A Non-Inferiority Trial of Stopping Penicillin in Early Rheumatic Heart Disease: GOAL-Stop (NCT07146048) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 3
A Non-Inferiority Trial of Stopping Penicillin in Early Rheumatic Heart Disease: GOAL-Stop
Uganda922 participantsStarted 2026-03-23
Plain-language summary
GOAL-Stop is a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial designed to evaluate whether discontinuing secondary antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is non-inferior to continuing SAP in preventing progression of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among children and adolescents. The trial will enroll participants aged 5-20 years with previously diagnosed mild RHD who have received at least 2 years of SAP and who demonstrate either echocardiographic normalization or stability (persistent mild RHD). Participants will be randomized to either continue SAP or discontinue SAP for 2 years. The primary outcome is echocardiographic progression of RHD at 2 years, assessed by blinded adjudicators using the 2023 World Heart Federation criteria. Subgroup analyses will evaluate outcomes in participants with echocardiographic normalization versus stable mild RHD, and an exploratory analysis will assess whether outcomes differ by prior prophylaxis route (oral vs. intramuscular).
Who can participate
Age range
5 Years – 20 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:
* Participated in GOALIE
* Concluded GOALIE with either echocardiographic normalization or stable mild RHD
* Between ages 5-20 years at time of enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
* RHD Stage C/D at GOALIE end of study echocardiogram
* Relocation to extremely distant residence or school
* Clinically documented penicillin allergy
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
1
Presence of echocardiographic progression of RHD at two years
Timeframe: Enrollment to the end of treatment at 2 years
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07146048
SponsorChildren's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati