Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study

Summary

Rationale: Recently our study group reported the results of the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS), a prospective registry of patients with an acute symptomatic basilar artery occlusion (BAO). Our observations in the BASICS registry underscore that we continue to lack a proven treatment modality for patients with an acute BAO and that current clinical practice varies widely. Furthermore, the often-held assumption that intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) is superior to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with an acute symptomatic BAO is challenged by our data. The BASICS registry was observational and has all the limitations of a non-randomised study. Interpretation of results is hampered by the lack of a standard treatment protocol for all patients who entered the study.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of IAT in addition to best medical management (BMM) in patients with basilar artery occlusion.

Study design: Randomised, multi-centre, open label, controlled phase III, treatment trial.

Study population: Patients, aged 18 years and older, with CTA or MRA confirmed basilar occlusion.

Intervention: Patients will be randomised between BMM with additional IAT versus BMM alone. IAT has to be initiated within 6 hours from estimated time of BAO. If treated with as part of BMM, IVT should be started within 4.5 hours of estimated time of BAO.

Main study parameters/endpoints: Favorable outcome at day 90 defined as a modified Rankin Score (mRS - functional scale) of 0-3.

Conditions

• Basilar Artery Thrombosis
• Basilar Artery Embolism
• Stroke of Basilar Artery
• Stroke
• Cerebrovascular Disorders
• Basilar Artery Occlusion

Interventions

OTHER

Intra-arterial treatment

IA therapy has to be initiated within 6 hours of estimated time of basilar artery occlusion. If an appropriate thrombus or residual stenosis is identified, the choice of IA strategy wil be made by the treating neurointerventionalist. Choice of therapy depends on local approval and experience. If IA thrombolysis is the chosen strategy, a maximum of 22 mg of IA rt-PA or 1.500.000 Units of Urokinase may be given. Stenting is allowed in the presence of a high-grade vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion hampering adequate endovascular access to the basilar artery and in case of a residual high-grade basilar artery stenosis. The use of any other treatment strategy depends on local approval and experience, and is only allowed after prior approval of the steering committee.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• BASICS Study Group

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Erik van der Hoeven

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• W J Schonewille, MD · St. Antonius Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-10-31

Primary Completion

2019-01-31

Completion

2020-01-31

Countries

• Brazil
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Switzerland

Study Locations