The RIGHT Trial: Rapid Intervention with Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in Hypertensive stroke Trial

ISRCTN ISRCTN66434824
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66434824
EudraCT/CTIS number 2007-004766-40
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
18/02/2008
Registration date
09/05/2008
Last edited
21/08/2015
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims.
The first few hours following a stroke are critical as there may be brain cells that are at the risk of dying but may still be saved. High blood pressure following stroke is common and may impact negatively on the survival of these brain cells. Trials that have assessed the effect of lowering blood pressure following a stroke however have not shown any benefit, but this may be because treatment was often delayed by several hours by the time patients were seen in the hospital. Our goal is to assess the feasibility of using the ambulance services to deliver acute stroke treatments. In this study, paramedics will treat patients with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), a drug that dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure, within 4 hours of stroke. The study will also provide important information on the effects of GTN in very acute strokes.

Who can participate?
We aim to recruit 80 patients with a stroke who are within 4 hours of onset and also have high blood pressure. Only patients who are seen by our trained paramedics in the Nottingham City, UK district will be included in the study.

What does the study involve?
Patients will be randomly allocated to receive either a dressing containing GTN or a standard gauze dressing. Paramedics will then measure the patients' blood pressure 10-15 minutes after the dressing is applied. Once in the hospital more detailed information will be given and if patients agree to continue in the study, the treatment will be continued daily for 7 days. Researchers will check the blood pressure every day and perform clinical assessments after completion of 7 days treatment. The final follow up is at 3 months and a member of the research team will do a face to face assessment of the patient, check on their condition, and ask questions about mobility, mood, memory and quality of life.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may be no direct benefit for patients taking part in the study. The information we get from patients' involvement may benefit other people who may have a stroke in the future. All drugs have the possibility of side effects. The side effects from GTN are generally mild. They can include headache, low blood pressure and dizziness. Patients will be monitored and asked to inform the treating doctor or member of the research team if they feel they have a reaction to the medication.

Where is the study run from?
The Division of Stroke, University of Nottingham.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started recruitment in February 2010 and is expected to run until the end of December 2011.

Who is funding the study?
The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Research and Development, The Division of Stroke, University of Nottingham.

Who is the main contact?
Professor Philip Bath
Philip.bath@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Sandeep Ankolekar
Sandeep.ankolekar@nottingham.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Prof Philip Bath
Scientific

Division of Stroke Medicine
University of Nottingham
Clinical Sciences Building
City Hospital
Hucknall Road
Nottingham
NG5 1PB
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)115 823 1765
Email philip.bath@nottingham.ac.uk

Study information

Study designSingle-blind randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleDetermining the potential of ambulance-based randomised controlled trials in patients with hyperacute stroke: assessment of glyceryl trinitrate in lowering blood pressure
Study acronymRIGHT
Study objectives1. To assess the feasibility of performing an ambulance-based trial in patients with hyperacute stroke, a key question for the future testing of potential interventions aimed at neuroprotection and physiological control
2. To assess the effect of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on blood pressure (BP) in this setting

On 05/11/2012 the overall trial end date was changed from 31/12/2011 to 15/03/2012.
Ethics approval(s)Nottingham research ethics committee, 08/04/2009, ref: 09/H0408/5
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAcute stroke
InterventionTransdermal GTN (5 mg) or no patch.
Total duration of treatment: 7 days
Total duration of follow up: 90 days
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Glyceryl trinitrate
Primary outcome measureTo assess the feasibility of using the ambulance service to test and deliver treatment for stroke in the hyperacute setting, will be measured as effects of GTN on blood pressure at 2 hours post-treatment.
Secondary outcome measuresCurrent secondary outcome measures as of 05/11/2012:
Haemodynamic outcomes
1. BP and heart rate (HR) at 15 minutes (in ambulance), 120 minutes (at hospital) and on days 2-7. BP/HR derivatives were calculated as follows:
Pulse pressure (PP) = systolic BP (SBP) - diastolic BP (DBP)
Rate pressure product = SBP x HR
2. Central BP and aortic compliance (Augmentation Index) were at 120 minutes

Clinical outcomes
1.Impairment (Scandinavian Stroke Scale, SSS) at 2 hours and day 7.
2. Other measurements at day 7 included
2.1. Recurrence
2.2. Death
2.3. Headache
2.4. Hypotension
2.5. Neurological deterioration (defined as a 5 point reduction in the SSS from Day 1 to Day 7).
3. Final clinical functional outcomes were recorded at day 90 including
3.1. Dependency (modified Rankin Scale, mRS),
3.2. Disability (Barthel Index, BI),
3.3. Cognition (Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE),
3.4. Mood (Zung Depression Index, ZDI), and
3.5. Quality of life (EuroQoL, as EQ-5D and EQ-VAS).

Ambulance trial logistics outcomes
1. Recruitment rate
2. Protocol violations
3. Final diagnosis
4. Timings between ictus, paramedic arrival and departure
5. Arrival at hospital

Previous secondary outcome measures until 05/11/2012:
To assess the effects of GTN on:
1. Blood pressure
2. Pulse pressure (PP)
3. Rate pressure product (RPP)
4. Surrogate markers of efficacy in blood in the hyperacute setting

Measured in hospital, day 7/discharge/death, and day 90.
Overall study start date01/03/2008
Completion date15/03/2012

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants80 (41 by end of recruitment in December 2011)
Key inclusion criteria1. Adult patients of either sex; greater than 40 years of age
2. Paramedic assessment of stroke on basis of positive Face & Arm weakness and Speech abnormality Test (FAST) in the context of a call to a patient with a possible acute stroke
3. Event less than 4 hours of onset (sleep stroke - onset as bed time)
4. High systolic BP (greater than 140 mmHg)
Key exclusion criteria1. No consent/assent is available
2. GTN is indicated (e.g. concurrent angina)
3. GTN is contraindicated (e.g. dehydration, hypovolaemia)
4. Aged less than 40 years
5. Coma; Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than or equal to 8
6. History of seizures
7. Non-ambulatory pre-morbidly (modified Rankin scale of greater than 2)
8. Hypoglycaemia (if glucose tested)
9. Patients from a nursing home
Date of first enrolment01/02/2010
Date of final enrolment01/12/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University of Nottingham
Nottingham
NG5 1PB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Nottingham (UK)
University/education

c/o Mr Paul Cartledge
Head of Research Grants and Research Innovation Services
King’s Meadow Campus
Lenton Lane
Nottingham
NG7 2NR
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)115 951 5670
Email Paul.cartledge@nottingham.ac.uk
Website http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01ee9ar58

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Research &Development Pump Priming competition)

No information available

The Division of Stroke, University of Nottingham

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 01/11/2012 Yes No
Results article results 01/11/2013 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No