Fusion imaging to guide clot-removal procedures for acute ischemic stroke
Fusion Imaging in Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke
This trial will test whether using CT-to-live angiography fusion imaging during endovascular thrombectomy helps doctors open blocked large brain arteries faster and more often in adults with acute ischemic stroke.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Region Skane Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 4 sites (Helsinki and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06975696 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a multinational, multicenter, prospective randomized trial comparing standard endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) with and without preprocedural CT-to-angiography 2D/3D fusion imaging. Participating operators will prepare 3D reconstructions from preoperative CTA and fuse them with live fluoroscopy or digital subtraction angiography during the procedure after standardized training. Approximately 300 adult patients eligible for EVT will be randomized to EVT plus Fusion or EVT alone, with primary outcomes including successful recanalization, first-pass effect, and procedure time. The fusion workflow is designed to be prepared before patient arrival and applied intra-procedurally in under a minute to avoid meaningful delays.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (age ≥18) with acute ischemic stroke who are eligible for endovascular thrombectomy and have a preoperative CT angiogram available are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without a preoperative CTA or those treated at centers that cannot perform 2D/3D fusion imaging are unlikely to receive benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, fusion imaging could increase first-pass and overall recanalization rates and shorten procedure times, potentially improving functional outcomes after large-vessel ischemic stroke.
How similar studies have performed: A prior observational study reported increases in recanalization from 82% to 100% and first-pass recanalization from 49% to 72% with fusion imaging, but randomized evidence is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥18 years. 2. Eligible for an EVT procedure Exclusion Criteria: 1. Previous inclusion in this study 2. No access to a preoperative CTA
Where this trial is running
Helsinki and 3 other locations
- Helsinki University Central Hospital — Helsinki, Finland (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Turku University Hospital — Turku, Finland (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Skane University Hospital Lund — Lund, Sweden (Recruiting)
- Örebro University Hospital — Örebro, Sweden (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Johan Wasselius, MD, PhD — Skåne University Hospital and Lund University
- Study coordinator: Johan Wasselius, MD, PhD
- Email: johan.wasselius@gmail.com
- Phone: +46-46173082
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.