Angiogenic Markers in Cerebrovascular Disease (ANFIS)

Launched by CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · Jan 21, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This is a prospective, observational study at Cedars-Sinai called ANFIS. Researchers are looking at people who have intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS), a condition where major arteries inside the skull are narrowed. The study aims to understand how blood factors that help new blood vessels grow (angiogenic factors) relate to outcomes after stroke or mini-strokes, and to see how these factors change over time with standard medical care or indirect revascularization surgery. The main questions are whether these factors and the body’s blood vessel response are linked to future strokes or related events, and how blood levels of these factors change over two years.

Most adults 18 and older with 70% to 99% narrowing of a major intracranial artery may be eligible, as long as they don’t have a recent brain hemorrhage, a brain tumor or vascular malformation, a clear heart source of embolism, or plans for major brain surgery soon. Participation involves regular medical care visits and blood draws over about two years, with some imaging to watch blood vessel changes. The study will not assign a new treatment; instead, participants receive the usual care chosen by their doctors. Results could help doctors understand who is more at risk and how the body’s angiogenesis may influence recovery, potentially guiding future therapies. Enrollment is ongoing, with about 300 participants expected, and data sharing plans are not yet decided.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 70% to 99% ICAS of a major intracranial artery diagnosed by angio, TCD, MRA, or CTA.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Intracranial tumor or vascular malformation.
• • Any hemorrhagic infarct within 14 days before enrollment or any other intracranial hemorrhage (subarachnoid, subdural, or epidural) within 30 days.
• • Intracranial arterial stenosis related to arterial dissection or any known infectious or vasculitic disease.
• • Presence of any unequivocal cardiac sources of embolism.
• • Major surgery within previous 30 days before enrollment or planned in the next 180 days after enrollment,
• • Severe neurologic deficit that renders the patient incapable of living independently.