Heart assessment to check repeat-stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation
CARE-AF: Cardiac Assessment for Recurrent Stroke Risk Evaluation in Atrial Fibrillation
This project will test whether detailed heart examinations can find which people with atrial fibrillation who just had an ischemic stroke are at high risk of having another stroke.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bern) |
| Trial ID | NCT06954610 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational cohort enrolls adults with known or newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation who present with an acute ischemic stroke within seven days. Participants receive detailed cardiac evaluations (for example cardiac imaging, rhythm monitoring, and review of anticoagulation) and clinical data are collected. Patients are followed over time for recurrent stroke and related outcomes without changing prescribed treatments. The goal is to identify cardiac features linked to so-called "breakthrough" strokes despite anticoagulation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with permanent, persistent, or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and an acute (≤7 days) symptomatic ischemic stroke who can give informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without atrial fibrillation, without a recent ischemic stroke, those with life expectancy under one year, or those unable to attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians identify high-risk patients and guide closer monitoring or targeted interventions to prevent repeat strokes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of anticoagulants documented a residual risk of breakthrough stroke and some observational work has suggested cardiac markers may predict recurrence, but clear, validated predictors are still lacking.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Written informed consent (by patient, next of kin or legally authorised representative) * Permanent, persistent, or paroxysmal AF previously known or diagnosed during the index hospitalisation * Acute (≤7 days), symptomatic ischemic stroke Exclusion Criteria: * Life expectancy \<1 year according to the opinion of the investigator * Patient is unlikely to attend follow-up visits
Where this trial is running
Bern
- Inselspital Bern — Bern, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David Seiffge, Prof. MD — Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland
- Study coordinator: David Seiffge, Prof. MD
- Email: david.seiffge@insel.ch
- Phone: +41316640509
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.