Evaluating whether highly calcified stenoses of arteries supplying the brain can be safely treated percutaneously using ultrasound stone-crushing technique
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN94131858 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN94131858 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | 1072.6120.286.2018 |
| Sponsor | Jagiellonian University Medical College |
| Funder | Wydział Lekarski, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum |
- Submission date
- 30/09/2025
- Registration date
- 13/10/2025
- Last edited
- 13/10/2025
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Circulatory System
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Highly calcific (‘stone-like’) carotid stenoses (HCCS) remain a significant challenge for endovascular management, and open surgery is usually considered the treatment of choice. However, a significant proportion of patients who require treatment are elderly and may be too frail for surgery; such patients could likely benefit from minimally invasive (percutaneous) treatment. Recent technology developments enable using ultrasound energy, applied from a modified angioplasty balloon (transiently placed in the artery), to crack the rigid, ‘stone-like’ atherosclerotic calcifications. This approach is similar to cracking, for instance, kidney stones with ultrasound energy. The novel technology, called intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), is today typically used to crack highly calcific atherosclerotic stenoses of the heart or arteries in the legs – but not yet routinely in the arteries supplying the brain. This study evaluates the use of IVL, in combination with plaque-sequestrating carotid stents, to treat highly calcific stenoses of arteries supplying the brain.
Who can participate?
Consecutive patients aged 18 years and over with HCCS scheduled for carotid revascularization as a means of primary or secondary stroke prevention as per Neurovascular Team recommendation.
What does the study involve?
The study involves the use of IVL and routinely available plaque containing carotid stents to treat, under routine cerebral protection, highly calcified arteries supplying the brains. The IVL technique is not new in management highly calcific atherosclerosis as it is commonly used in coronary and ilio-femoral arteries.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
One fundamental benefit is that the use of endovascular treatment rather than open surgery. However, IVL like any endovascular treatment may be associated with formation of embolic particles. For this reason, the study involves routine use of double (proximal and distal) cerebral protection that has been shown in the pilot series to effectively prevent cerebral embolism.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run from –and in– Saint John Paul IInd Hospital (Poland), a hospital routinely performing carotid artery revascularization (both endovascular and surgical).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2025 to December 2028
Who is funding the study?
The study is initiated and run by the investigators (investigator-initiated study), and it is funded by Jagiellonian University Medical College (Poland)
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Piotr Musialek, p.musialek@szpitaljp2.krakow.pl
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Pradnicka 80
Krakow
31-202
Poland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-9300-4833 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +48 (0)126142111 |
| p.musialek@szpitaljp2.krakow.pl |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre single-arm open-label study |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Scientific title | A novel PARADIGM in highly calcified carotid stenoses endovascular management: intravascular lithotripsy and CGuard MicroNet covered stent: the PARADIGM–IVL study |
| Study acronym | PARADIGM–IVL |
| Study objectives | To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of endovascular management of highly calcific carotid stenoses in symptomatic and increased-stroke-risk asymptomatic patients using intravascular lithotripsy and plaque-sequestrating carotid stent. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 25/10/2024, Jagiellonian University Ethics Committee (Skawinska 8, Kraków, 31-066, Poland; +48 (0)12 433 27 43; komisja_bioetyczna@uj-cm.krakow.pl), ref: 1072.6120.286.2018_10.2024 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Symptomatic and increased stroke risk asymptomatic, highly calcific carotid stenoses deemed for endovascular revascularization |
| Intervention | In local aesthesia, after common femoral artery puncture and 9F sheath insertion, a diagnostic catheter is placed in target site common carotid artery, and the target lesion is fully visualized. The diagnostic catheter is then changed into proximal cerebral protection catheter (either Flowgate or MoMa). Distal embolic protection filter (any type) is delivered through the lesion to the internal carotid artery under cerebral protection. After cerebral protection is established initial predilatation is performed by stiff, non-compliant balloon(s). Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) using coronary or peripheral ShockWave balloons is performed afterwards as per instruction for use, delivering maximally tolerated number of calcium cacking deliveries as per catheter specifications. This is usually followed by another a larger non-compliant balloon to further optimize lesion preparation. Then a high-radial-force, MicroNet covered (plaque sequestrating CGuard stent) is implanted. Finally non-compliant balloon postdilations is performed (in case of diameter(s) greater than 6 mm, a larger semi-compliant balloon(s) such as 7-8 mm can be used. In case of proximal protection intolerance (signs of cerebral ischemia) the flow is restored and procedure is continued under distal protection. Intravascular ultrasound is performed at the end of the procedure to document the stent expansion and apposition, visualize any in-stent material and document lumen reconstruction. |
| Intervention type | Device |
| Phase | Phase II/III |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Intravascular Lithotripsy + CGuard MicroNet covered stent |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Combined (hierarchical) clinical endpoint of death, stroke, myocardial infarction verified at 30-day Duplex Ultrasound (DUS) outpatient visit or telephone visit by 30 days |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Death verified at 30-day DUS outpatient or telephone visit by 30 days |
| Completion date | 31/12/2028 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 50 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Presence of carotid stenosis requiring revascularization: 1.1. Symptomatic stenosis >50% (within 6 months: stroke, transient cerebral ischemia, amaurosis fugax, retinal stroke). 1.2. Asymptomatic stenosis >70-80% with high-risk features (plaque irregularity, thrombus containment, ulceration, containment of large lipid core; evidence of plaque progression) 2. Heavy calcification of carotid stenosis in duplex ultrasound and confirmed in angiography according to HCCS score [Mazurek CCI] 3. Subject deemed medically eligible for intravascular management, per institutional guidelines and clinical judgment 4. Age ≥18 years, no upper age limit |
| Key exclusion criteria | Lack of the patient agreement for endovascular carotid revascularization or any study related procedure |
| Date of first enrolment | 17/02/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2028 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Poland
Study participating centre
Kraków
31-202
Poland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | Anonymised data will be shared upon reasonable request submitted to the PIs. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
06/10/2025: Study's existence confirmed by Jagiellonian University Ethics Committee.
