Clinical Research Directory

SENIOR: Stroke Prevention in the Elderly by Patent Foramen Ovale closuRe vs Anticoagulation

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an important mechanism of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Current guidelines recommend PFO closure for high-risk PFO in patients younger than 60 years, and a recent retrospective cohort study from Taichung Veterans General Hospital has shown that closure is effective and safe in older adults; however, the optimal treatment strategy for those \>60 years and direct head-to-head comparisons of PFO closure versus direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) remain insufficient. Robust evidence from a multicenter study combining prospective and retrospective cohorts is warranted. The SENIOR study is a multicenter observational cohort registry with a combined retrospective and prospective design. The prospective period is from September 15, 2025 to December 31, 2031, and the retrospective period covers January 1, 2013 to September 1, 2025; target sample sizes are 400 (prospective) and 500 (retrospective). We will enroll adults with ESUS and PFO; the prospective arm will focus on patients aged \>60 years with PFO related stroke. Treatments will be assigned as PFO closure, standard-dose DOAC, or antiplatelet agents (if DOAC intolerance) by local principal investigator. The primary outcome is recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Secondary outcomes include 6-month functional outcome, all stroke, and serial comparison of atrial cardiopathy changes. Safety endpoints include peri-procedural adverse events (including newly-onset atrial fibrillation), hemorrhagic stroke, and all caused mortality. Clinical presentation, imaging, cardiac testing, biomarker, and genetic data will be collected for stratified and multivariable analyses.

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.

Atrial Fibrillation Detection Using MEMO Patch in Patients With Stroke of Unknown Cause

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a wearable device in detecting previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation through non-invasive long-term monitoring using a wearable single-lead ECG patch (MEMO Patch M, MEMO Patch2) in 100 patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) who require atrial fibrillation screening. Participants who meet all inclusion and exclusion criteria and provide written informed consent will wear the MEMO Patch M and undergo in-hospital telemetry monitoring using MEMO Cue for a minimum of 12 hours and up to 8 days. During hospitalization, 24-hour Holter monitoring will also be conducted. Before discharge, the investigator will review these results to determine whether implantable loop recorder (ILR) implantation is necessary. At the time of discharge, participants will wear MEMO Patch2 for up to 14 days for the first ECG monitoring period. One month after discharge, the investigator will review the results of the first monitoring and initiate the second ECG monitoring with MEMO Patch2. Three months after discharge, the results of the second ECG monitoring will be reviewed, and participation in the clinical trial will be completed.

AI-Based Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation in ESUS Patients With ICM

This study investigates patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) who have received an Implantable Cardiac Monitor (ICM). The main purpose is to evaluate the predictive value of an Artificial Intelligence ECG analysis tool, named SmartECG-AF. Participants will be classified into two groups based on the AI analysis: a "High Risk" group and a "Low to Intermediate Risk" (control) group. The study aims to compare the incidence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) events over time between these two groups. Additionally, the study will analyze the relationship between the AI-predicted risk levels and the occurrence of major cardiovascular events during the follow-up period.

Left Atrial Strain and Cryptogenic Stroke

Cryptogenic stroke is a type of stroke in which the cause of the blood clot cannot be identified, leaving many patients without a clear treatment plan and at high risk for another stroke. Current medical guidelines recommend blood-thinning medication (anticoagulation) only when atrial fibrillation (AF) -an irregular heart rhythm- can be documented. However, AF may occur silently and remain undetected. Long term implantable (placed invasively under the skin) devices may be needed to capture these episodes. AF is known to develop from disease of the left atrium, the upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the lungs. When the left atrium does not contract normally, blood flow may slow down, increasing the risk of clot formation. Nowadays, the left atrial (LA) function can be quantified precisely using a noninvasive ultrasound technique called strain imaging. This study aims to determine whether reduced LA function is associated with cryptogenic stroke and its recurrence even when AF is not observed. If such an association is confirmed, LA strain could serve as a new biomarker to identify patients at risk, earlier than the development of overt AF, enhance preventive measures to reduce recurrent strokes. Because echocardiographic strain imaging is safe, cost-effective, and widely available, it may become an important tool for improving care in this high-risk population.

Stroke of Unknown Cause in Women: The Impact of Long-term Heart Monitoring on Stroke Recurrence

The goal of this observational study is to investigate sex - differences in detection rate of atrial fibrillation after cryptogenic stroke (embolic stroke of unknown cause) - using an implantable cardiac rhythm monitor - and the treatment effects of oral anticoagulation on recurrent stroke, ischemic cardiovascular events, major bleeding risk, disability and mortality. The main questions to answer are: * Is long-term monitoring and detection of atrial fibrillation after stroke of unknown cause in women related to recurrent stroke and disability? * Is long-term monitoring and initiation of oral anticoagulation related to cardiovascular events and intracranial haemorrhages? And in addition increased in women compared to men? * Is long-term rhythm monitoring after stroke with unknown cause related to patient reported outcomes in women?

Impaired Endothelial Integrity in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS)

The investigators will measure endothelial glycocalyx, aortic elastic properties, oxidative stress, and their association with left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function in ESUS, cardioembolic, atherosclerotic, lacunar strokes and age- and sex-adjusted healthy individuals.

Discovery of New Cancer in the 1-year Follow-up After Ischemic Stroke in Patients at Risk: The INVISIBLE-1 Study

INVISIBLE-1 aims to prospectively follow patients up to one year after ischemic stroke to: 1. Determine the cumulative incidence of occult cancer in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) and elevated D-dimer 2. Describe occult cancer characteristics and spontaneous course of occult cancer Methodology The investigators will include 370 stroke patients with elevated D-dimer (≥ 820 μg/L) at the time of stroke, suspicion of ESUS after initial workup and without known cancer. The investigators will perform a follow-up telephone interview at one year to assess the occurrence of a new cancer and characterize the course of the disease. Significance Determining the real incidence of occult cancer in high-risk patients will help support the implementation of screening trials in the future. Faster detection and treatment of occult cancers would significantly impact patient' outcomes by offering faster cancer treatment and optimal secondary stroke prevention.

EMPA-ESUS. a Randomised Control Trial to Investigate the Impact of Empagliflozin on Left Atrial Function in Patients with Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm problem in the adult population. There is a five-fold increase in stroke risk in patients with AF. Whilst there has been considerable advances in AF management including improvement in ablation therapy, preventing AF remains an unmet need. One promising avenue is a group of medications called Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which has been studied in people with diabetes, kidney disease and weak heart muscle. These medicines were consistently found to lower the risk of developing AF. This can be promising for patients who have suffered a stroke for unclear reasons, where a significant proportion are subsequently found to have short periods of AF. Often prior to AF development, patients may have changes in the structure or function of the top chambers of their heart (the atria). This may provide a useful marker for us to understand whether SGLT2i impacts AF risk. Aim of research study: The aim of this study is to investigate whether the use of the drug empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, prevents changes in the left atrium associated with future AF development. Using advanced imaging techniques and continuous rhyth monitoring we intend to study the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on left atrial function and arrhythmia occurence. Study design: Patients who are undergoing an implantable loop recorder insertion, to detect AF following a stroke, will be invited for participation. Eligible consenting patients will have a baseline assessment with echocardiography, electrocardiogram and anthropometric measures. They will then be randomised to receive either the SGLT2i alongside usual stroke care for 6 months, or usual stroke care alone. All patients will be monitored remotely via their loop recorder, and will undergo repeat electrocardiogpahic, echocardiographic and anthropometric assessment at 6 months. This way, we aim to investigate whether the SGLT2 inhibitor causes changes in atrial parameters that may be associated with future AF development.

Echocardiographic Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation

This prospective study aims to identify the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiographic predictors of atrial fibrillation in patients with ESUS (embolic stroke of undetermined source) or TIA (transient ischemic attack).

Prospective Registry of Elderly ESUS With PFO

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with an increased risk of stroke. PFO-closure was effective in preventing stroke in young stroke patients less than age 60 presented as an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). However, the benefit of PFO-closure in elderly ESUS patients is not clear. The investigators designed this prospective register-based observational study to verify the efficacy of PFO-closure in elderly ESUS patients with high-risk PFO, older than 60 years