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Intensified Secondary Prevention Intending a Reduction of Recurrent Events in TIA and Minor Stroke Patients

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Mini-Stroke
Interventions
Behavioral: Patient centered structured support program
Registration Number
NCT01586702
Lead Sponsor
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Brief Summary

Patients after TIA or Stroke are at high risk of experiencing a new stroke or myocardial infarction. Poor adherence to evidence based secondary prevention regimens is frequently seen. Support programs for patients may not only improve adherence to recommended therapies but also reduce the recurrence rate of stroke and heart attack. The investigators hypothesize that compared to regular care, a structured and patient centered secondary prevention program will lead to a relative risk reduction of at least 28% of recurrent vascular events.

Detailed Description

Although effective methods of secondary prevention after stroke or TIA are available, adherence to recommended evidence-based treatments is often poor. Programs for supported secondary prevention after cerebrovascular events with improved health education are promising but have not been evaluated regarding recurrent event reduction so far.

A prospective randomized trial has been started to assess the effectiveness of a patient centered structured support program intending a reduction of recurrent vascular events. Usual care consists of structured information given at discharge as well as regular outpatient care by general practitioners. The support program additionally employs a stepwise intensified support program with up to eight appointments over two years in outpatient clinics. Results of risk factor measurements and assessed adherence to medical recommendations are shared with the patients. They are also offered assistance in finding appropriate physical activities or smoking cessation programs.

Patients are randomized to regular care or regular care plus support program and will be followed-up until the total number of 317 primary endpoints has been reached. The composite primary endpoint consists of stroke, major coronary event and vascular death.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2082
Inclusion Criteria
  • Acute cerebrovascular event (either TIA or minor Stroke within 14 days before study inclusion) according to the following definitions:
  • TIA (clinical restitution within 24 hours and ABCD2-Score ≥3) or visible DWI-lesion in MRI
  • Minor stroke (mRankin ≤2 at time of inclusion)
  • Patients with at least one of the following treatable risk factors:
  • Arterial Hypertension
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Smoking
  • Written informed consent prior to study inclusion
  • Realistic perspective in keeping the outpatient appointments
Exclusion Criteria
  • Distance from home to study center not in suitable range for keeping the outpatient appointments
  • cognitive impairment jeopardizing adherence to the support program
  • Modified Rankin Score >2 at time of study inclusion
  • Malignant disease with life expectancy of less than 3 years
  • relevant alcohol or other substance abuse (except for nicotine)
  • Stroke or TIA etiology without options for evidence based secondary prevention (e.g. dissection or vasculitis)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Support programPatient centered structured support programIn addition to regular care: Up to 8 appointments in outpatient clinics. Results of risk factor measurements and assessed adherence to medical recommendations are shared with the patients. In case that a patients fails to meet target values, preventive measures will be modified directly or via recommendation to GPs / family doctors. Patients are also offered assistance in finding appropriate physical activities or smoking cessation programs.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Major vascular event consisting of nonfatal stroke, nonfatal major coronary event and vascular deathUp to 6 years from inclusion

Stroke: Acute (focal-) neurological syndrome, caused by brain infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage Major coronary event:Including instable Angina pectoris, STEMI and non-STEMI Vascular death: Caused by stroke (within 30 days of event), or major coronary event (within 7 days of event), or non-cerebral hemorrhage, or by peripheral arterial disease 30 days after vascular event or vascular intervention (intraarterial or surgical), or by pulmonary embolism or sudden death if death occurs within 24 hours in a patients with previously stable and healthy state if no non-vascular cause is documented

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Days alive and at homeParticipants will be followed-up for an average of approximately 3.5 years
All hospital admissionsParticipants will be followed-up for an average of approximately 3.5 years
Non vascular deathParticipants will be followed-up for an average of approximately 3.5 years
Other vascular diseases leading to hospital admission (excl. primary outcome measure)Participants will be followed-up for an average of approximately 3.5 years

Consisting of TIA, Angina pectoris, PAD with vascular intervention

All hospital admissions with vascular intervention (intraarterial or surgical)Participants will be followed-up for an average of approximately 3.5 years
BleedingsParticipants will be followed-up for an average of approximately 3.5 years

All bleedings leading to therapeutic intervention (categorized according to GUSTO definitions)

Level of dependencyUp to 6 years from inclusion

Assessment according to modified Rankin Score and level of care (German care insurance)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Dept. of Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin

🇩🇪

Berlin, Germany

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