Delay AvoIding Primary Evaluation for ThRombectomy of Acute StrokE Patients With Large Vessel OCclusion in the Angiography SuiTe

NCT ID: NCT06825897

Last Updated: 2025-08-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 2039 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-10-30
• Study Completion Date: 2028-04-30

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare two strategies for treating adults with suspected large vessel occlusion stroke within 7 hours of symptom onset. Researchers will evaluate whether direct transfer to the neurointerventional angiography suite improves recovery and reduces disability compared to the conventional approach of first being evaluated in the emergency department. The study will also assess safety and other health outcomes to guide care for stroke patients.

Detailed Description

Large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes are among the most severe types of strokes, caused by a blockage in one of the brain's major blood vessels. These strokes can lead to significant disability or death without prompt treatment. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT), a procedure that physically removes the clot, is one of the most effective treatments for LVO strokes. However, there is still uncertainty about the best way to quickly triage and prepare patients for MT to achieve the best outcomes.

This study, called the DIRECT trial, aims to compare two common triage strategies for patients suspected of having an LVO stroke:

Direct transfer to the neurointerventional angiography suite - In this strategy, patients are taken straight to the neurointerventional suite upon arrival at the hospital. Advanced imaging and treatment decisions are made immediately, potentially speeding up treatment.

Conventional evaluation in the emergency department (ED) - In this approach, patients undergo initial evaluation and imaging in the ED before being transferred to the neurointerventional suite if they are eligible for MT.

The main goal of this study is to determine if bypassing the ED and directly transferring patients to the neurointerventional suite leads to better recovery and reduced disability at 90 days compared to the conventional strategy. Researchers will also assess other important outcomes, including safety (such as the risk of brain bleeding), quality of life after the stroke, efficiency of stroke care, and the use of healthcare resources (such as hospital stay length).

The study will include approximately 2,039 adult patients aged 18 and older who are suspected of having an LVO stroke. To participate, patients must arrive at one of the participating thrombectomy-capable stroke centers within 7 hours of symptom onset. These centers are equipped to perform advanced stroke care, including MT.

Participants in the trial will represent a diverse population reflective of the general community affected by stroke. The trial will take place at 20 hospitals across the United States, all with high experience in treating stroke patients. The study will help provide critical insights into which triage strategy offers the best outcomes for patients with LVO strokes and improve future care for these emergencies.

Conditions

Stroke, Acute

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Conventional Triage Arm

In this arm, patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke undergo an initial evaluation in the emergency department (ED), including standard imaging, to confirm eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Once eligibility is confirmed, they are transferred to the neurointerventional suite for further treatment. This strategy represents the traditional approach used in many stroke centers and serves as a comparator to the direct transfer strategy. The outcomes measured in this arm will be compared to those in the Direct Transfer to Angiography Suite (DTAS) arm to assess the relative effectiveness and safety of both triage strategies.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional Triage for Mechanical Thrombectomy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants undergo the conventional standard-of-care triage process. Upon arrival at the thrombectomy-capable center, patients first undergo an initial evaluation in the emergency department (ED), which includes diagnostic imaging (CT or MRI) to confirm eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). If the patient is found to have a large vessel occlusion (LVO) suitable for thrombectomy, they are transferred to the neurointerventional suite for treatment.

Direct Transfer to Angiography Suite (DTAS) Arm

Description: In this arm, patients with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke are directly transferred to the neurointerventional angiography suite without initial evaluation in the emergency department. Neuroimaging is performed using flat panel CT (FPCT) to confirm treatment eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This strategy aims to reduce delays in treatment and improve clinical outcomes by bypassing the emergency department, leading to faster access to thrombectomy. This arm will assess the effectiveness and safety of direct transfer, comparing it to the conventional triage strategy in terms of disability outcomes, safety, and healthcare utilization.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Direct Transfer to Angiography Suite (DTAS

Intervention Type: OTHER

Patients who arrive at the thrombectomy-capable center (from home, mobile stroke units, or interfacility transfer) are immediately transferred to the neurointerventional suite, bypassing the emergency department (ED). Upon arrival in the neurointerventional suite, initial neuroimaging (typically using flat panel CT or other imaging modalities) is conducted to confirm the presence of a large vessel occlusion (LVO). If the patient is eligible for mechanical thrombectomy (MT), treatment is initiated directly in the angiography suite. This approach aims to reduce delays in care and improve clinical outcomes by providing faster access to thrombectomy treatment.

Interventions

Conventional Triage for Mechanical Thrombectomy

Participants undergo the conventional standard-of-care triage process. Upon arrival at the thrombectomy-capable center, patients first undergo an initial evaluation in the emergency department (ED), which includes diagnostic imaging (CT or MRI) to confirm eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). If the patient is found to have a large vessel occlusion (LVO) suitable for thrombectomy, they are transferred to the neurointerventional suite for treatment.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Direct Transfer to Angiography Suite (DTAS

Patients who arrive at the thrombectomy-capable center (from home, mobile stroke units, or interfacility transfer) are immediately transferred to the neurointerventional suite, bypassing the emergency department (ED). Upon arrival in the neurointerventional suite, initial neuroimaging (typically using flat panel CT or other imaging modalities) is conducted to confirm the presence of a large vessel occlusion (LVO). If the patient is eligible for mechanical thrombectomy (MT), treatment is initiated directly in the angiography suite. This approach aims to reduce delays in care and improve clinical outcomes by providing faster access to thrombectomy treatment.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

To be eligible for participation in the DIRECT trial, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Age: ≥ 18 years of age.

2. Clinical Presentation: Present to a participating TSC with signs or symptoms suggestive of acute LVO stroke.

3. Stroke Severity: Baseline NIHSS of 10 or higher.

4. Time since LKW: Time from LKW to arrival at the TSC must be within 7 hours.

Additional criteria

For all Interfacility Transfers:

1. If imaging was performed at the outside facility, the time from the first imaging to arrival at the thrombectomy center must exceed 90 minutes.

For all the Conventional Triage Arm, participants must also meet the following criteria:

1. Presence of a qualifying LVO by CTA or MRA imaging; or

2. For Large Core Patients: Patients with large core infarcts (CT-ASPECT score ≤ 5, DWI-ASPECT score ≤ 5, or infarct volume ≥ 70 cc) will be enrolled, irrespective of treatment decisions regarding embolectomy.

For all DTAS Arm:

1. Patients who do not have LVO occlusions in the angiography suite assessment (ICH, distal occlusions or mimics) will be enrolled, irrespective of treatment decisions regarding embolectomy.

Exclusion Criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in the trial:

1. Time Restrictions: Presentation to a thrombectomy-capable center more than 7 hours from LSW.

2. Imaging Criteria for Interfacility Transfer Patients: At sites enrolling transfer patients, any patient arriving from an outside hospital with time from imaging study at the presenting hospital to arrival at the TSC not exceeding 90 minutes.

3. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Presence of intracranial hemorrhage on brain imaging in the conventional strategy as Heidelberg that renders thrombectomy contraindicated.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Santiago Ortega Gutierrez

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Santiago Ortega Gutierrez

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Santiago Ortega, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Iowa

Tudor Jovin, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Cooper University Health Care

Locations

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Santiago Ortega, MD

Role: CONTACT

santy-ortega@uiowa.edu

319-384-5628

Jorge Cespedes, MD

Role: CONTACT

jorge-cespedes@uiowa.edu

319-384-5628

Facility Contacts

Santiago Ortega, MD

Role: primary

santy-ortega@uiowa.edu

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Other Identifiers

202407139

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id