RecruitingNot Applicable

Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Acute Moderate Posterior Ischemic Stroke

China960 participantsStarted 2025-04-13

Plain-language summary

A substantial body of basic and clinical research has demonstrated the protective effects of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in ischemic stroke. While these clinical studies support the safety of RIC, the neuroprotective benefits of RIC in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients lack robust evidence due to small sample sizes, heterogeneous RIC protocols, and variability in the severity of neurological deficits among study populations. Our recent multicenter randomized clinical trial, the RICAMIS study, investigated the efficacy of RIC in patients with acute moderate ischemic stroke. The results showed that RIC administered within 48 hours of onset significantly improved 90-day neurological outcomes in patients with moderate stroke severity. It is well established that anterior circulation stroke (ACS) and posterior circulation stroke (PCS) differ in multiple aspects, including anatomical structure, collateral circulation, blood supply, clinical manifestations, prognosis, ischemic tolerance time, and treatment response. For instance, compared to the anterior circulation, the posterior circulation has poorer collateral circulation, a higher proportion of stroke etiologies attributed to atherosclerosis, and longer ischemic tolerance time. Consequently, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy may offer a more extended therapeutic time window for PCS patients. A prespecified subgroup analysis of the RICAMIS study revealed that patients with PCS derived greater benefit from RIC than those with ACS. However, this finding requires further validation through prospective studies, as prior research has never specifically examined the efficacy of RIC in PCS patients. Based on the above discussion, this study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of RIC in patients with acute moderate PCS.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years; * Time from onset to treatment: ≤48 hours; * Posterior circulation ischemic stroke confirmed by CT or MRI, including patients who have received intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy; * NIHSS score at randomization: 6-16, with an item 1a (level of consciousness) score of 0-1; * First-ever stroke or prior stroke without significant residual disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≤1); * Signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage； * Uncontrolled severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \>110 mmHg despite antihypertensive therapy)； * Subclavian artery stenosis ≥ 50% or subclavian steal syndrome; * Intracranial tumor, arteriovenous malformation or aneurysm; * Severe abnormalities in coagulation; * Any contraindication for remote ischemic adaptation: the upper limb has serious soft tissue injury, fracture or vascular injury, distal upper limb perivascular lesions, etc.; * Participating in other clinical trials within 3 months; * Comorbidity with any serious diseases and life expectancy is less than half a year; * Patients not suitable for this clinical studies considered by researcher;

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

proportion of excellent outcome

Timeframe: 90±7 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06931535

SponsorGeneral Hospital of Shenyang Military Region

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Ischemic Stroke trials