Antiplatelet Versus Anticoagulation TREATment Strategies in Cervical Artery Dissection - TREAT-CAD 2 - A Multicenter, Randomized, Two-arm Parallel Group, Open-label, Blinded Endpoint, Pragmatic Trial

The goal of this clinical randomised controlled trial is to compare two treatment strategies - antiplatelet treatment strategy versus anticoagulation treatment strategy - in patients with acute, ischemic Cervical Artery Dissection (CAD). The study population includes patients presenting with any (clinical or imaging) signs of cerebral ischemia due to CAD.

The trial aims to estimate the net effect of antiplatelet versus anticoagulation treatment strategies on the composite primary outcome including recurrent ischemic stroke, major bleeding, or vascular death at 90 days (±2 weeks) after randomization.

Participants will:

• be randomly allocated to antiplatelet treatment strategy or anticoagulation treatment strategy
• receive treatment according to assigned strategy for the study period of 90 days
• be followed up for 90 days (±2 weeks) after randomization
• undergo clinical assessments to monitor for stroke recurrence, bleeding events, and vascular death Participant reported outcomes will be assessed both at 90 days (±2 weeks) and 12 months (± 4 weeks) after enrolment and will also expand to measures of quality of life and mental health outcomes.