Auto-regulation & cerebral blood flow in TIA patients v2 (ARCETIA)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Auto-regulation and cerebral blood flow in Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) patients attending a Stroke/TIA Clinic: implications for stroke prevention
IRAS ID
136384
Contact name
Julie Northam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN24811371
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke) is a warning sign of a possible future stroke and it is vital it is treated seriously and as early as possible. Following a TIA, 10-20% patients will have a stroke in the first year and this rises to more than a third in those who have had more TIAs.
The aim of the study is to investigate whether there is a link between impaired blood flow in the brain following a TIA and the presence of the protein (albumin) in the urine of TIA patients.
Patients between (18-80 year) age, with a confirmed first time TIA and normal cognitive function will be eligible for the study. Those patients with a previous history of TIA or stroke will be excluded. Patients will be grouped based on the presence or absence of albumin in their urine. The study will be conducted at the TIA clinic of Salisbury District Hospital.
In addition to the standard examination, all participants will be asked to give a urine sample timed at 24h after the TIA event. This will be used to place them in the appropriate patient group. A small quantity of the urine sample will be kept for further protein analysis at a later date. Measurements of blood flow in the brain will be taken in a quiet room in the hospital using Trans-Cranial Doppler (a non-invasive ultrasound measurement). This will be compared to changes in blood pressure measured by a finger plethysmograph (this uses light to measure blood flow). These tests will take a further 40-60 minutes of the patient’s time.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0287
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion