Clinical Research Directory

High Coverage CARotid Stenting vs. Medical Management Alone to Prevent EmboliSm From symptomaTic Non-stenotic cARotid Disease (SyNC)

Goal is to analyse the clinical safety and efficacy of the CARESTO® heal Stent within standard clinical routine for the treatment of patients with symptomatic non-stenotic carotid disease (SyNC) and with high-risk plaque features for stroke recurrence compared to medical treatment alone with respect to the mid- and long-term clinical outcomes.

Perioperative Argon Inhalation to Improve Neurocognitive Recovery After Carotid Surgery

Currently, over 400,000 reconstructive surgeries on carotid arteries are performed annually worldwide, including carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting. These interventions have proven effective in preventing ischemic stroke in patients with hemodynamically significant carotid artery stenoses. However, even following a technically successful procedure, the risk of perioperative ischemic brain injury persists. According to meta-analyses, one in five patients exhibits covert ("silent") strokes after reconstructive interventions, with their frequency being ten times higher than that of clinically manifest events. Such lesions are associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia. An additional risk factor is the "no-reflow" phenomenon-an impairment of microcirculatory reperfusion that occurs even after the restoration of macrovascular blood flow, thereby limiting the effectiveness of surgical revascularization. Cognitive disorders and postoperative delirium, observed in 15-30% of patients after CEA, adversely affect rehabilitation and long-term prognosis. To date, there are no reliable pharmacological strategies to prevent these complications. In this context, inert gases have attracted significant interest as potential neuroprotective agents. Xenon, despite its proven efficacy, is limited by high cost and challenges in industrial production. Argon, in contrast, is accessible, safe, and technologically straightforward to administer. In preclinical models of stroke and ischemia-reperfusion, argon has demonstrated pronounced anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, mediated through the regulation of TLR2/4-, ERK1/2-, Nrf2-, and NF-κB-dependent signaling pathways. Its ability to suppress microglial activation towards the M1 phenotype and inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome has been noted, which reduces neuroinflammation and decreases the volume of secondary neuronal damage. Short-term argon inhalation in healthy volunteers has shown a favorable safety profile with no adverse effects on cerebral hemodynamics. Thus, it is highly relevant to clinically test the hypothesis that perioperative inhalation of an argon-containing gas mixture can reduce the incidence of ischemic brain injuries and cognitive impairments in patients undergoing CEA.

NOR-SYS: The Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study

NOR-SYS is a clinical research program about young ischemic stroke patients from 15 to 60 years. Patients, partners and the couple´s adult children who are at least 18 years old, are all invited to ultrasound examinations due to a standardized protocol. Parents of patients and partners are invited to return their answers of standardized questionnaires about clinical ischemic events such as stroke, angina or myocardial infarction or peripheral artery disease. Study inclusion time of patients and their families is 5 years. A biobank is build from samples from patients, partners and adult children. Clinical follow-ups for patients and partners are planned after 5, 10 and 15 years. Clinical follow-ups for adult children are planned after 10 and 20 years. Hypotheses: What do patients know about their parents clinical ischemic events? How much established pathology in arteries do we find by a standardized ultrasound protocol at the time of ischemic stroke at a young age? Differences concerning risk factors and ultrasound findings between patients and partners? Differences between children from families with several ischemic events among parents and grandparents vs. children from families without ischemic events? Biochemical markers related to ultrasound findings and artery disease.

SVS VQI TransCarotid Revascularization Surveillance Project

The VQI TCAR Surveillance Project is designed to monitor the safety and effectiveness of stents placed directly into the carotid artery while reversing blood flow within the carotid artery to reduce stroke risk. It will compare this less-invasive surgical procedure with standard carotid endarterectomy in centers that participate in the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative.