Stroke: an evaluation of Thrombectomy in the Ageing Brain Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stroke: an evaluation of Thrombectomy in the Ageing Brain - [including] where IV thromboLysis fails or is contraindicated.
IRAS ID
142197
Contact name
Phil White
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development
Research summary
Most strokes are caused by a clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain. These can often be treated with a ‘clot busting’ (thrombolytic) drug. A ‘clot busting’ drug is less likely to open the blocked blood vessel if the clot is larger. Some people have medical conditions which mean that it is not safe to give them a ‘clot busting’ drug.
Medical devices that can remove clots (clot pullers or retrievers) may be used as an additional treatment to thrombolysis or instead of no active treatment where thrombolysis cannot be given – called thrombectomy. Such devices are more likely to open up the blocked blood vessel, but are more complicated to use. There is no evidence they have any more risk than thrombolytic drugs.
We are doing a study to investigate whether treatment using a purpose designed new clot-retrieving device is at least as safe and effective in unblocking the occluded blood vessel after an acute stroke, as existing devices. The new device has design features that may be particularly useful in elderly patients.
We will investigate whether additional brain imaging would be helpful in acute stroke patients treated with clot pullers by:
1) Examining whether analysis of the blood vessels on the scans taken before treatment starts can predict who will or who will not do well, and seek if there is any link to age.
2) Detailed MRI brain scan 24 hours after treatment to see if scan findings at that stage can predict long term outcome, identify complications not appreciated on routine CT and see whether these are linked to age.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0113
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion