Safety and efficacy of tirofiban in acute ischemic stroke due to tandem lesions undergoing mechanical thrombectomy: A multicenter randomized clinical trial (ATILA) protocol

Abstract

Background:

In-stent thrombosis after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) worsen outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tandem lesions (TL). Although an optimal antiplatelet therapy is needed, the best approach to avoid in-stent thrombosis is yet to be elucidated.

Hypothesis:

Low-dose intravenous tirofiban is superior to intravenous aspirin in avoiding in-stent thrombosis in patients undergoing MT plus carotid stenting in the setting of AIS due to TL.

Methods:

The ATILA-trial is a multicenter, prospective, phase IV, randomized, controlled (aspirin group as control), assessor-blinded clinical trial. Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria (AIS due to TL, ASPECTS ⩾ 6, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale ⩽2 and onset <24 h) will be randomized (1:1) at MT onset to experimental (intravenous tirofiban) or control group (intravenous aspirin). Intravenous aspirin will be administered at a 500 mg single dose and tirofiban at a 500 µg bolus followed by a 200 µg/h infusion during first 22 h. All patients will be followed up to 3 months. Sample size estimated is 240 patients.

Outcomes:

The primary efficacy outcome is the proportion of patients with carotid in-stent thrombosis within the first 24 h after MT. The primary safety outcome is the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Secondary outcomes include functional independence defined as modified Rankin Scale 0–2, proportion of patients undergoing rescue therapy due to in-stent aggregation during MT and carotid reocclusion at 30 days.

Discussion:

ATILA-trial will be the first clinical trial regarding the best antiplatelet therapy to avoid in-stent thrombosis after MT in patients with TL.

Trial registration:

NCT0522596.

Introduction and rationale

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to tandem lesions (TL) is defined as severe stenosis or occlusion of cervical carotid artery associated with an ipsilateral intracranial occlusion. They represent approximately the 20% of AIS involving anterior circulation undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). ¹ Although TL had been associated with poor prognosis, recent studies showed similar rates of functional outcomes and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) compared to isolated intracranial occlusions.^2–4 Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) followed by MT is considered the standard of care in TL,^5,6 but there is no consensus regarding the best therapy of the extracranial lesion. The main dilemma appears when the extracranial lesion requires carotid stenting and concomitant antiplatelet therapy (AT) to avoid in-stent thrombosis. AT may increase the rate of sICH and should be avoided within the first 90 min after IVT. ⁵ Intravenous (IV) aspirin is the most recommended drug. Although tirofiban might be an option when aspirin is not available or ineffective (level of evidence IIb), the effect of tirofiban has not been well studied in the setting of AIS.

Study purpose

To test the hypothesis that low-dose protocol of IV-tirofiban is superior to IV-aspirin in avoiding in-stent thrombosis at 24 h in patients undergoing MT plus carotid stenting in the setting of AIS due to TL.

Methods and design

ATILA is a national-multicenter, prospective, phase IV, randomized, controlled (aspirin group as control), assessor-blinded clinical trial of IV-tirofiban versus IV-aspirin in AIS due to TL undergoing MT. The study flow chart is shown in Figure 1. The trial is a national study conducted in 10 stroke centers in Spain. The protocol is registered in http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT0522596) and approved by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (Eudra-CT: 2021-003874.30).

Figure 1.

ATILA trial flow chart. In every patient a carotid ultrasound will be performed at 24 h. In case of moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the stent, an angio-CT will be performed to confirmed these findings.

Patient population

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients with AIS due to TL undergoing MT in whom carotid stent placement is planned during the procedure.

2. The locations of intracranial occlusion that may be included are: terminal internal carotid artery (“carotid T”), segments M1 and M2 of the middle cerebral artery, segment A1 of the anterior cerebral artery, and posterior cerebral artery with fetal origin.

3. Carotid stenosis degree must be ⩾70%, carotid near-to-occlusion or complete carotid occlusion.

4. The etiology of internal carotid lesion is presumed to be atherosclerotic.

5. ASPECTS ⩾ 6.

6. Age ⩾18 years.

7. Written informed consent. Informed consent by phone call to relatives is allowed due to the emergency situation.

Exclusion criteria

1. Age <18 years.

2. ASPECTS < 6.

3. Radiological findings of bilateral stroke or stroke involving both anterior and posterior circulation.

4. Radiological findings suggesting internal carotid dissection or carotid web.

5. Carotid stenosis/occlusion due to carotid stent occlusion or previous endarterectomy.

6. Patients eligible for carotid puncture.

7. Patients under dual antiplatelet therapy at time of randomization.

8. Modified Rankin Scale >2.

9. History of allergy to iodinated contrast media.

10. Pregnancy.

11. Patients with atherosclerotic intracranial occlusion or arterial dissection.

12. History of allergy to aspirin or tirofiban.

13. History of platelet count <100.000 mm³ or history of induced thrombocytopenia by GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors or iv aspirin.

