Finding the best time to give blood thinning drugs to prevent clots from forming in the legs or lungs, in patients with traumatic brain injury
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN64696029 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN64696029 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 1009812 |
| Protocol serial number | TOP-TPI |
| Sponsors | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cambridge |
| Funder | Health Technology Assessment Programme |
- Submission date
- 21/11/2024
- Registration date
- 11/12/2024
- Last edited
- 18/06/2025
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to falls, assaults, road traffic accidents etc are at risk of VTE and this will complicate their recovery from TBI, could lead to long-term reduction in quality of life and occasionally can be fatal. Doctors typically give TBI patients blood thinning medication to reduce the chances of developing VTE but some doctors worry that these drugs could increase the risk of further bleeding in the brain if given too soon following the injury. Several studies have shown that giving blood thinning medication within 72 hours of injury does not increase the risk of further bleeding compared to giving the medication later than 120 hours or not giving it at all if deemed clinically unnecessary. This study will recruit patients with TBI and compare the timing of giving blood thinning medication (within 72 hours vs more than 120 hours following TBI or not at all) and guide the best practice in the future for initiating the drugs to reduce the risk of VTE without introducing complications from further bleeding.
Who can participate?
Patients ≥16 years of age with acute TBI
What does the study involve?
For this trial patients, following informed consent and eligibility screening, will be randomly allocated (by a computer) into one of two groups. The "early" group will start blood thinning medication within 72 hours of injury while the "late" group will have their medication deferred by at least 120 hours from injury or not given at all. Patients will be given the medications while they are in hospital. The study aims to ascertain the optimal timing of VTE prophylaxis in TBI patients by comparing the two groups in terms of development of VTE within 30 and 90 days from trial enrolment, mortality at 7 and 30 days and 12 months and quality of life following discharge from hospital. Patients will be asked about their quality of life at 30 days and then at 6 and 12 months via postal questionnaire, email or phone call.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There is no guarantee that the patient will benefit from taking part in this trial. The timing of initiating the blood thinning medication following TBI may prevent the patient from developing a clot without introducing complications from further bleeding. As a consequence of participation in the trial, patients may be seen more often and/or feel more supported. Information gained from this trial may help improve treatment for adults with TBI in the future.
The study drugs (blood thinning medication) given to patients within this trial are standard-of-care drugs that are routinely given to TBI patients so there is no additional risk. As with any medication, blood thinning drugs can give rise to some side effects but patients will be closely monitored and if they suffer any serious unforeseen reactions the drug will be stopped immediately. The risk of bleeding will be assessed before patients are randomised to either the early or late arm of the trial.
An additional burden to participants is that they will be asked to complete some questionnaires at 30 days, 6 and 12 months, this may coincide with a routine clinical appointment if possible, otherwise, the questionnaires will be sent to participants to complete via post or email and can also be completed via telephone by the central research team.
Where is the study run from?
Cambridge Clinical Trial Unit (CCTU), UK
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2024 to March 2029
Who is funding the study?
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (HTA)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Angelos Kolias, ak721@cam.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Level 6, Coton House, Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1223 348489 |
|---|---|
| cuh.ccturegulatory@nhs.net |
Principal investigator
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road
Cambridge
CB20QQ
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1223 746452 |
|---|---|
| ak721@cam.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized controlled open-label parallel-group study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN64696029_PIS_V1.1_27Nov24.pdf |
| Scientific title | Timing Of venous thromboembolism Prophylaxis for adult patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TOP-TBl): a pragmatic, randomised trial |
| Study acronym | TOP-TBI |
| Study objectives | Recruit 1512 patients in a randomised trial (150 in the internal pilot, 1362 in the substantive study) to estimate the absolute difference in the proportion of patients developing VTE between the two arms (early vs late PTP administration). 1.Compare the consequences of early versus late PTP administration on functional neurological outcome (assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Score Extended) and quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L 2.Compare all-cause mortality between the two arms 3.Compare intracranial haemorrhage progression and all serious adverse events between the two arms 4.Undertake a detailed economic evaluation. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 03/12/2024, North East – Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee (2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)207 104 8077; newcastlenorthtyneside1.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 24/NE/0202 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Medical condition: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medical condition in lay language: Severe brain injury following an accident Therapeutic areas: Diseases [C] - Injuries, poisonings, and occupational diseases [C21] |
| Intervention | Early pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis (PTP) arm - defined as administration of PTP within 72 hours of TBI Late PTP arm - defined as administration of PTP after a minimum of 120 hours from TBI or PTP not administered at clinical discretion. · IMP o Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), o Low molecular weight sulphated glycosaminoglycuronans o DOAC (Direct Oral Anticoagulants) o Synthetic pentasaccharide o Heparin The dose, dose frequency, and route of administration to be used are at the discretion of the doctor managing patient care using NICE guidelines. Sealed Envelopes will be used for the randomisation. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase IV |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Fondaparinux sodium [fondaprinux sodium], dabigatran etexilate (as mesilate) [dabigatran etexilate], danaparoid sodium [danaparoid sodium], heparin sodium [heparin sodium], enoxaparin sodium [enoxaparin sodium], dalteparin sodium [dalteparin sodium], tinzaparin sodium [dalteparin sodium] |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Symptomatic DVT or PE will be investigated as per standard clinical practice either by compression Doppler ultrasound of the femoral and popliteal veins or CTPA, as appropriate, within 30 days from randomisation |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Any asymptomatic proximal DVT as part of symptomatic screening ultrasound diagnosed from the day of randomisation up until day 29 post-randomisation |
| Completion date | 31/03/2029 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 1512 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adult patients (≥16 years of age) 2. Acute TBI (defined as acute traumatic changes on CT brain, either in isolation or in the context of polytrauma) 3. Patients admitted to hospital within 72 hours of injury |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Patients with recent Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) - within 3 months before TBI 2. Known hypersensitivity to any VTE prophylaxis agents to be used in this trial 3. Patients not expected to live beyond 72 hours 4. Time interval from injury to randomisation exceeding 72 hours 5. Participation in the same study within last 12 months 6. Current use of anticoagulation for an alternative indication, with a clinical decision to continue 7. Acute bleeding deemed serious enough that the treating clinical team lack equipoise for the study question 8. Progression of early traumatic intracranial haemorrhage or unstable neurological condition, such that the treating clinical team lack equipoise for the study questions |
| Date of first enrolment | 02/06/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 15/01/2028 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Published as a supplement to the results publication |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study will be published as a supplement to the results publication |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | version 1.1 | 27/11/2024 | 24/01/2025 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN64696029_PIS_V1.1_27Nov24.pdf
- Participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
18/06/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 01/06/2025 to 02/06/2025.
27/05/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 15/05/2025 to 01/06/2025.
28/04/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 01/04/2025 to 15/05/2025.
03/03/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 15/02/2025 to 01/04/2025.
24/01/2025: Participant information sheet added. The recruitment start date was changed from 25/01/2025 to 15/02/2025.
04/12/2024: ISRCTN received notification of combined HRA/MHRA approval for this trial on 04/12/2024.
22/11/2024: Study's existence confirmed by Health Research Authority (HRA) (UK)
