Imaging and Serological Biomarkers of Autonomic Dysfunction After Ischemic Stroke

Launched by UNIVERSITÄTSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF · Dec 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how autonomic dysfunction—problems with the automatic functions of the body like heart rate and blood pressure—affects patients who have had an acute ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The researchers want to understand how often this dysfunction occurs, how it changes over time, and how the location of brain damage impacts these automatic functions. They will use advanced imaging techniques and blood tests to study these connections.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be over 18 years old and have had either an acute ischemic stroke or a TIA within the last 72 hours. It's important that they could walk independently before their stroke or TIA. Participants will undergo tests to measure their heart and nervous system function, as well as brain scans and blood tests. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to gather valuable information that could improve care for future stroke patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of either
• • acute ischemic stroke with either an ischemic lesion visible on CT/MRI or persistent focal deficits 24 hours after symptom onset, or
• • Transient ischemic attack with transient clinical deficits including motor or speech disturbance and not restricted to isolated vertigo/dizziness, visual disturbance, or sensory disturbance.
• • symptom onset within 72h prior to hospital admission,
• • a pre-stroke/TIA ability to walk without help from another person (modified Rankin scale score \< 4),
• • age \> 18 years, and
• • informed consent by either the patient or a legal representative (including a spouse)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • In-hospital stroke,
• • contraindications to MR imaging (e.g., claustrophobia, pregnancy, pacemakers, implants),
• • known moderate to severe dementia,
• • previous structural brain damage (except leukoariosis due to cerebral small vessel disease),
• • hemodynamically relevant stenosis of the common or internal carotid artery, or
• • left heart failure with estimated left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50%,
• • concomitant systemic illness that can lead to dysautonomia, such as an active infection, thyroid disease, or neurodegenerative disorder (e.g. PD, MSA).