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Multicentre, national, investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel-group, register-based superiority trial to compare extended ECG monitoring versus standard ECG monitoring in elderly patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and the effect on stroke, death and intracerebral bleeding : the AF SPICE protocol

Engdahl, Johan ; Straat, Kajsa ; Isaksson, Eva ; Rooth, Elisabeth ; Svennberg, Emma ; Norrving, Bo LU ; Euler, Mia Von ; Hellqvist, Kjersti ; Gu, Weigang and Ström, Jakob O. , et al. (2023) In BMJ Open 13(11).
Abstract

Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and AF detection can be challenged by asymptomatic and paroxysmal presentation. Long-term ECG monitoring after ischaemic stroke or TIA is recommended by all major societies in cardiology and cerebrovascular medicine as a secondary prophylactic measure. However, data on stroke reduction are lacking, and the recommendations show significant diversity. Methods and analysis AF SPICE is a multicentre, national, investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel-group, register-based trial comparing extended ECG monitoring versus standard ECG monitoring in patients admitted with ischaemic stroke or TIA, with a composite endpoint... (More)

Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and AF detection can be challenged by asymptomatic and paroxysmal presentation. Long-term ECG monitoring after ischaemic stroke or TIA is recommended by all major societies in cardiology and cerebrovascular medicine as a secondary prophylactic measure. However, data on stroke reduction are lacking, and the recommendations show significant diversity. Methods and analysis AF SPICE is a multicentre, national, investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel-group, register-based trial comparing extended ECG monitoring versus standard ECG monitoring in patients admitted with ischaemic stroke or TIA, with a composite endpoint of stroke, all-cause-mortality and intracerebral bleeding. Patients aged ≥70 years without previous AF will be randomised 1:1 to control (standard ECG monitoring) or intervention (extended ECG monitoring). In the control arm, patients will undergo 48±24 hours (ie, a range of 24-72 hours) of continuous ECG monitoring according to national recommendations. In the intervention arm, patients will undergo 14+14 days of continuous ECG monitoring 3 months apart using an ECG patch device, which will provide an easy-accessed, well-tolerated 14-day continuous ECG recording. All ECG patch recordings will be read in a core facility. In cases of AF detection, oral anticoagulation will be recommended if not contraindicated. A pilot phase has been concluded in 2022, which will transcend into the main trial during 2023-2026, including approximately 30 stroke units. The sample size was calculated to be 3262 patients. The primary outcome will be collected from register data during a 36-month follow-up. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been provided by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, reference 2021-02770. The trial will be conducted according to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and national regulatory standards. Positive results from the study have the potential for rapid dissemination in clinical practice. Trial registration number NCT05134454.

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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Cardiology, Stroke, Thromboembolism
in
BMJ Open
volume
13
issue
11
article number
e073470
publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • pmid:37996238
  • scopus:85177747244
ISSN
2044-6055
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073470
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e748dc6c-79a2-4916-a7dc-313a6b7b7a9e
date added to LUP
2024-01-02 11:30:48
date last changed
2024-04-17 10:57:12
@article{e748dc6c-79a2-4916-a7dc-313a6b7b7a9e,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and AF detection can be challenged by asymptomatic and paroxysmal presentation. Long-term ECG monitoring after ischaemic stroke or TIA is recommended by all major societies in cardiology and cerebrovascular medicine as a secondary prophylactic measure. However, data on stroke reduction are lacking, and the recommendations show significant diversity. Methods and analysis AF SPICE is a multicentre, national, investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel-group, register-based trial comparing extended ECG monitoring versus standard ECG monitoring in patients admitted with ischaemic stroke or TIA, with a composite endpoint of stroke, all-cause-mortality and intracerebral bleeding. Patients aged ≥70 years without previous AF will be randomised 1:1 to control (standard ECG monitoring) or intervention (extended ECG monitoring). In the control arm, patients will undergo 48±24 hours (ie, a range of 24-72 hours) of continuous ECG monitoring according to national recommendations. In the intervention arm, patients will undergo 14+14 days of continuous ECG monitoring 3 months apart using an ECG patch device, which will provide an easy-accessed, well-tolerated 14-day continuous ECG recording. All ECG patch recordings will be read in a core facility. In cases of AF detection, oral anticoagulation will be recommended if not contraindicated. A pilot phase has been concluded in 2022, which will transcend into the main trial during 2023-2026, including approximately 30 stroke units. The sample size was calculated to be 3262 patients. The primary outcome will be collected from register data during a 36-month follow-up. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been provided by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, reference 2021-02770. The trial will be conducted according to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and national regulatory standards. Positive results from the study have the potential for rapid dissemination in clinical practice. Trial registration number NCT05134454.</p>}},
  author       = {{Engdahl, Johan and Straat, Kajsa and Isaksson, Eva and Rooth, Elisabeth and Svennberg, Emma and Norrving, Bo and Euler, Mia Von and Hellqvist, Kjersti and Gu, Weigang and Ström, Jakob O. and Själander, Sara and Eriksson, Marie and Åsberg, Signild and Wester, Per}},
  issn         = {{2044-6055}},
  keywords     = {{Cardiology; Stroke; Thromboembolism}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  number       = {{11}},
  publisher    = {{BMJ Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{BMJ Open}},
  title        = {{Multicentre, national, investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel-group, register-based superiority trial to compare extended ECG monitoring versus standard ECG monitoring in elderly patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and the effect on stroke, death and intracerebral bleeding : the AF SPICE protocol}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073470}},
  doi          = {{10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073470}},
  volume       = {{13}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}