Remote ischemic conditioning after aneurysm clipping for ruptured brain aneurysms

Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Safety, Feasibility, and Preliminary Efficacy in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage After Aneurysm Clipping: An Open-Label, Evaluator-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

This test tries brief cycles of limb cuff inflation (remote ischemic conditioning) to see if it is safe and helps recovery in adults after surgical clipping of a ruptured brain aneurysm (aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage).

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beijing Tiantan Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
• Trial ID: NCT06819657 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study applies remote ischemic conditioning (RIC)—brief, repeated cycles of limb ischemia and reperfusion using a blood pressure cuff—to patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who have undergone craniotomy clipping. Eligible adults (18–80 years) who had clipping within 24 hours receive RIC in addition to guideline-based therapy, with safety and early efficacy outcomes recorded. The trial monitors adverse events related to RIC, hemodynamic stability, and short-term neurological and functional recovery measures. The single-site study at Beijing Tiantan Hospital aims to establish feasibility and provide preliminary data to inform larger trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 with imaging-confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent craniotomy clipping within 24 hours and can provide informed consent (or have a legally authorized representative) are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cerebral hemorrhage, significant preexisting disability (mRS >1), severe comorbidities with life expectancy under 90 days, refractory hypertension, severe lower-limb injury that contraindicates RIC, or those enrolled in another experimental therapy may not receive benefit or may be excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, RIC could offer a low-cost, noninvasive way to reduce secondary brain injury and improve early recovery after aneurysm clipping.

How similar studies have performed: Remote ischemic conditioning has shown promise in some stroke and cardiac surgery studies, but its effectiveness specifically after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and surgical clipping remains largely unproven.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Imaging examination confirmed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. Responsible aneurysms received craniotomy clipping within 24 hours.
3. 18≤ age ≤80 years old.
4. Informed consent of the participant or legally authorized representative

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with other types of cerebral hemorrhage.
2. Prior neurological impairment (mRS Score \>1) or mental illness may confuse neurological or functional assessment.
3. Severe comorbidities with a life expectancy of less than 90 days.
4. Refractory hypertension (systolic blood pressure 180\>mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 110\>mmHg).
5. RIC contraindications: severe soft tissue injury of lower limbs.
6. Simultaneously participate in another research program to study a different experimental therapy.
7. Any condition that the investigator believes may increase the patient's risk.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

• Beijing Tiantan Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Aihua Liu, Doctor

Conditions: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Aneurysmal, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Brain Diseases, Stroke, Cardiovascular Diseases, Vascular Diseases, Nervous System Diseases