Reduction of Edema With a Specialized Cocktail for Ultra-early Management in Ischemic Stroke

Large ischemic stroke is a severe subtype of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), often leading to malignant cerebral edema, elevated intracranial pressure, and poor functional outcomes. Despite early aggressive treatment, malignant cerebral edema remains a major determinant of prognosis, even in cases of successful recanalization. Preclinical studies suggest that a pharmacological cocktail (PPA) may alleviate cerebral edema by modulating extracellular potassium balance, maintaining aquaporin-4 expression, and enhancing lymphatic drainage.

This multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess the safety and efficacy of PPA in reducing cerebral edema and improving outcomes in patients with large ischemic stroke. The study will enroll 68 patients with MCA-territory infarction (80-300 mL infarct volume or ASPECTS 1-5), who are not undergoing decompressive craniectomy. Participants will be randomized to receive PPA therapy or standard treatment. The primary outcome is cerebral edema at 5-7 days, with secondary outcomes including 90-day functional outcomes (mRS) and safety assessments.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Ischemic Stroke
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: PPA Intervention

Detailed Description

Large ischemic stroke is a severe subtype of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), often leading to malignant cerebral edema, elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), and poor functional outcomes. Despite early aggressive treatment, malignant cerebral edema remains a major determinant of prognosis, even in cases of successful recanalization. Patients without endovascular therapy (EVT) also face significant risks of cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension, which contribute to high morbidity and mortality. Preclinical studies suggest that a pharmacological cocktail (PPA) may alleviate cerebral edema by modulating extracellular potassium balance, maintaining aquaporin-4 expression, and enhancing lymphatic drainage. In ischemic stroke models, PPA has demonstrated the potential to accelerate potassium homeostasis and mitigate edema formation, while in traumatic brain injury models, PPA has been shown to promote lymphatic clearance and reduce brain swelling.

This multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PPA in reducing cerebral edema in patients with large ischemic stroke. A total of 68 patients with MCA-territory infarction (80-300 mL infarct volume or ASPECTS 1-5) who are not undergoing decompressive craniectomy will be enrolled and randomly assigned to receive PPA therapy or standard treatment in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint is cerebral edema at 5-7 days, assessed by follow-up imaging. Secondary endpoints include functional outcomes at 90 days (mRS) and safety assessments, including adverse events such as hypotension and intracranial hypertension.

The study intervention consists of a PPA regimen over five days, including terazosin or urapidil, and propranolol or esmolol, with individualized blood pressure management based on recanalization status. Imaging and safety monitoring will be conducted throughout the study, and adverse events will be closely tracked and analyzed quarterly. To ensure ethical compliance, informed consent will be obtained from patients or their legally authorized representatives, with mechanisms in place for reconfirmation if the patient regains decision-making capacity. This trial seeks to establish a novel pharmacological approach for cerebral edema management, with the ultimate goal of improving neurological outcomes in large ischemic stroke patients.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 68
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Min Lou, PhD, MD; Phone Number: 8613958007213; Email: loumingxc@vip.sina.com

Study Locations

• China
  • Zhejiang
    • Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310000
      • Recruiting
      • Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine
      • Contact: Min Lou

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years
• Clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory
• Symptom onset within 3 days (≤72 hours) before randomization
• Infarct volume of 80-300 mL or ASPECTS 1-5 involving at least two cortical regions
• Not scheduled for decompressive craniectomy (either not indicated or declined by the patient/family)
• Written informed consent obtained from the patient or legally authorized representative

Exclusion Criteria:

• Baseline evidence of brain herniation or severe hypotension (SBP <90 mmHg)
• Contraindications to PPA medications (terazosin, urapidil, esmolol, propranolol), such as asthma or severe bradycardia
• Severe comorbidities that may interfere with efficacy assessment or safety monitoring (e.g., end-stage organ failure, advanced malignancy)
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Participation in another interventional trial that may influence study outcomes

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
No Intervention: Standard Treatment Group; Participants in this group will receive standard medical treatment for acute ischemic stroke without the PPA intervention. This includes appropriate supportive care, blood pressure management according to clinical guidelines, and symptomatic treatment as required.
Experimental: PPA Intervention Group; Participants in this group will receive a pharmacological cocktail (PPA) for five days in addition to standard medical treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The regimen includes terazosin or urapidil, and propranolol or esmolol, with individualized blood pressure management. The specific protocol is as follows: Terazosin (no less than 1 mg orally or via nasogastric tube, nightly) or Urapidil (100 mg in 30 mL saline, IV infusion at no less than 2 mL/h); Propranolol (10 mg orally or via nasogastric tube, three times daily) or Esmolol (1 g in 40 mL saline, IV infusion at no less than 2 mL/h; use for no more than 48 hours. Beyond 48 hours, switch to Propranolol)	Drug: PPA Intervention; Participants in this group will receive a pharmacological cocktail (PPA) for five days in addition to standard medical treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The regimen includes terazosin or urapidil, and propranolol or esmolol, with individualized blood pressure management. The specific protocol is as follows: Terazosin (no less than 1 mg orally or via nasogastric tube, nightly) or Urapidil (100 mg in 30 mL saline, IV infusion at no less than 2 mL/h); Propranolol (10 mg orally or via nasogastric tube, three times daily) or Esmolol (1 g in 40 mL saline, IV infusion at no less than 2 mL/h; use for no more than 48 hours. Beyond 48 hours, switch to Propranolol)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cerebral Edema at 5-7 Days	The primary outcome of this study is cerebral edema. Edema will be quantified using standardized imaging analysis techniques. The difference in cerebral edema between the PPA intervention group and the standard treatment group will be compared to evaluate the efficacy of the pharmacological cocktail in reducing brain swelling.	5-7 days post-treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of Hypotension During the Treatment Period	The occurrence of clinically significant hypotension (defined as systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg) will be monitored throughout the intervention period. The frequency, severity, and need for medical intervention will be compared between the two study groups.	During the 5-day treatment period
Need for Decompressive Craniectomy	The proportion of patients who require decompressive craniectomy (DC) due to worsening cerebral edema and refractory intracranial hypertension will be recorded and compared between the study groups. This will serve as an indicator of treatment efficacy in preventing severe brain swelling.	Up to 7 days post-treatment
Mortality at 90 Days	All-cause mortality will be recorded and compared between the PPA intervention and standard treatment groups to evaluate the impact of the intervention on survival.	90 days post-treatment
Incidence of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)	All serious adverse events (SAEs), including cardiovascular complications, major bleeding, and severe drug reactions, will be recorded and compared between groups.	Up to 90 days post-treatment
90-Day Functional Outcome (Modified Rankin Scale, mRS)	Functional outcomes will be assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days post-treatment, mRS: minimum value = 0, maximum value = 6, and lower scores mean a better outcome	90 days post-treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 12, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 3, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 7, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 18, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2025
• Last Verified: February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Brain Infarction; Brain Ischemia; Infarction; Necrosis; Ischemic Stroke; Stroke; Cerebral Infarction; Ischemia
• Other Study ID Numbers: RESCUE-IS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

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

Drug and device information, study documents

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