanalization of basilar artery occlusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a case of recanalization of a basilar artery occlusion with intravenous (IV) tenecteplase.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 74-year-old man with a history of cardiomyopathy presented to an outside hospital with acute vertigo, dysarthria, gaze deviation, and ataxia. Computerized tomography arteriography demonstrated occlusion of the proximal basilar artery. IV tissue plasminogen activator was ordered; however, the patient received a cardiac dose of IV tenecteplase. The patient was transferred to our facility, whereby symptoms resolved, and repeat computerized tomography arteriography displayed recanalization of the basilar artery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tenecteplase has enhanced biochemical and pharmacokinetic properties that may be ideal for treatment of basilar artery occlusion and should be further investigated in a randomized clinical trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA. Electronic address: jswitzer@gru.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Switzer
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Forseen
authors.forename: Askiel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D000077785:Tenecteplase; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D000077785:Tenecteplase
keywords: Basilar artery occlusion; acute stroke; tenecteplase; thrombolytic therapy