RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Endovascular Recanalization for Symptomatic Chronic Intradural Occlusions

This study, called "Endovascular Recanalization for Symptomatic Chronic Intradural Occlusions," is exploring a treatment for blocked blood vessels inside the brain. These blockages can lead to strokes. The treatment, called endovascular recanalisation, involves using tiny tools threaded through blood vessels to open up the blockage. This study aims to find out if this procedure is a safe and effective option for people with long-term, blocked brain arteries. It's an observational study, meaning researchers are looking back at what has happened to patients who've already had this treatment and also collecting new information from patients currently undergoing it. They want to understand how well patients recover and if there are any problems with the treatment.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

Enrolment target

Start

15 May 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Intracranial Stenosis Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease

What is this study about?

This study is about a problem where blood vessels inside the brain become very narrowed or completely blocked over time. This condition, often called 'intracranial stenosis' or 'atherosclerotic disease,' can significantly increase the risk of a stroke because the brain isn't getting enough blood. Symptoms might include weakness, numbness, problems with speech, or other issues related to a mini-stroke or a full stroke.

The study is looking at a treatment called 'endovascular recanalisation.' This is a procedure where a specialist doctor uses thin tubes (catheters) guided through your blood vessels, usually from your groin or arm, up to the blocked artery in your brain. Once there, they can use various small tools to try and open up the blockage and restore normal blood flow. This is a complex procedure, especially for blockages deep inside the brain, and it's still being studied to understand its best use.

The main goal of this research is to see how well patients do after having this procedure for long-term blockages in the brain's major arteries. Researchers want to know how successful the procedure is at opening the artery, if there are any serious side effects or complications, and how patients' abilities (like walking, talking, and looking after themselves) are affected three months and longer after the treatment. This information will help doctors decide if and when this advanced treatment should be used more widely.

Key takeaways

This study is looking at a procedure to open blocked arteries in the brain.
It aims to understand how safe and effective this treatment is for long-term blockages.
The information comes from patients who have already had or are having the procedure.
No extra tests or treatments are involved for study participants.
The results could help doctors decide if and when to use this treatment in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at information from patients who have already had or are having a specific procedure called 'endovascular recanalisation.' To be included in the study, patients needed to have undergone this treatment between January 2020 and December 2024.

The treatment must have been performed to open up a long-standing blockage in one of the main arteries deep inside their brain. These arteries include the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, vertebral artery, and basilar artery. Patients must also have been experiencing symptoms related to this blockage, such as having had a stroke or mini-stroke, or showing signs of brain damage on scans due to lack of blood flow.

Anyone who has specifically said they don't want their medical information used for research purposes would not be included. Otherwise, if you meet the description above, information about your treatment might be part of this study.

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.

Did I have a procedure to open a blocked artery in my brain between January 2020 and December 2024?
Was this blockage in a main artery inside my brain (like the carotid, middle cerebral, vertebral, or basilar artery)?
Was I experiencing symptoms (like stroke or mini-stroke) because of this blockage?
Have I not previously said I don't want my medical information used for research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is mainly collecting medical information from patients who have already had the endovascular recanalisation procedure or are undergoing it. This means you wouldn't directly 'participate' in the traditional sense of having extra appointments or taking new medications specifically for this study. Instead, if you fit the criteria, your existing medical records from your treatment (like details of your procedure, hospital stays, follow-up scans, and recovery notes) might be reviewed and included in the research. The study will gather information about your symptoms, other health conditions, details of the procedure itself, and how you recovered, particularly at 3 months and at your latest follow-up. The information collected covers your health journey between January 2020 and December 2024.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefit of sharing your anonymised data with this study is that it helps doctors learn more about the safety and effectiveness of this complex procedure for blocked brain arteries. This knowledge could help improve treatment for future patients who face similar health challenges. As your data is being collected from routine medical care, there are no direct extra risks to you from simply being included in this observational study. The procedure itself carries risks, which your doctor would have discussed with you before you had it. You always have the right to say no to your medical information being used for research, and your decision would not affect the quality of your medical care.

Locations (2)

Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus
Verified postcode
Essen, Germany· Recruiting
Inselspital Bern, University Hospital Bern
Verified postcode
Bern, Switzerland· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an 'intradural occlusion'?

It means a main blood vessel supplying the brain is completely blocked from the inside, within the protective layers surrounding the brain.

What is 'endovascular recanalisation'?

It's a procedure where doctors use special small tools and tubes threaded through blood vessels to open up a blocked artery, usually in the brain.

Will I have to do anything extra if I'm in this study?

No, this study mainly reviews existing medical records. You won't have extra appointments or need to take different medicines just for the study.

What kind of blockages are they looking at?

They're focusing on long-standing (chronic) blockages in major brain arteries like the internal carotid, middle cerebral, vertebral, and basilar arteries.

How will this study help people?

By understanding more about this treatment, doctors can make better decisions about using it for future patients with similar blocked brain arteries, potentially improving their outcomes.

How to find out more

Petra Cimflova, MD, PhD

petra.cimflova@insel.ch +41316640831 Official trial record

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