Treatment for acute stroke with carotid artery issues

A Multi-centre, Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Blinded Endpoint (PROBE) Controlled Trial Comparing Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Stenting to no Stenting During Thrombectomy for Tandem Occlusion Stroke

Not applicable Interventional Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) · NCT04261478

This study is testing if combining a procedure to open blocked carotid arteries with a treatment to remove blood clots can help people who have had a stroke feel better after 90 days.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment458 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Academic / other
Locations1 site (Montreal, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT04261478 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the effectiveness of carotid artery stenting combined with endovascular thrombectomy in patients suffering from acute anterior circulation strokes with concurrent high-grade stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery. It is a phase III, multi-centre, randomized, open-label trial that aims to compare functional outcomes at 90 days between patients receiving stenting and those undergoing thrombectomy alone. The study will enroll 458 adult patients across 10-12 high-volume stroke centers in Canada, with a follow-up period of up to one year.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have experienced an acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke with high-grade stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing neurological impairments or those with conditions that hinder protocol adherence may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve functional outcomes for patients suffering from acute strokes with carotid artery complications.

How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have suggested potential benefits of stenting in similar patient populations, high-quality randomized trial data are currently lacking, making this approach relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke eligible for endovascular therapy according to local guidelines, with or without prior intravenous thrombolysis:

  * Occlusion of the carotid terminus, M1 or M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery (MCA)
  * A neurological deficit judged to be disabling by the patient and/or treating physician
  * Any acute imaging judged by the treating physician to demonstrate salvageable brain tissue possibly amenable to EVT
  * Groin puncture within 24-hours of onset or last known normal
* Tandem ipsilateral high-grade (≥70%) cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion of presumed atherosclerotic etiology on initial non-invasive vascular imaging
* Informed consent from patient or surrogate or deferral of consent, according to local ethics policies

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pre-existing neurological impairment (modified Rankin score ≥3)
* Any underlying disease or condition making protocol adherence and/or 3-month follow-up unlikely
* Any known contra-indication to EVT, angioplasty/stenting, or antiplatelet therapy
* Tandem ipsilateral high-grade (≥70%) cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion NOT confirmed on conventional angiography
* Ipsilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion attributable to clinically or radiologically confirmed arterial dissection
* Isolated cervical carotid occlusion without intracranial occlusion
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Montreal, Quebec

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Stroke, AcuteCarotid StenosisCarotid Artery DiseasesThrombectomyTandem occlusionCarotid stenting
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.