American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference – Late-Breaking Science Presentations LB4 and LB12
Research Highlights:
- No standard medical therapy exists for a stroke occurring in a
small vessel in the deep areas of the brain — called a lacunar stroke.
- A preliminary study of two common cardiovascular medications,
cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate, suggests these two medications
were safe and well-tolerated by adults who have experienced small vessel
stroke, when taken alone or together.
- A larger, more extensive study is planned to examine the
effectiveness of the medications in treating the complications of small
vessel stroke.
Embargoed until 11:40 a.m. CT/12:40 p.m. ET Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023
DALLAS, Feb. 9, 2023 — A study of two widely used cardiovascular
medications — cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate — in more than 350
patients confirmed the two medications were well-tolerated and safe for
people who have experienced a stroke in a small blood vessel deep in the
brain. The results suggest the medications may help improve patient
outcomes, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today
at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference
2023. The meeting, held in person in Dallas and virtually Feb. 8-10,
2023, is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians
dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.
Small vessel disease of the brain accounts for about 20% -25% of all ischemic strokes,
according to previous research. A lacunar stroke, or small vessel
stroke, occurs when the inner lining of the tiny blood vessels inside
the brain are damaged, leading to a stroke or dementia.
“Currently, there is no proven treatment to prevent poor outcomes
after lacunar stroke, so the ultimate goal with this research is to
evaluate if medications with potential modes of action on the inner
lining of blood vessels might help improve small vessel function and
prevent or slow long-term brain damage after lacunar stroke,” said lead
study investigator Joanna M. Wardlaw, M.D., FAHA, professor of applied
neuroimaging, honorary consultant neuroradiologist, head of neuroimaging
sciences and the director of Edinburgh Imaging at Edinburgh University
in Edinburgh, Scotland. She is also the foundation chair of the U.K.
Dementia Research Institute.
The medications in the study are commonly prescribed for other
cardiac conditions. Isosorbide mononitrate is used to treat chest pain
by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing blood pressure. Cilostazol
improves the flow of blood by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing
blood clotting. It is often prescribed for people with peripheral artery
disease — a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away
from the heart to other parts of the body.
This study, called LACunar Intervention Trial 2 (LACI-2), is the
second largest ever trial in lacunar stroke. It examined whether such a
trial was feasible among people with lacunar strokes and if the
medications would be well-tolerated for one year after lacunar stroke.
Researchers also analyzed safety and other outcomes, including recurrent
stroke, cognitive impairment, dependency, mood and quality of life.
This detailed information is needed for the next stage of research – a
phase 3 trial, which would include more study participants. Results of
the analysis on cognitive status at one year will be presented
separately in the same Main Event session on Feb. 9.
From Feb. 2018 to May 2022, researchers enrolled 363 adults who had
experienced lacunar stroke from 26 stroke centers throughout the United
Kingdom. The participants were average age 64 years, and 31% were women.
All study participants continued to take their usual prescribed
medications as per stroke guidelines, including those that reduce blood
clotting, lower blood pressure and/or lower cholesterol — all of which
may lower the risk of a second or recurrent stroke.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups:
40-60 mg/day of oral isosorbide mononitrate alone; 200 mg/day of oral
cilostazol alone; both medications; or neither medication for one year.
The participants completed phone surveys at 6 and 12 months to assess
health status, including recurrent stroke and heart problems, cognitive
tests, symptoms, quality-of-life surveys, and had brain imaging at 12
months.
The study met its initial goals to determine if a larger trial was
feasible and if the medications were safe and tolerable. After one year,
358 of the adults were still participating in the study, with 95% of
participants taking at least half of medication doses prescribed for the
trial. Safety criteria were also met: four participants died; there
were four episodes of bleeding outside of the brain; no excessive falls
or dizziness. Some participants experienced mild symptoms (such as
headaches), which were expected.
Researchers also saw some potential benefits from the medication
groups, including data that indicated the group who took the combined
isosorbide mononitrate and cilostazol had a reduction in the amount of
assistance they needed with everyday living tasks, a reduction in
cognitive impairment and positive impacts on mood and quality of life.
Isosorbide mononitrate alone reduced recurrent stroke, cognitive
impairment and improved quality of life; cilostazol alone reduced the
need for daily assistance.
“There appeared to be some potential benefits that will need to be
confirmed in a larger phase 3 trial,” Wardlaw said. “We saw good hints
of efficacy, particularly for isosorbide mononitrate on reducing
recurrent stroke and cognitive impairment, and we also found that both
medications together seemed to work synergistically, rather than
counteracting any benefit. This is very encouraging since no study has
previously found any medications that positively affect cognitive
impairment in small vessel disease strokes. So, we cautiously hope that
these medications may have wider implications for other types of small
vessel disease.”
The study has some limitations, including that it was relatively
small at 363 patients and not designed to measure efficacy, thus the
results showing effectiveness should be interpreted cautiously. The
trial was open label, meaning participants and clinicians were aware of
which medication/s and doses they were taking; however, the follow-up
staff for the study were unaware of which treatment the patients were
assigned. Additionally, the investigators did not collect data on race
or ethnicity, and many ethnic groups were suspected to be
underrepresented.
Study co-lead author is Philip M. Bath, D.Sc., FAHA, UK Stroke
Association Professor of Medicine at the University of Nottingham. The
list of authors’ disclosures is available in the abstract.
The study was funded primarily by the British Heart Foundation, with
support from the UK Alzheimer’s Society, the U.K. Dementia Research
Institute, the Stroke Association, the Fondation Leducq, NHS Research
Scotland and the U.K. National Institutes of Health Research Clinical
Research Networks. The work was conducted by the University of Edinburgh
and the University of Nottingham.
Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the
American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the
study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy
or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to
their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s
scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by
independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to
add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the
meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a
full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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Additional Resources:
The American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference
(ISC) is the world’s premier meeting dedicated to the science and
treatment of cerebrovascular disease. ISC 2023 will be held in person in
Dallas and virtually, Feb. 8-10, 2023. The three-day conference will
feature more than a thousand compelling presentations in categories that
emphasize basic, clinical and translational sciences as research
evolves toward a better understanding of stroke pathophysiology with the
goal of developing more effective therapies. Engage in the
International Stroke Conference on social media via #ISC23.
About the American Stroke Association
The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from
stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of
serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund
innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and
provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke.
The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division
of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved,
call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
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AHA Communications & Media Relations in Dallas: 214-706-1173; ahacommunications@heart.org
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