MR Evidence of Cardiac Inflammation Post-Stroke

Launched by LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OR LAWSON RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ST. JOSEPH'S · Feb 3, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "MR Evidence of Cardiac Inflammation Post-Stroke," is investigating how inflammation in the heart may occur after a certain type of stroke called an ischemic stroke, which happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked. The study aims to enroll 44 patients who have recently experienced an acute stroke in the middle part of the brain, specifically affecting either the right or left side. Additionally, 24 control participants who have had similar neurological symptoms but do not have a brain infarct will also be included. The goal is to better understand the connection between heart health and stroke recovery.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be between the ages of 65 and 74 and must have experienced an acute ischemic stroke, confirmed by imaging tests. However, individuals with certain pre-existing heart conditions, recent infections, or other specific health issues will not be able to participate. Those who join the study can expect to undergo imaging tests to check for heart inflammation and will be monitored throughout the trial. This research could help improve our understanding of stroke recovery and the role of heart health in that process.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Acute ischemic stroke in the right or left MCA territory. Acute ischemic stroke is defined as acute onset focal symptoms matching an acute brain infarct documented on Head computed tomography or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI of the brain showing restricted diffusion.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of known atrial fibrillation, prior myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, heart failure, prior cardiovascular surgery or percutaneous intervention.
• • Previous stroke (occurred within 3 months before the index event)
• • Impaired renal function defined as a creatinine clearance \<97 mL/min in men or \<88 mL/min in women, according to the Cockcroft formula.
• • hs-TnT \>100 on routine acute stroke baseline bloodwork upon admission.
• • Clinically or neurologically unstable patients as per the treating physician.
• • Ongoing infection or recent infection within the previous 3 months
• • Surgery within 3 months before the stroke
• • Concurrent and active inflammatory conditions (connective tissue diseases, rheumatological disease, etc.) or use of anti-inflammatory medications
• • Pregnancy, Stage IV renal insufficiency, eGFR \<30, and any other contraindications to the use of gadolinium.
• • Stroke with symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation
• • Subjects will be excluded if they fail the LHSC standard MRI screening questionnaire (cardiac pacemakers/wires, aneurysm clips, shunt/surgical clips, shrapnel/bullets, dentures or metal braces, intra-uterine devices, heart valves, ear implants, prostheses, medication patches such as Nicoderm, Habitrol, or Transderm-Nitro, claustrophobia, history of a head or eye injury involving metal fragments.