Abciximab is a drug that prevents platelets from sticking together and forming a clot. There are limited studies using abciximab in the treatment of strokes. This phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study is designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of abciximab for treatment of acute ischemic stroke, in helping dissolve clots in brain arteries so that blood and oxygen can flow better and there may be less brain damage.~Safety evaluations will be performed at specified intervals throughout the study and will consist of laboratory tests, vital signs (such as blood pressure), physical examinations and the occurrence and severity of adverse events as well as other study specific procedures. Patients will receive either Abciximab: 0.25 mg/kg bolus (to a maximum of 30 mg) followed by a 0.125 µg/kg/min infusion (to a maximum of 10 µg/min) for 12 hours or a bolus of placebo followed by infusion for 12 hours
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of abciximab in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.