Endovascular Acute Stroke Intervention - Tandem OCclusion Trial (EASI-TOC)

A Multi-centre, Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Blinded Endpoint (PROBE) Controlled Trial Comparing Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Stenting to no Stenting During Thrombectomy for Tandem Occlusion Stroke

Patients with tandem occlusion or tandem lesion (TL), that is, stroke with an acute intracranial anterior circulation occlusion and an ipsilateral cervical ICA (c-ICA) high-grade stenosis or occlusion, constitute about 15-20% of patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).

However, the optimal treatment of acute stroke patients with TL remains uncertain, as relatively few patients with TL were included in the major randomized controlled trials of EVT and management of the c-ICA was generally not specified by protocol nor analyzed post-hoc.

Recent large multi-centre retrospective cases series suggest that acutely stented patients may have more favorable outcomes than patients treated with angioplasty alone or those with no acute ICA intervention, but high quality randomized trial data are lacking.

EASI-TOC, a phase 3, academic multi-centre, controlled trial (PROBE design) with embedded pilot phase, will seek to determine if in patients undergoing acute intracranial thrombectomy for anterior circulation stroke with concurrent ipsilateral symptomatic high-grade (≥70%) atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion of the extracranial ICA, endovascular ICA revascularization with stenting is superior to intracranial thrombectomy alone with regards to functional outcome at 90 days. Patients will be randomized to Acute stenting or No acute stenting (1:1 allocation).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Carotid Stenosis; Carotid Artery Diseases; Stroke, Acute
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Carotid artery stenting; Drug: Antiplatelet Agents

Detailed Description

EASI-TOC is a phase III multi-centre, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) controlled trial (1:1 allocation).

The trial will seek to determine if in patients undergoing acute intracranial thrombectomy for anterior circulation stroke with concurrent ipsilateral symptomatic high-grade (≥70%) atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion of the extracranial ICA, endovascular ICA revascularization with stenting is superior to intracranial thrombectomy alone with regards to functional outcome at 90 days (measured using the Modified Rankin Scale).

EASI-TOC will be conducted at 10-12 high-volume comprehensive stroke centres in Canada.

458 male and female adult (aged ≥ 18 years) patients will be enrolled.

Patients will be randomized (1:1) to undergo acute ICA stenting during the thrombectomy procedure (either before or after intracranial thrombectomy, at the discretion of the treating physician) or to intracranial thrombectomy alone without ICA stenting. Deferred ICA intervention is allowed, if indicated. Randomization will be centralized and web-based. Stratification will be performed for use or not of IV alteplase and for enrolling site.

Patients will be treated acutely and followed up to one year.

Our primary hypothesis assumes a greater proportion of patients with 90-day mRS 0-2 in the stenting group versus the no stenting group (55% versus 40%). Assuming a minimal clinically important difference of 15 % between groups experiencing no crossover, a total of 173 patients per group would be sufficient to detect this difference, with a power of 80 % and a significance level of 5 %. Taking into account a cross-over rate of 10% (5% in either direction) and a loss to follow-up of 5 %, the total sample size will increase to 450 patients.

Primary analysis will be by Intention-to-treat. Pre-specified as-treated, sex-specific and subgroup analyses will also be performed.

Informed consent will be obtained from patients or their surrogate. Deferral of consent will be allowed if permitted by local ethics committees.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 458
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Alexandre Y Poppe, MD CM; Phone Number: 26260 5148908000; Email: alexandre.poppe.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Nandy Simon, BSc; Phone Number: 26242 5148908000; Email: nandy-shelwine.simon.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Quebec
    • Montréal, Quebec, Canada, H2X 0C1
      • Recruiting
      • Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
      • Contact: Alexandre Y Poppe, MD CM; Phone Number: 26268 5148908000; Email: alexandre.poppe.med@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
      • Contact: Nandy Simon, BSc; Phone Number: 262642 5148908000; Email: nandy-shelwine.simon.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke eligible for endovascular therapy according to local guidelines, with or without prior intravenous thrombolysis:

  • Occlusion of the carotid terminus, M1 or M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery (MCA)
  • A neurological deficit judged to be disabling by the patient and/or treating physician
  • Any acute imaging judged by the treating physician to demonstrate salvageable brain tissue possibly amenable to EVT
  • Groin puncture within 24-hours of onset or last known normal
• Tandem ipsilateral high-grade (≥70%) cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion of presumed atherosclerotic etiology on initial non-invasive vascular imaging
• Informed consent from patient or surrogate or deferral of consent, according to local ethics policies