14. Concomitant therapy with direct oral anticoagulants 48 h prior to randomization OR with vitamin-K-antagonist with INR > 1.7.

15. History of peptic ulcer in the last 3 months prior to randomization.

16. Any medical condition who may lead to high bleeding risk in the opinion of the investigator.

Randomization and blinding

After informed consent by the patient or relatives is obtained, patients will be randomized to either control group (IV-aspirin) or experimental group (IV-tirofiban) (experimental or control in ratio 1:1). Patients can be randomized at any time within baseline neuroimage and before groin-puncture. A blinded clinician, certified in carotid ultrasound and in assessment of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), will undertake assessment of the primary outcomes by clinical visit.

Treatment

Mechanical thrombectomy

During the endovascular recanalization the first step is treating the intracranial occlusion and then carotid angioplasty, unless the cervical carotid stenosis or occlusion prevents the passage the devices for intracranial reperfusion, forcing cervical angioplasty prior to intracranial navigation. In both cases, a carotid stent is placed after intracranial reperfusion has occurred.

Study medication: Antiplatelet therapy

Every patient included will receive best medical treatment based on current CPG in AIS. ⁵ AT will be administered after groin-puncture and must be initiated before stenting. In the experimental group, 500 µg bolus of IV-tirofiban administered during 5 min, followed by a continuous infusion at a dose of 200 µg/h for 20 +/- 2 h will be used. In the control group, a single-dose 500 mg IV-aspirin (dose equivalent to 300 mg oral-aspirin) will be infused. Anticoagulants drugs, such as heparin, are not planned to be used during MT.

At day 1, a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) will be performed at 20 ± 2 h after MT. Once intracranial parenchymal hemorrhage (PH1 or PH2) is ruled out, patients enrolled in experimental group, as they did not receive the loading dose during MT procedure, will receive 300 mg oral aspirin (as loading dose) plus 300 mg clopidogrel and tirofiban infusion will be continued for four extra hours. They will receive both loading dose to assure the antiplatelet effect once the tirofiban infusion is stopped. Control group, as the 500 mg IV-aspirin is considered the loading dose, will receive 100 mg oral-aspirin plus 300 mg clopidogrel. The objective is to assure that patients are under dual antiplatelet therapy 20 ± 2 h after MT. From day 2, both groups will take 100 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel daily for 1 month and then clopidogrel will be discontinued (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Timeline of ATILA-trial.

Clinical and radiological assessments

Neurological severity will be measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline and at 24 h after stroke onset. The mRS will be assessed at baseline, discharge hospitalization and at 3 months.

An initial CT and CT-angiography with intracranial occlusion involving the terminal internal carotid artery, the M1 or M2 segments of middle cerebral artery, A1 and the P1 (if the posterior cerebral artery has fetal origin) is required for study eligibility. In addition, a follow-up brain CT will be performed at 20 ± 2 h to identify intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The primary outcome will be assessed by carotid ultrasound at 24–36 h after MT to identify in-stent thrombosis. In case of in-stent stenosis ⩾70% or occlusion identified on ultrasound doppler, it will be necessary to confirm with CT-angiography. In-stent stenosis ⩾70% by carotid ultrasound is defined as a peak systolic velocity (PSV) ⩾300 cm/s in the internal carotid artery. We defined in-stent occlusion as biphasic resistive and low velocity pattern in the site of occlusion and the absence of in-stent flow both in doppler and B-mode. ICH will be classified following the ECASS criteria. Symptomatic ICH (sICH) is defined as parenchymal hematoma type 2 within 36 h of treatment and neurological deterioration in the NIHSS scale ⩾4-points. ⁷

Primary outcomes

The primary efficacy outcome is the proportion of patients with carotid in-stent thrombosis within the first 24 h after MT. We defined in-stent thrombosis as: (1) in-stent stenosis ⩾70% or (2) in-stent occlusion. The primary safety outcome is the rate of sICH.

Secondary outcomes

Secondary outcomes are: (1) proportion of patients undergoing rescue therapy due to in-stent platelet aggregation during MT; (2) rate of good functional outcomes at 90 days, defined as mRS ⩽ 2; and (3) severe carotid reocclusion/restenosis at 30 days of randomization.

Data monitoring

Study monitoring to assure quality and conduct according to good clinical practice will be coordinated by the Clinical Investigation and Clinical Trials Unit from University Hospital Virgen del Rocio with a validated electronic data capture system. On-site or remote monitoring including source document verification will be conducted as necessary. Study personnel at each enrolling center are trained on the antiplatelet protocol, International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Good Clinical Practices, and investigator responsibilities.

Sample size calculation

In-stent thrombosis rates of 22% in the control arm and 10% in the experimental arm were estimated based on our pilot study. ⁴ An estimated total sample size of 240 patients (with 120 patients in each arm) should provide an 80% power to detect superiority in proportions of patients without in-stent thrombosis in the experimental group compared to the control group. Ten centers will participate, recruiting according to the volume of MT performed.

Statistical analyses

The analysis of the primary efficacy outcome includes both an intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Superiority of tirofiban is established if the lower end of the above 95% confidence interval for the proportion of patients without in-stent thrombosis is greater than zero. The analysis of safety outcomes includes the proportion of patients with sICH and mortality and they will be compared between the tirofiban and the aspirin groups using binary logistic regression. Secondary outcomes will be carried out according to standard statistical principles for comparisons of parametric and non-parametric distribution, as appropriate. Subgroup analysis of patients will be performed based on age, sex, baseline ASPECTS, NIHSS score and IVT treatment. An interim analysis is not planned.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from University Hospital Virgen Macarena Ethical Committee (03/2022).

Study organization and funding

The sponsor of the trial is Fundación Pública Andaluza para la Gestión en Investigación en Salud de Sevilla (FISEVI). This project was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project PI21/01322 and co-funded by the European Union. The Spanish Clinical Research Network (SCReN-Code:21.033) also contributed to the study. The ITRIBiS project (Improving Translational Research Potential at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville) has the registration number REGPOT-2013-1. M. Medina-Rodríguez was granted a Rio Hortega contract (CM21/00096). The project was included in the Cooperative Cerebrovascular Disease Research Network (INVICTUS) (RD16/0019/0015).

Discussion

Although stent placement is the best choice in terms of efficacy when performing a carotid angioplasty, there is not enough evidence to establish if carotid artery stenting is strictly recommended in the setting of an AIS due to TL. One of the main reasons for controversy is that the accurate AT strategy is yet to be elucidated. Carotid stenting in the setting of AIS has shown better recanalization rates^8–10 and patients had better functional outcomes when treated with IVT plus AT and stenting compared to those undergoing only carotid angioplasty. Improving cerebral blood flow and lower rates of carotid reocclusion are some of the benefits provided by stent placement. ¹¹ However, the use of AT is needed to avoid early in-stent thrombosis, but it may increase the rate of sICH. The optimal balance within both events related to AT is the main concern to be solved in patients with TL.

Antithrombotic drugs during MT procedure, such as heparin alone, aspirin alone or their combination, have been previously associated with an increased risk of sICH without clinical benefits in a recent randomized clinical trial. Nevertheless, patients enrolled might not be comparable to our population study group because only 15.7% of patients had an extracranial internal carotid occlusion. ¹²

On the other hand, without a suitable AT in-stent thrombosis may arise up to 22% of patients ¹¹ and it is closely related to poor functional outcomes, higher rates of sICH and a poor neurological recovery.^11,13,14 The TITAN study demonstrated that the in-stent thrombosis is an independent predictor of sICH ¹³ and that both, single and dual AT, are associated with lower rates of intracranial hemorrhages. It may suggest that a good recanalization, including the maintenance of carotid artery patency, may prevent intracranial hemorrhages independently from IVT and AT. Although these data are based in retrospective studies, an optimal AT approach may allow stent placement, avoiding in-stent thrombosis and therefore, decreasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhages.

Options of AT may vary from single AT with aspirin, clopidogrel or intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor to a combination of them. Oral clopidogrel is difficult to administer during AIS. The most used AT is aspirin, with an intravenous administration available, although drug resistance rates may reach up to 30% of patients^15,16 and its administration is not recommended within first 90 min from IVT. ¹⁷ Tirofiban, an intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, has an effect that do not depend on genetic polymorphisms and drug resistance is not described. Moreover, 90% platelet inhibition has been demonstrated ex-vivo in just 5 min ¹⁸ and has been used in some centers to prevent local platelet aggregation and early reocclusion. ¹⁹ Likewise, there is already preliminary evidence of the possible clinical benefit of the use of tirofiban, even when combined with rtPA, without an increase of intracranial hemorrhage or mortality. ²⁰ In the view of these data, single AT with IV-tirofiban seems to be a reasonable option for patients with AIS due to TL.

Conclusions

This is the first trial that will explore the efficacy and safety of IV-tirofiban specifically in patients with AIS due to TL. As TL may represent up to 20% of AIS, an appropriate antiplatelet management is needed to balance the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and in-stent thrombosis. If positive, this therapeutic approach will significantly improve reperfusion rates in patients with tandem lesions and will confer a long-lasting carotid patency.