MAnagement of Systolic Blood Pressure During Thrombectomy by Endovascular Route for Acute Ischaemic STROKE (MASTERSTROKE)

MAnagement of Systolic Blood Pressure During Thrombectomy by Endovascular Route for Acute Ischaemic STROKE

MAnagement of Systolic Blood Pressure During Thrombectomy by Endovascular Route for Acute Ischaemic STROKE: the MASTERSTROKE Trial

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in New Zealand and is one of the leading causes of long-term disability at all ages. A life-saving clot retrieval procedure can save lives and prevent disability of patients with ischaemic stroke who get to hospital in time. In New Zealand, 90% of clot retrieval procedures are performed under general anaesthesia. Many anaesthetic drugs can affect blood pressure (BP) and blood flow within the brain. Increasing BP during the procedure could provide additional benefits in this devastating disease. A large trial is needed to investigate BP management during clot retrieval.

Internationally stroke ranks second among all causes of disability and is adding to considerable worldwide healthcare burden. Over the last 5 years a new procedure to remove clots (Endovascular Thrombectomy - EVT) has been effective for the treatment of acute large strokes, with significant reductions in long term patient disability compared to standard treatment. However, there minimal guidance on blood pressure management during the procedure. The brain is especially vulnerable to low blood pressure during the acute stroke period due to low blood supply, impairment of how the brain regulates blood flow and further falls in blood flow to the brain. High blood pressure may be beneficial due to increased blood flow in areas at risk during this time. It could be harmful due to brain injury process, swelling, and bleeding into the brain. Conversely, relatively low blood pressure could be harmful. Current evidence is limited to large observational studies. This randomised controlled study will examine the safety and efficacy of two systolic blood pressures (SBP) management arms during general anaesthesia for EVT on outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Participant, investigators and outcome assessors are blinded to randomization allocation using opaque envelopes.

Techniques used to target SBP will not be controlled for and will be at the discretion of the procedural anaesthetist to manage blood pressure, this can include vasopressors, intravenous fluids, titration of anaesthetic maintenance drugs and use of other vasoactive drugs.

Techniques used to target SBP will not be controlled for and will be at the discretion of the procedural anaesthetist to manage blood pressure, this can include vasopressors, intravenous fluids, titration of anaesthetic maintenance drugs and use of other vasoactive drugs.

Techniques used to target SBP will not be controlled for and will be at the discretion of the procedural anaesthetist to manage blood pressure, this can include vasopressors, intravenous fluids, titration of anaesthetic maintenance drugs and use of other vasoactive drugs.

The Modified Rankin Score (mRS) is a 6 point disability scale with possible scores ranging from 0 (no symptoms at all) to 5 (severe disability). A separate category of 6 is usually added for patients who are deceased.

Independent functional outcome as determined by a modified Rankin Score of 0,1,or 2 at 90 Days. The Modified Rankin Score (mRS) is a 6 point disability scale with possible scores ranging from 0 (no symptoms at all) to 5 (severe disability). A separate category of 6 is usually added for patients who are deceased.

The number of days a participant spends at home in the first 90 days post-stroke (home days/DAH90 confirmed by patient follow-up and clinical note review.

Proportion of patients with intra-procedural complications (target vessel dissection, intracerebral haemorrhage, groin haematoma) as documented in medical records.

Proportion of patients with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (within 36 hours of treatment) as documented in medical records.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients diagnosed with anterior circulation stroke (ICA or proximal M1 or M2 segment of MCA) treated with ECR within 6 hrs of stroke onset and ECR patients presenting within 6-24 hours and favourable penumbra on perfusion scanning (see criteria 1-3). Additional criteria in the 6 to 24-hour window. 'wake up' stroke; CT with no (or at most minimal) acute infarction or patient 80 years or older (NIHSS of 10 and infarct volume less than 21 ml on DWI or CT perfusion-CBF) patient less than 80 years (NIHSS of 10 and infarct volume less than 31 ml on DWI or CT perfusion-CBF NIHSS of 20 and infarct volume less than 51 ml on DWI or CT perfusion-CBF). Exclusion Criteria: Rescue"' procedures eg acute ischaemic stroke associated with major medical procedures such as coronary artery stenting and coronary artery bypass pre-stroke mRS>=3 not having GA terminal illness with expected survival <1 year pregnancy cardiovascular conditions where BP targeting will be contra-indicated unable to participate in 3-month follow up

At this time the steering committee have not developed an IPD data sharing plan. Once the decision has been made regarding this process the information will be updated accordingly.