Intra-arterial Thrombectomy as an Acute Treatment Intervention for Stoke: the Endovascular Acute Stoke Intervention (EASI) Trial
Intra-arterial Thrombectomy as an Acute Treatment Intervention for Stoke: the Endovascular Acute Stoke Intervention (EASI) Trial
Stroke constitutes the primary cause of acquired disability in adults and the second cause of dementia following Alzheimer disease. It has been shown that patients with a moderate to severe clinical score have occlusion of brain large vessels, resulting in a worse clinical outcome. Many studies have demonstrated that early recanalization after IV rtPA is more restricted, the larger and more proximal the artery. Several systems for mechanical intracranial arterial thrombectomy of large trunks have recently been proposed and are now available. Potential advantages of these mechanical systems on chemical thrombolysis are speed (a few minutes versus 1 hour) and absence of thrombolytic injection.
The objective of the EASI trial is thus to:
The design is a randomized, controlled multicentric trial, with a parallel comparison between standard and combined (standard plus thrombectomy) treatment.
480 patients fulfilling eligibility criteria will be sufficient to demonstrate the primary hypothesis of a 15% difference in number of subjects with a favorable mRS (less than or equal to 2) at 3 months, with the assumption of a 25% efficacy for IV thrombolytic treatment at 3 months.
IV thrombolysis is carried out according to standard practice. Mechanical thrombectomy is carried out with already approved devices, according to the manufacturer's instructions, following a diagnostic cerebral angiography.
The primary efficacy endpoint is clinical: favorable mRS (less than or equal to 2) at 3 months.
The primary safety endpoint is rate of death at 3 months and rate of symptomatic hemorrhage at 24 hours.
If the primary hypothesis is validated, expected benefits of this study is a higher rate of autonomy for stroke patients with all the attendant consequences: reduction in hospital stays, and a faster return to the activities of daily life.
Background Stroke constitutes the primary cause of acquired disability in adults and the second cause of dementia following Alzheimer disease. The burden of disease may be substantial since 25% of the victims of stroke are younger than 65 years. Standard treatment is IV rtPA thrombolysis, within 3-4.5 hours of first signs. It has been shown that patients with a moderate to severe clinical score (NIHSS more than 10) have occlusion of proximal large vessels, resulting in a more adverse clinical outcome. Many studies have demonstrated that early recanalization after IV rtPA is more restricted, the larger and more proximal the artery. Recanalization of large arteries occurs more frequently and earlier (leading to better prognosis) with arterial than with venous access. Biochemical arterial treatment appears thus of greater efficacy in terms of recanalization of large vessels, but more inconvenient with respect to setup delays. Several systems for mechanical intracranial arterial thrombectomy of large trunks have recently been proposed and are now available. Results of short case series and prospective multicentric non randomized studies appear favorable. The thrombus obstructing the artery is reached by endovascular means and mechanically removed with the result that orthograde blood flow is re-established in the cerebral territory involved in the ischemia. Potential advantages of these mechanical systems on chemical thrombolysis are speed (a few minutes versus 1 hour) and absence of thrombolytic injection. Mechanical thrombolysis should thus lead to better results than injection of an arterial thrombolytic agent, as well as increase the time window for treatment. In addition, hemorrhagic complications should be reduced.
Objectives
In situations where IV rtPA thrombolysis is not optimal, that is in presumed embolic occlusions of large intracranial arterial trunks (terminal carotid, initial segment of the MCA, distal third of the basilar trunk) with a moderate to severe clinical state (NIHSS greater or equal to 8) and in situations when IV rtPA may be contra-indicated:
Design EASI is a randomized, controlled multicentric trial, with a parallel comparison between standard and combined (standard plus thrombectomy) treatment. All adults presenting less than 5 hours after the beginning of symptoms with an NIHSS greater or equal to 8 discordant with imaging data are eligible. Occlusion site, when available, includes intracranial carotid artery, M1 segment of middle cerebral and basilar artery.
480 patients fulfilling eligibility criteria will be sufficient to demonstrate the primary hypothesis of a 15% difference in number of subjects with a favorable mRS (greater than 2) at 3 months, with the assumption of a 25% efficacy (mRS less or equal to 2) for IV thrombolytic treatment at 3 months.
Randomization may take place any time following admission, including during IV thrombolysis. The choice of early randomization, without knowledge of the clinical or angiographic results of IV thrombolysis fulfils several objectives: allow timely delivery of a proven treatment; prevent unnecessary exposure to angiography risks; set up thrombectomy as fast as possible for a maximal efficacy.
IV thrombolysis is carried out according to standard practice. Mechanical thrombectomy is carried out with already approved devices, according to the manufacturer's instructions, following a diagnostic cerebral angiography.
Follow-up includes brain imaging and the mRS at 3 months.
Endpoint measures include:
The primary efficacy endpoint is clinical: favorable mRS (less than or equal to 2) at 3 months.
The primary safety endpoint is rate of death at 3 months and rate of symptomatic hemorrhage at 24 hours.
Secondary efficacy endpoints include:
Secondary safety endpoints include
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: