Neurologic Injury Following Aortic Arch Replacement

March 28, 2018 updated by: Bradley Leshnower, Emory University

Neurologic Injury AAR: Neurologic Injury Following Aortic Arch Replacement: A Comparison of Two Different Cerebral Protection Strategies (A Pilot Study)

Investigators are seeking to learn how well different cooling temperatures along with different blood flow pathways to the brain reduce the risk of injury to the brain in participants planning to undergo elective aortic arch and hemiarch surgery. Participants will be randomized to receive a cerebral protection strategy of either: deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion (DHCA+RCP) or moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (MHCA+uSACP). Evidence of neurologic injury will be assessed with neurologic exams, neurocognitive tests, MRI imaging of the brain and measurement of plasma S-100 levels during post operative follow ups.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the two most commonly employed methods of cerebral protection upon mitigating neurologic injury in participants planning to undergo elective aortic arch and hemiarch surgery. Participants will be recruited from patients undergoing ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement using hypothermic circulatory arrest at Emory University Hospital and Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital. Participants will be randomized to receive a cerebral protection strategy of either: deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion (DHCA+RCP) or moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (MHCA+uSACP). Evidence of neurologic injury will be assessed with neurologic exams, neurocognitive tests, MRI imaging of the brain and measurement of plasma S-100 levels during post operative follow up. Follow up visits will be conducted at Days 1, 3, 7, and 180 post operation.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Georgia
      • Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
        • Emory University Hospital
      • Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30342
        • Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients at Emory University Hospital and Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital planning to undergo:

  • Elective surgical replacement of the ascending aorta and proximal ("hemiarch") using hypothermic circulatory arrest
  • Concomitant cardiac procedures (e.g valve replacement, coronary artery bypass, etc.) in addition to ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement

  • Any of the following cannulation and cerebral protection strategies:

    1. Right axillary artery cannulation, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfusion
    2. Right axillary artery cannulation, moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest, unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Undergoing total arch replacement
  • Undergoing hemiarch replacement without the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest
  • Undergoing hemiarch replacement using hypothermic circulatory arrest with a method of cerebral protection not listed in the Eligibility Criteria.
  • Pregnant women or women who are nursing.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: DHCA+RCP
Participants undergoing ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement will receive deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion (DHCA+RCP).
Procedure: DHCA+RCP
During deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion (DHCA+RCP) the participant is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine) and their body temperature is lowered to a range of 14-18 °C. Once the goal temperature has been achieved, the circulation is stopped and aortic arch replacement is performed in a bloodless surgical field. Blood will be pushed to the brain through arterial vessels, much like the natural blood flow pattern. Once the aortic arch repair is complete, cardiopulmonary bypass is reinstituted, the participant is rewarmed, and separated from cardiopulmonary bypass.
Active Comparator: MHCA+uSACP
Participants undergoing ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement will receive moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (MHCA+uSACP).
Procedure: MHCA + SACP
During moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (MHCA + SACP) the participant is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine0 and the native blood flow to the brain is temporarily suspended. The body is cooled to temperatures of ≤28°C and blood is administered to the brain via an artery in the neck during the period of arch reconstruction. Once the aortic arch repair is complete, cardiopulmonary bypass is reinstituted, the participant is rewarmed, and separated from cardiopulmonary bypass.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of Stroke
Time Frame: Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
The number of participants with a new focal neurologic deficit lasting greater than 24 hours that is confirmed by radiographic evidence of infarction.
Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
Incidence of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Time Frame: Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
The number of participants with a new focal neurologic symptom lasting less than 24 hours without radiographic evidence of infarction.
Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
Rate of Neurologic Injury assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Time Frame: Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
The number of participants with evidence of neurologic injury assessed by MRI.
Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
Change in Verbal Memory Test Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The verbal memory test measures how many words participants can keep in short term memory at once. A higher score indicates better short term memory.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Change in Visual Memory Test Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The visual memory test measures how many items a participant can keep in short term memory at once. A higher score indicates better short term memory.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Change in Finger Tapping Test Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The finger-tapping test (FTT) is a neuropsychological test that examines motor functioning, specifically, motor speed and lateralized coordination. During administration, the participant's palm should be immobile and flat on the board, with fingers extended, and the index finder placed on the counting device. One hand at a time, participants tap their index finger on the lever as quickly as possible within a 10-s time interval, in order to increase the number on the counting device with each tap.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Change in Symbol Digit Coding Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The Digit symbol substitution test (DSST) is a neuropsychological test sensitive to brain damage, dementia, age and depression. It consists of nine digit-symbol pairs followed by a list of digits.Under each digit the participant should write down the corresponding symbol as fast as possible. The number of correct symbols within the allowed time is measured.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Change in Stroop Test Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The Stroop effect is a demonstration of interference in the reaction time of a task. Participants will be asked the name of a color printed in a color not denoted by the name. Naming the color of the word takes longer and is more prone to errors than when the color of the ink matches the name of the color.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Change in Shifting Attention Test Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The Shifting Attention Test measures a participant's executive functions (rules, categories, rapid decision making) or their ability to shift from one instruction set to another quickly and accurately.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Change in Continuous Performance Test Score
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
The continuous performance test measures a participant's sustained and selective attention. Sustained attention is the ability to maintain a consistent focus on some continuous activity or stimuli, and is associated with impulsivity. Selective attention is the ability to focus on relevant stimuli and ignore competing stimuli. This skill is associated with distractibility.[1]
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of Temporary Neurologic Deficit (TND)
Time Frame: Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
The number of participants with a reversible, non-focal clinical neurologic injury without radiographic evidence of infarction.
Duration of Study (Up to 180 days)
Change in Serum S-100 Levels
Time Frame: Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180
Serum S-100 is a biomarker for neurologic injury found in blood serum.
Post Operative Visit Day 1, Post Operative Visit Day 180

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Emory University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Bradley Leshnower, MD, Emory University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 21, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 21, 2016

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 25, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 30, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 28, 2018

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • IRB00087270

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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