Publication of results of competing trials SELECT2 & Angel Aspect

TENSION (Efficacy and safety of ThrombEctomy iN Stroke with extended leSION and extended time window) is a prospective, open label, blinded endpoint (PROBE), European two-arm, randomized, controlled, post-market study to compare the safety and effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy as compared to best medical care alone in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with extended stroke lesions defined by an Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) score of 3-5 and in an extended time window (up to 12 hours or unknown time of symptom onset). Up to 665 subjects will be randomized. Primary endpoint will be functional outcome assessed by the modified Rankin scale at 90 days post-stroke ("mRS shift analysis"). By this, TENSION will provide evidence of efficacy and safety of thrombectomy in an acute stroke population with uncertain benefit of endovascular stroke treatment.

This study is a prospective, open label, blinded endpoint (PROBE),European, two-arm, randomized, controlled, post-market study to compare the safety and effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy as compared to best medical care alone in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with extended stroke lesions defined by an ASPECT score of 3-5 and in an extended time window (up to 12 hours, or unknown time of symptom onset). This is an adaptive design study, with prospectively stated interim analyses with specified stopping rules allowing for the possibility early termination based on either a determination of study success or futility.

Up to 665 subjects will be enrolled in the study and randomized for the Intention to treat analysis set. The randomization will be stratified by time from symptom onset (0-6h and 6-11h/wake up stroke), and stroke severity (NIHSS ≤18, NIHSS >18).

Interim data analysis is planned after the primary endpoint has been obtained for one third and two thirds of the patients. At each of these sample sizes, the available 90-day mRS data for each treatment arm will be evaluated. Safety interim analysis will be performed after one third and two thirds of the patients have been included.

Subjects who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following two treatment arms:

Arm 1: best medical care Arm 2: endovascular thrombectomy and best medical care The primary objective of this study is to test efficacy and safety of thrombectomy in acute stroke patients with uncertain benefit of endovascular stroke treatment, i.e. extended ischemic lesion size with an ASPECT score of 3-5 or late (up to 12 hours) or unknown time window as compared to best medical care alone.

Approximately 40 sites in Up to 20 sites in 8-10 European countries Patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) based on focal occlusion in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and/or the intracranial segment of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA), determined by Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) or Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA), and who meet all eligibility criteria will be considered for study enrollment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Randomization within 11 hours after stroke onset (if known) or last seen well.
• Endovascular treatment is expected to be finished within 12 hours after known symptom onset or last seen well by judgment of the interventional neuroradiologist in charge (if stroke onset is known).
• Patient must demonstrate clinical signs and symptoms attributable to target area of occlusion consistent with the diagnosis of ischemic stroke, including impairment of the following: language, motor function, sensation, cognition, gaze, and/or vision for at least 30 minutes without relevant improvement.
• Female and male patient above 18 years of age
• NIHSS Score of <26
• Signed informed consent (IC) form by patient or legal guardian, or inclusion of patient's presumptive will by investigator under emergency situation, but after consultation of an independent physician who is familiar with these types of illness if the other options are not possible according to local approval.
• Prior to new focal neurological deficit, mRS score was ≤2.

Imaging Inclusion Criteria

• A new focal occlusion confirmed by imaging (MRA/CTA) to be accessible to the thrombectomy device, and located in the M1 of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and/or the intracranial segment of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA).
• CT (non-contrast CT) or DWI with an ASPECT score of 3-5

Clinical exclusion criteria

• Patient is an active participant in another drug or device treatment trial for any disease state or patient is expected to start participation in another drug or device treatment trial while enrolled in this protocol, unless approved by Sponsor.
• Patient has pre-existing neurological or psychiatric disease that could impede the study results or would confound the neurological or functional evaluations.
• Patient has vascular disease preventing endovascular treatment (e.g. aortic dissection or aneurysm, no arterial transfemoral access)
• Patient has history of contraindication for contrast medium.
• Patient is known to have infective endocarditis
• Patient's anticipated life expectancy is less than 6 Months12 months

Imaging exclusion criteria

• ExtracaranialExtracranial CT scan or MR angiography showing high grade stenosis expected to require acute stent placement (especially e.g. ICAACI stenting) during the procedure to get access to the occlusion
• CT or MRI with evidence of: Mass mass effect or intracranial tumor, or hypodensity on unenhanced CT and
• If CT perfusion is done per institutional standard: CBV drop on CBV maps on CTP, or, alternatively as with an ASPECT score of 0-2
• If DWI is done per institutional standard,: restricted diffusion on DWI with an ASPECT score of 0-2, or above 5