RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Plaque Imaging in Routine Care to Detect Intraplaque Hemorrhage

This study aims to understand if a special MRI scan of the neck arteries can help explain why someone has had a stroke. Doctors are looking for small bleeds within the artery wall, called intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), which might make a person more likely to have a stroke. By using existing MRI scans from routine care, researchers want to see if finding these bleeds helps them understand the cause of a stroke better. This could lead to more targeted treatments and help prevent future strokes. They are following some patients over a year and also looking at past patient information to learn more about this connection.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich

Enrolment target

300

Start

16 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2029

Acute Ischemic Stroke

What is this study about?

When someone has a stroke, it's really important for doctors to find out why it happened. This is because knowing the cause helps them give the best treatment to prevent another one. However, for about 3 in 10 people, the cause of their stroke isn't clear. This can make it harder to decide on the most effective treatment for them.

Recent research suggests that certain features inside the arteries that lead to the brain might make strokes more likely. One such feature is a small bleed within the artery wall. These bleeds might be a sign that the artery is 'vulnerable' and could cause a stroke. Doctors can often see these vulnerable areas using special detailed MRI scans of the neck arteries. This study wants to see if finding these bleeds, using a simple MRI scan already done for stroke patients, can help doctors understand the cause of a stroke better.

The main goal of this study is to see if finding these small bleeds in the artery walls during a routine MRI examination is linked to that person having recently had a stroke. If it is, this information could be really helpful for doctors. It could mean they can identify people at higher risk and offer them more tailored care to prevent future strokes or mini-strokes.

Key takeaways

This study investigates causes of stroke.
It uses existing MRI scans of neck arteries.
Researchers are looking for small bleeds within artery walls (IPH).
Finding IPH might help explain why a stroke occurred.
The study aims to improve future stroke diagnosis and prevention.
Some participants will have a one-year telephone follow-up.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who have recently had a stroke. To be included, you would need to have had a specific type of MRI scan of your neck arteries as part of your usual care, and this scan should not have used any special dye.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join the study. For example, if your stroke affected both sides of your brain or a specific back part of your brain, or if too much time (more than 10 days) passed between your stroke symptoms and your MRI scan. You also couldn't take part if you've already had a procedure to clear your neck arteries, are under 18 years old, or have a very short life expectancy for other reasons.

Additionally, to join the forward-looking part of the study (where they follow you up), you would need to be able to understand and sign a consent form.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have I recently had a stroke?
Did I have a non-contrast MRI scan of my neck arteries as part of my stroke diagnosis?
Am I 18 years old or older?
Do I not have a short remaining life expectancy for other health reasons?
Can I understand and sign a consent form if asked to join the follow-up part?
Have I not had certain previous procedures on my neck arteries?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, it's mostly about allowing the research team to look at the MRI scans you've already had as part of your routine care for your stroke. They will also collect other information from your medical records. For some participants, the study will also involve telephone calls over one year to check on your health and if you've had any further strokes or mini-strokes. You won't need to take any new medications or have any extra hospital visits just for this study beyond your usual stroke care. The total duration of your involvement, if you are part of the follow-up, would be one year.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no major risks to taking part in this study, as it mainly involves looking at your existing medical information and MRI scans. You won't undergo any extra procedures or take new medicines. The potential benefit is that the information gathered could help doctors better understand the causes of stroke, which might lead to better ways to prevent and treat strokes in the future. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this won't affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research
Verified postcode
Munich, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'carotid artery'?

The carotid arteries are major blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain.

What is 'intraplaque hemorrhage' (IPH)?

IPH is when there's a small bleed inside the fatty build-up (plaque) in an artery wall. It can be a sign the plaque is unstable.

Will I need extra scans or tests for this study?

No, this study uses MRI scans you've already had as part of your regular stroke diagnosis. You won't have any additional scans just for the research.

How long will I be involved in the study?

If you participate in the follow-up part of the study, it will involve telephone calls for about one year after your stroke.

What is the main goal of this research?

The main goal is to see if finding these small bleeds in neck arteries on an MRI can help doctors understand why someone had a stroke, which could lead to better future treatments.

How to find out more

Martin Dichgans, Prof.

isd@med.uni-muenchen.de +49 89 4400 46019 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.