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing neurological impairment (modified Rankin score ≥3)
• Any underlying disease or condition making protocol adherence and/or 3-month follow-up unlikely
• Any known contra-indication to EVT, angioplasty/stenting, or antiplatelet therapy
• Tandem ipsilateral high-grade (≥70%) cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion NOT confirmed on conventional angiography
• Ipsilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion attributable to clinically or radiologically confirmed arterial dissection
• Isolated cervical carotid occlusion without intracranial occlusion
• Pregnancy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Acute Stenting; All patients in this arm will receive standard of care with regards to intracranial thrombectomy and use of intravenous thrombolysis. In this arm, the cervical carotid artery stenosis will be revascularized with a stent during the acute thrombectomy procedure.	Device: Carotid artery stenting; The type of stent should be one commonly used for ICA stenting. Balloon angioplasty before and/or after stent placement will be allowed as required. Stenting should be performed after intracranial thrombectomy unless specific technical circumstances suggest that access to the intracranial circulation requires anterograde stenting. Embolic protection devices should not be used routinely during ICA stent placement.; Other Names: Stenting; Drug: Antiplatelet Agents; The following antiplatelet regimen should be used: For patients having received IV thrombolysis, immediate post-procedural oral or intrarectal single antiplatelet agents, (Aspirin 325mg PO or 650mg PR). A second agent (usually Clopidogrel 300mg PO) is added after follow-up brain imaging at 12-24 hours confirms absence of significant ICH. For patients having not been treated with IV thrombolysis, dual antiplatelet therapy (Aspirin 325mg PO or 650mg PR and Clopidogrel 300-600mg PO) is given immediately post-procedure. Routine use of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors, periprocedural IV Heparin is discouraged.
No Intervention: No Acute Stenting; All patients in this arm will receive standard of care with regards to intracranial thrombectomy and use of intravenous thrombolysis. In this arm, the cervical carotid artery stenosis will be not revascularized with a stent during the acute thrombectomy procedure.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Clinical efficacy outcome: proportion of patients achieving a favorable modified Rankin scale score (mRS 0-2)	The proportion of patients achieving a favorable modified Rankin scale score (mRS 0-2) at 90 days (dichotomized) The Modified Rankin Score (mRS) is a 7 point disability scale with possible scores ranging from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating no disability and 6 indicating death.	90 days ± 14 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Clinical efficacy outcome: Proportion of patients achieving a favorable modified Rankin scale score (mRS 0-2) at 90 days (dichotomized) according to sex	Proportion of patients achieving a favorable modified Rankin scale score (mRS 0-2) at 90 days (dichotomized) according to sex	90 days ± 14 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Ordinal logistic regression for functional improvement on the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (shift analysis)	Ordinal logistic regression for functional improvement by at least one mRS category at 90 days ("shift analysis") The Modified Rankin Score (mRS) is a 7 point disability scale with possible scores ranging from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating no disability and 6 indicating death.	90 days ± 14 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score	Median NIHSS score at 24 hours after stroke The NIHSS is a 15 item neurologic examination that provides a quantitative measure of stroke-related neurologic deficit. (Scale from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating a more severe neurologic deficit)	24 hours ± 8 hours
Clinical efficacy outcome: Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score	Median NIHSS score at 90 days after stroke The NIHSS is a 15 item neurologic examination that provides a quantitative measure of stroke-related neurologic deficit. (Scale from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating a more severe neurologic deficit)	90 days ± 14 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Median Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score	Median mRS at 90 days after stroke The Modified Rankin Score (mRS) is a 7 point disability scale with possible scores ranging from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating no disability and 6 indicating death.	90 days ± 14 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Rate of clinically confirmed recurrent ipsilateral stroke or retinal ischemia	Rate of clinically confirmed recurrent ipsilateral stroke or retinal ischemia within 90 days (imaging as clinically indicated) A structured telephone questionnaire for verifying stroke-free status will be used and relevant imaging reviewed	90 days ± 14 days
Radiological efficacy outcome: Proportion of patients with complete or near-complete recanalization	Proportion of patients with complete or near-complete recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) at the end of the endovascular procedure. mTICI score (0,1,2,2a,2b,3) : Grade 0 : no perfusion Grade 1 : penetration with minimal perfusion Grade 2 : partial perfusion Grade 2a : partial filling of less than 1/2 of the vascular territory Grade 2b : partial filling 50-99% of the vascular territory Grade 3 : complete perfusion Independent imaging core laboratory	End of endovascular procedure
Radiological efficacy outcome: Proportion of patients with ICA thrombosis (with or without stent)	Proportion of patients with ICA thrombosis (with or without stent) within 90 days after stroke stent patency be evaluated by angiography at the end of the EVT procedure. Furthermore, follow-up carotid vascular imaging will be required between 1 and 90 days following stent placement in the context of usual care. Any non-invasive imaging modality will be allowed, with carotid doppler or CTA strongly recommended.	90 days ± 14 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Median Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score	Median Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score at 90 days after stroke The MoCA is a 30-point screening tool for cognitive dysfunction (score from 0 to 30 with lower scores indicating greater cognitive impairment). The test assesses 8 domains of cognitive functioning: attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructional skills, conceptual thinking, calculations, and orientation.	90 days ± 14 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Rate of any recurrent stroke or retinal ischemia	Rate of any recurrent stroke or retinal ischemia at 12 months after stroke A structured telephone questionnaire for verifying stroke-free status will be used	1 year ± 60 days
Clinical efficacy outcome: Proportion of patients achieving a favorable modified Rankin scale (mRS) score	Proportion of patients achieving a favorable modified Rankin scale score (mRS 0-2) at 12 months after stroke The Modified Rankin Score (mRS) is a 7 point disability scale with possible scores ranging from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating no disability and 6 indicating death.	1 year ± 60 days

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Safety outcome: Proportion of patients with any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)	Proportion of patients with any intracranial hemorrhage on follow-up imaging at 24 hours Independent imaging core laboratory	24 hours ± 8 hours
Safety outcome: Proportion of patients with a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH)	Proportion of patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) within 72 hours of EVT ECASS-2 definition. Imaging core laboratory.	24 hours ± 8 hours
Safety outcome: Proportion of patients with death of any cause	All-cause mortality at 90 days	90 days ± 14 days
Safety outcome: Proportion of patients with procedural complications	Procedural complications, including: vessel perforation, iatrogenic vessel dissection, embolization into a previously unaffected artery, access site complications	End of endovascular procedure
Safety outcome: Type of procedural complications	Procedural complications, including: vessel perforation, iatrogenic vessel dissection, embolization into a previously unaffected artery, access site complications	End of endovascular procedure
Tertiary outcome: Proportion of patients with stenting performed after thrombectomy	Timing of ICA stenting relative to intracranial thrombectomy (before/anterograde or after/retrograde)	End of endovascular procedure
Tertiary outcome: Description of type and route of administration of antiplatelet agents used peri-interventionally	Antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant regimens used peri-interventionally: aspirin, clopidogrel, GP2b3a inhibitors, Heparin, other and route of administration: oral, rectal, intravenous, intra-arterial	End of endovascular procedure
Tertiary outcome: Proportion of patients for whom an embolic protection device was used	Use of distal or proximal embolic protection among patients undergoing stenting	End of endovascular procedure
Tertiary outcome: Proportion of patients with internal carotid artery pseudo-occlusions confirmed on angiography	Proportion of patients with presumed internal carotid artery tandem occlusion on non-invasive imaging (CTA or MRA) having no tandem occlusion on conventional angiography (pseudo-occlusions) Patients with no confirmed tandem lesion on angiography will be included in the screening log but not randomized in the trial	End of endovascular procedure
Tertiary outcome: Proportion of patients with delayed carotid revascularization	The proportion of patients in the no stent group undergoing deferred ICA revascularization and the type of revascularization (endarterectomy or stenting) used, within 12 months after stroke	1 year ± 60 days
Tertiary outcome: Type of delayed carotid revascularization	T he type of revascularization (endarterectomy or stenting) used in patients in the no stent group undergoing deferred ICA revascularization, within 12 months after stroke	1 year ± 60 days
Tertiary outcome: Minimum and maximum systolic and diastolic intraprocedural blood pressure (mmHg)	Minimum and maximum blood pressure (systolic and diastolic, mmHg) during EVT procedure Derived from procedural vital sign records	End of endovascular procedure
Tertiary outcome: Minimum and maximum intraprocedural heart rate (beats per minute)	Minimum and maximum intraprocedural heart rate (beats per minute) during EVT procedure Derived from procedural vital sign records	End of endovascular procedure

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
• Collaborators: University of British Columbia; McGill University; University of Alberta; McMaster University; University of Toronto; University of Calgary; University of Ottawa; Queen's University; Dalhousie University; Laval University; Health Sciences North Research Institute; Canadian Stroke Consortium (CSC)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Alexandre Y Poppe, MD CM, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Study website

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 31, 2020
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): February 7, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 16, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 14, 2023
• Last Verified: November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Thrombectomy; Carotid stenting; Tandem occlusion
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Stroke; Carotid Stenosis; Carotid Artery Diseases; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
• Other Study ID Numbers: MP-02-2020-8614

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

IPD Plan Description

Upon completion of the EASI-TOC Trial, a public use database will be prepared by stripping any and all personal identifiers. The public use database, consisting of several data files, should contain: (1) baseline and demographic characteristics; (2) outcomes assessments; (3) imaging data; (4) serious adverse events.

These data files will be made available to researchers with validated requests only after all major manuscripts (including secondary analysis papers) of the Trial are accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

• IPD Sharing Time Frame: These data files will be made available to researchers with validated requests only after all major manuscripts (including secondary analysis papers) of the Trial are accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: These data files will be made available to researchers with validated requests only after all major manuscripts (including secondary analysis papers) of the Trial are accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes