Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
When brain arteries bleed abruptly into the subarachnoid space (the interval between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater, containing cerebrospinal fluid), a subarachnoid hemorrhage has occurred. The most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the bulging of a cerebral artery wall called an aneurysm.
One of the serious complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the transient narrowing of the arteries (due to spasms) which is called cerebral vasospasm. Cerebral vasospasm is the main cause of mortality and morbidity following an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. As the cerebral arteries provide glucose and oxygen for brain tissue, a reduced blood supply causes cerebral ischemia in about more than two-thirds of patients who experience aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Also, a considerable portion of the survivors suffers neurological symptoms like paralysis, numbness, and etc.
The exact mechanisms of the cerebral vasospasm are not well understood. However, there are some pieces of evidence that demonstrate the important role of inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether anti-inflammatory medications can prevent cerebral vasospasm. Evaluation of the vascular spasms will be implemented by the doppler sonography of cerebral arteries.
Who can participate?
Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage following the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm can participate in this study.
What does the study involve?
Patients are randomly allocated into two groups. The first group will take ibuprofen and for the second group, a sham will be administered that is totally similar to the drug. Participants in both groups will take either the drug or sham for two weeks, four times a day, and both groups will receive standard treatment at the same time.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Although evidence from some in vitro and very limited human experiments are promising for the possible preventive effects of ibuprofen on cerebral vasospasm, we might not see those benefits among participants. However, it is a worthwhile opportunity to support a research that directly helps to discover possible new pathways in the prevention of cerebral vasospasm and its mishaps secondary to the complications.
Ibuprofen is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that may have some adverse effects such as dizziness, heartburn, nausea, rash, and tinnitus in people without comorbidities. Acute kidney injury is a rare adverse effect of these medications. The most serious adverse effects of NSAIDs are gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and increased risk of some heart diseases. Nonetheless, the administration of anti-acid medications can significantly lower the occurrence of GI complications. Also, previous long term consumption of antiplatelet medications like aspirin is a predisposing factor for GI bleeding. Patients with existing heart disease or risk factors for such diseases may be at greater risk for heart complications. In this study, before enrollment, patients will be assessed for risk factors and will be stratified based on their chronic diseases and type of their medications to exclude those with high risk and decrease the probability of any mishap for the others as much as possible. Also, the participants are under 24-hour close observation of our clinical experts in the intensive care unit and any possible complications will be managed promptly by them based on the institutional protocols.
Where is the study run from?
The study will be conducted in Qaem teaching Hospital (Mashhad, Iran).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2018 to June 2021
Who is funding the study?
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS).
Who is the main contact?
Dr Samira Zabihyan
zabihyan@yahoo.com
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Samira Zabihiyan
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0742-6664
Contact details
Department of Neurosurgery
Ghaem Teaching Hospital
Ahmad Abad Blvd
Mashhad
99199-91766
Iran
+98 (0)9151115783
Zabihyans@mums.ac.ir
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
971587
Study information
Scientific title
Prophylactic effects of ibuprofen vs placebo on cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a single-center randomized, controlled pilot trial
Acronym
Study hypothesis
Ibuprofen can prevent subsequent cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Ethics approval
Approved 09/04/2019, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) ethical committee (Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Ghorashi building, Daneshgah Street, Mashhad, 91388-13944, Iran; +98 5138411538; vcresearch@mums.ac.ir), ref: IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1398.225
Study design
Single-center feasibility study for a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Vasospasms following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Intervention
Eligible participants are adult patients 18 years old and older with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage confirmed by a brain CT scan, CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography or digital subtraction angiography who admitted to the emergency department within 6 hours of the ictus. Those who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized based on a generated permuted block randomization table using an online random sequence generator with an allocation list in random order. The allocation ratio is 1:1. Then, an independent investigator allocates participants into two groups for the administration of either ibuprofen or placebo. The intervention group will receive Ibuprofen capsules 400 mg/every 6 hours for 14 days. Placebo is given to the control group. At the same time, both groups will concomitantly be treated by the standard of care of aSAH treatment for 2 weeks including nimodipine and phenytoin. Microsurgical aneurysmal clipping or interventional coiling will be performed for patients who have an indication based on the researchers' protocols.
Intervention type
Drug
Phase
Phase III
Drug names
Ibuprofen
Primary outcome measure
Feasibility outcomes (measured using case report forms):
1. Ability to recruit 30 participants over 12 months
2. Ability to follow 85% of participants for 3 months
3. Patient compliance with the study treatment if 75% of participants comply with 75% of the protocol
Secondary outcome measures
Outcomes for the definitive trial:
1. All-cause mortality until discharge and by the end of follow-up measured using patient records
2. Cerebral vasospasm: defined as detection of vasospasm by either digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or transcranial Doppler (TCD). Angiographic vasospasm is defined as focal or generalized reduction of cerebral arterial caliber on conventional cerebral angiogram. TCD vasospasm is defined as any peak systolic middle cerebral artery velocity (PSVMCA) _120 cm/s and a Lindegaard ratio of >3 and it will be assessed every other day during the hospitalization
3. Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI): The occurrence of DCI defined as the development of new, focal neurological deficits, and/or a decreased level of consciousness of at least two points on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after other possible causes of deterioration have been excluded assessed every other day during the hospitalization
4. Disability at discharge and 3 months using Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at three-month follow-up. Favorable mRS outcomes are (mRS 1 and 2) and unfavorable outcomes are (mRS 3 to 6)
Overall trial start date
08/09/2018
Overall trial end date
01/06/2021
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage verified by a brain CT scan
2. Older than 18 years old
3. Admitted less than 6 hours after the onset of clinical symptoms
4. World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score I, II and III at admission
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
There are 30 participants in this study
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Patients who have hypersensitivity to aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs
2. Previous and prolonged use of any type of NSAIDs other than aspirin
3. History of aneurysmal re-bleeding, and active bleeding of a gastrointestinal ulcer, hemodynamic instability, and pregnancy
4. Patients with a history of myocardial infarction(MI) or percutaneous coronary interventions
Recruitment start date
01/09/2020
Recruitment end date
01/01/2021
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Iran
Trial participating centre
Ghaem teaching Hospital
Ahmad Abad Blvd
Mashhad
99199-91766
Iran
Sponsor information
Organisation
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Sponsor details
Knowledge and Health City
Shahid Fakouri Blvd (In front of Fakouri 94)
Razavi-Khorasan province
Mashhad
91778-99191
Iran
+98 (0)51 38049
presidentoffice@mums.ac.ir
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Alternative name(s)
MUMS
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
Local government
Location
Iran
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
It is anticipated that the results of this study will be presented in international meetings, early 2021 and the article will be published during late 2021.
IPD sharing statement:
All data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.
Intention to publish date
31/12/2021
Participant level data
Other
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list