IVT vs EVT for acute ischemic stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the neuropsychological and psychosocial outcomes following endovascular thrombectomy versus intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.
IRAS ID
254274
Contact name
Colin Wilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
Ischemic stroke accounts for 85% of all stroke cases and results from a blockage of a blood vessel in the brain leading to cell death in the surrounding tissue due to lack of oxygen (Grau et al, 2003). This is the root of disturbances in cognitive ability, emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning endured by millions of individuals across the globe, many of which are of working age (Casetta et al, 2002). This can lead to prominent challenges in re-negotiating roles and abilities previously central to the individual’s self-identity. This project aims to evaluate the impact of two types of medical intervention for acute ischemic stroke on patients' cognitive, emotional and functional outcomes. The two treatments under evaluation are intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Both are routine interventions administered to patients presenting to hospital shortly following the onset of stroke (i.e. during the ‘acute’ phase) to restore bloodflow in the affected areas of the brain. EVT is a relatively new and fast-evolving intervention and as such there is a paucity of research investigating its psychological outcomes. This study will also seek to examine the relationship between psychological resilience and psychosocial functioning post-stroke to help inform psychological intervention. These explorations will be carried out through quantitative analysis of the results of a battery of structured and validated neuropsychological and psychosocial tests (‘psychometrics’) administered to patients who have received either treatment in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust between one and five years ago. The testing will take up to 2 hours per participant. Participants will be selected by treating stroke clinicians based on specific inclusion/exclusion criteria and will be sent a recruitment pack inviting them to take part. The study will be conducted in Belfast Trust premises.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0061
Date of REC Opinion
20 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion