Stopping or continuing blood thinners after stroke at young age without a known cause: STOP trial

ISRCTN ISRCTN96178713
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN96178713
EudraCT/CTIS number 2024-513092-40-00
Secondary identifying numbers 114180, ZonMw Subsidy decision on file number: 10140252210002
Submission date
11/07/2024
Registration date
17/09/2024
Last edited
17/01/2025
Recruitment status
Recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
In the Netherlands, 100,000 patients live with the long-term consequences of a TIA or ischaemic stroke at a young age (18-49 years old). The majority of these patients will use lifelong blood thinners (for example clopidogrel). This treatment strategy is based on studies among people with stroke due to atherosclerosis, who were on average 65 years of age. It is unknown whether lifelong use of blood thinners is effective for young people with TIA or ischaemic stroke as it is in elderly people, particularly in patients without a known cause for their stroke (cryptogenic stroke). Yet, young patients are exposed to blood thinners for decades with an increased risk of serious bleeding. It has never been established whether the benefits of blood thinners outweigh the risks for young patients, particularly in patients without atherosclerosis. The STOP trial aims to investigate whether blood thinners can safely be stopped three or more years after a TIA or ischemic stroke without a known cause at a young age.

Who can participate?
Patients who had a TIA or ischaemic stroke at the age of 18-49 years, for which the treating neurologist did not find a cause. The TIA or ischaemic stroke should have taken place at least 3 years before inclusion and participation in the study and patients should not have experienced a recurrent stroke or myocardial infarction afterwards.

What does the study involve?
Patients are randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 stops taking blood thinners, and group 2 continues taking blood thinners. Patients are requested to fill in a questionnaire each year. The study will run for 5 years.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Patients who stop using blood thinners have a lower risk of serious bleeding complications. In addition, stopping antiplatelet therapy provides convenience for patients who don’t have to take daily antiplatelet medication.

Patients who continue to use blood thinners have a risk of serious bleeding (for example bleeding from the gut or even bleeding in the brain). We expect that the risk of a recurrent stroke or myocardial infarction is similar for patients who stop or continue blood thinners. However, there might be a very small increased risk of a recurrent stroke or myocardial infarction among patients who stop blood thinners.

Where is the study run from?
The Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Recruitment is planned to start in october 2024 and run for two years

Who is funding the study?
The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Frank-Erik de Leeuw, FrankErik.deLeeuw@radboudumc.nl

Contact information

Prof Frank Erik De Leeuw
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10
Nijmegen
6500 HB
Netherlands

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-2221-3026
Phone +31243098289
Email FrankErik.deLeeuw@radboudumc.nl

Study information

Study designMulticenter randomized non-inferiority trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment, Safety
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleStopping or continuing platelet inhibitors after cryptogenic stroke at young age: STOP trial
Study acronymSTOP trial
Study objectivesDiscontinuaton of antiplatelet drugs is non-inferior to continuation of antiplatelet durgs, three or more years after a cryptogenic stroke at young age
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 14/11/2024, METC Oost Nederland (Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, Netherlands; +31243613154; metcoost-en-cmo@radboudumc.nl), ref: None provided

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPatients with cryptogenic stroke at the age of 18-49 years
InterventionDiscontinuation of antiplatelet therapy.
The intervention is the discontinuation of oral daily antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel 75mg once daily or acetylsalicylic acid 80mg once daily, with or without dipyridamole 200mg twice daily). The comparator is the continuation of antiplatelet therapy according to standard care. There is no specific trial drug manufacturer. Patients will be randomly allocated 1:1 by an external web-based system to the intervention or comparator arm.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)Not Applicable
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Clopidogrel, acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole
Primary outcome measurePrimary efficacy outcome:
1. A composite endpoint of major vascular events, defined as TIA with imaging confirmation, stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from vascular causes measured using a digital questionnaire or telephone follow-up and verified with medical records with annual follow-up for five years
Primary safety outcome:
2. Major bleeding, according to the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria, measured using a digital questionnaire or telephone follow-up and verified with medical records with annual follow-up for five years
Secondary outcome measuresThe following secondary outcome measures are assessed using digital questionnaires or telephone follow-up with annual follow-up for five years:
1. Disability measured using the modified Ranking Scale
2. Quality of life measured using EQ-5D-5L
3. All cause mortality
Overall study start date01/04/2024
Completion date01/11/2032

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit65 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants1316
Key inclusion criteria1. First ever ischaemic stroke, or TIA with evidence of ischaemia on imaging, 3-10 years before study participation
2. Age 18-49 years old at the time of TIA/ischaemic stroke
3. Cryptogenic aetiology, defined as no other aetiology after standard work-up according to national and international guidelines for young stroke (imaging of the brain (CT-scan or MRI-scan) and cervical arteries (CTA, MRA or carotid ultrasound), routine blood tests (complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, antiphospholipid antibodies, ECG, at least 24 hours cardiac rhythm monitoring and transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography).
Key exclusion criteria1. History of MI, coronary revascularisation or documented peripheral arterial disease
2. Other indication for antiplatelet therapy
3. Indication for oral anticoagulants or low molecular weight heparin
4. Recurrent ischaemic event at any time after the index event
5. Any stenosis of intracranial or cervical artery at time of stroke
6. Two or more risk factors for atherosclerotic disease prior to the index event, according to the following definitions:
6.1. Arterial hypertension (treated or known blood pressure before stroke >140/90 mm Hg)
6.2. Diabetes mellitus (treated or known blood fasting glucose >7 mmol/l)
6.3. Current smoking (or smoking stopped within the last 6 months)
6.4. Hypercholesterolaemia (treated or known low-density lipoprotein before the stroke >160 mg/dl or 4, mmol/l)
7. Any condition that prevents long-term follow-up
Date of first enrolment23/12/2024
Date of final enrolment01/10/2026

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

Radboud University Medical Center
Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10
Nijmegen
6500 HB
Netherlands

Sponsor information

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

ZonMw
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Alternative name(s)
Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Location
Netherlands

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/11/2033
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date

Editorial Notes

17/01/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 01/10/2024 to 23/12/2024.
16/07/2024: Study's existence confirmed by ZonMw.