Endovascular reopening of chronically blocked intracranial arteries
Feasibility of Endovascular Recanalization for Symptomatic Chronic Intradural Large Vessel Occlusions - Re-CHILL Study
This project will try endovascular recanalization to reopen chronically blocked brain arteries in people with symptomatic intracranial large-vessel occlusions to see if it is safe and improves outcomes.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Essen and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07072026 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study collects consecutive patients who underwent endovascular recanalization for symptomatic chronic intradural large-vessel occlusions at participating centers between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024. The team will record technical success, perioperative complication rates, and clinical outcomes such as functional status and stroke recurrence. Cases include intradural internal carotid, middle cerebral, vertebral, and basilar artery occlusions and focus on procedural feasibility in these technically challenging locations. Procedural details and adverse events will be characterized to inform safety and guide future treatment strategies.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with symptomatic chronic intracranial large-vessel occlusions from atherosclerosis (ICA, MCA, VA, or BA) who remain symptomatic despite medical therapy and are treated at a participating center.
Not a fit: Patients with large completed infarcts, severe comorbidities that make procedures unsafe, asymptomatic occlusions, or who decline the procedure are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the procedure could restore cerebral blood flow and reduce recurrent strokes and disability in selected patients.
How similar studies have performed: Small case series and single-center cohorts have reported that endovascular recanalization for chronic intracranial occlusions can be feasible, but results are mixed and intradural occlusions remain less studied and higher-risk.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * all consecutive patients who undergone endovascular recanalization for chronic intradural large vessel occlusions between January 1st, 2020, and December 31st, 2024 involving the following locations: internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), vertebral artery (VA), and basilar artery (BA) Exclusion Criteria: * presence of documented written or verbal refusal
Where this trial is running
Essen and 1 other locations
- Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus — Essen, Germany (Recruiting)
- Inselspital Bern, University Hospital Bern — Bern, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Petra Cimflova, MD, PhD
- Email: petra.cimflova@insel.ch
- Phone: +41316640831
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.