Key design elements of successful acute ischemic stroke treatment trials

Laetitia Yperzeele1, Ashkan Shoamanesh2, Y. Vishnu Venugopalan3, Sherita Chapman4, Michael V. Mazya5, Marina Charalambous6, Valeria Caso7, Werner Hacke8, Philip M Bath9, Ivan Koltsov10
1Antwerp NeuroVascular Center and Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
2Division of Neurology, McMaster University / Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
3Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
4Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
5Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
6Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
7Stroke Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
8Department of Neurology, Ruprechts Karl University, Heidelberg, Germany
9Stroke Trials Unit, Mental Health & Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
10Cerebrovascular Diseases Laboratory, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia

Tóm tắt

Abstract Purpose We review key design elements of positive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment and summarize their main characteristics. Method We searched Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane databases for positive RCTs in AIS treatment. Trials were included if (1) they had a randomized controlled design, with (at least partial) blinding for endpoints, (2) they tested against placebo (or on top of standard therapy in a superiority design) or against approved therapy; (3) the protocol was registered and/or published before trial termination and unblinding (if required at study commencement); (4) the primary endpoint was positive in the intention to treat analysis; and (5) the study findings led to approval of the investigational product and/or high ranked recommendations. A topical approach was used, therefore the findings were summarized as a narrative review. Findings Seventeen positive RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The majority of trials included less than 1000 patients (n = 15), had highly selective inclusion criteria (n = 16), used the modified Rankin score as a primary endpoint (n = 15) and had a frequentist design (n = 16). Trials tended to be national (n = 12), investigator-initiated and performed with public funding (n = 11). Discussion Smaller but selective trials are useful to identify efficacy in a particular subgroup of stroke patients. It may also be of advantage to limit the number of participating countries and centers to avoid heterogeneity in stroke management and bureaucratic burden. Conclusion The key characteristics of positive RCTs in AIS treatment described here may assist in the design of further trials investigating a single intervention with a potentially high effect size.

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