Animal models have shown that neuroprotectants, including free radical trapping agents, decrease injury after ischemic stroke.
NXY-059 is a promising neuroprotective agent that was studied in the SAINT I and II trials.
SAINT I showed that NXY-059 used within 6 hours of ischemic stroke resulted in significant improvement in the primary outcome measure of reduced disability at 90 days.
SAINT II was done to confirm the results of SAINT I with a larger study population, but unfortunately did not show any significant difference in mortality between NXY-059 and placebo. There was also no difference in adverse reactions, however.
More research is needed to determine the best neuroprotective agent to be used acutely for ischemic stroke.
The future of emergency treatment of ischemic stroke will likely include such agents, to be administered by emergency physicians.
