RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Transmission Electron Microscopy Images for Platelet Ultrastructural Criteria Before and After the Onset of an Antiplatelet Agent

Doctors are doing a study on people admitted to hospital after an ischaemic stroke. This is a type of stroke caused by a blood clot. They want to examine tiny cells in the blood called platelets using special magnifying equipment (transmission electron microscopy). They will take blood samples to look at these platelets both before and after patients start taking blood-thinning medication. The main goal is to see how the medicine changes the platelets at a very detailed level. By understanding these changes, doctors hope to find better ways to monitor how well blood-thinning treatments work, which could help prevent future strokes.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Enrolment target

Start

13 Dec 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Ischemic Stroke

What is this study about?

This study is about a type of stroke called an ischaemic stroke, which happens when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain. After this type of stroke, doctors often give medicines to thin the blood and stop clots from forming again. These medicines are called antiplatelet agents because they stop tiny blood cells called platelets from sticking together.

At the moment, it can be tricky for doctors to know exactly how well these blood-thinning medicines are working in each patient. Current tests don't always give a full picture of what's happening. This study aims to use a very powerful microscope called a transmission electron microscope to look at patients' platelets in incredible detail.

By taking pictures of platelets before and after patients start their blood-thinning medicine, researchers hope to see specific changes in these cells. They believe these detailed pictures could show how activated the platelets are and how effectively the medicine is working. This information could eventually help doctors make better decisions about which blood-thinning medicines to use and how to best prevent more strokes.

Key takeaways

This study examines blood platelets from stroke patients.
It looks at changes in platelets before and after starting blood-thinning medicines.
A special microscope shows tiny details of the platelets.
The goal is to understand how well medicines prevent future strokes.
Participation involves blood tests and a follow-up at 6 months.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you must be an adult (18 years or older) who has been admitted to hospital for a specific type of stroke called an ischaemic stroke. This means your stroke was caused by a blood clot, not a bleed in the brain. You will also need to be starting antiplatelet, or blood-thinning, treatment as part of your usual care.

You must also be able to understand the study information and sign a consent form, which says you agree to take part. You also need to have social security affiliation, which typically means you are part of the UK social security system.

You cannot join the study if you have any medical reasons that prevent you from taking the antiplatelet medicine or any of its ingredients. Your doctor will check if there are any such reasons based on the medicine's official information.

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.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you recently had an ischaemic stroke?
Are your doctors planning to start you on blood-thinning (antiplatelet) medicine?
Do you have social security affiliation (e.g., NHS eligibility)?
Are you able to provide your written consent to join?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, doctors will collect blood samples from you. They will take a blood sample before you start your blood-thinning medicine for the stroke and another sample after you have started taking it. These samples will be used to look at your platelets under a powerful microscope. You will then continue to receive your usual medical care and blood-thinning treatment as decided by your doctors. The study would also involve a check-up around six months after your stroke to see if you have had another stroke. The total duration of your involvement in the study itself, from initial blood collection to the 6-month follow-up, would be around six months.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct personal benefits from taking part in this pilot study, but the information gained could help doctors better manage antiplatelet treatments for future stroke patients. The main risk involves having blood samples taken, which carries a small risk of bruising or discomfort, similar to a standard blood test. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de St-Etienne
Verified postcode
Saint-Etienne, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an ischaemic stroke?

It's a type of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to part of the brain.

What are platelets?

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that help it clot. Too many can cause harmful clots like those in a stroke.

What is antiplatelet treatment?

It's medicine that helps stop platelets from sticking together, making your blood less likely to clot and preventing further strokes.

What is a 'transmission electron microscope'?

It's a very powerful microscope that lets scientists see incredibly tiny details of cells, much smaller than a regular microscope.

Will I get different treatment if I join the study?

No, you will receive the same standard antiplatelet treatment that your doctors feel is best for you, regardless of whether you are in the study.

How to find out more

PIERRE GARNIER, MD

pierre.garnier@chu-st-etienne.fr (0)477127805 Official trial record

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