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NCT Number: NCT05983757

Combined Thrombectomy for Distal MediUm Vessel Occlusion StroKe

A phase III, randomized, multi-center, investigational, open label clinical trial that will examine whether treatment with endovascular thrombectomy is superior to standard medical therapy alone in patients who suffer a Distal Medium Vessel Occlusion Ischemic Stroke within 12 hours from time last seen well

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Key information

Conditions

Ischemic Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Ischemia Nervous System Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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About this study

DUSK is a Phase-3, prospective, multicenter, investigational, randomized, controlled, open-label study with blinded endpoint evaluation (PROBE design) and an adaptive design with population enrichment. The randomization employs a 1:1 ratio of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) versus standard medical management (SMM) in patients who suffer a distal medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) stroke within 12 hours from time last seen well (TLSW) and have evidence of salvageable brain tissue on perfusion imaging. Randomization will be done under a minimization process using age (≤67 vs. >67 years), baseline NIHSS (≤12 vs. >12), use of IV thrombolysis (none vs. within 120 minutes from randomization vs. > 120 minutes from randomization), site of occlusion (M2 vs. M3 vs. ACA vs. PCA), baseline infarct volume (≤15mL vs. >15-30mL vs. >30-50mL), perfusion mismatch volume (≤15mL vs. >15-30mL vs. >30-50mL), therapeutic window (0-4.5 vs. 4.5-8 or >9-12 hours after TLKW), and participating site. The candidate enriched populations that the trial considers are based on use of intravenous thrombolysis (none vs. within 120 minutes from randomization vs. > 120 minutes from randomization), TLKW to randomization (0-6 vs. 6-12 hours) and mismatch volumes as measured using absolute mismatch (defined as Tmax>6 sec - DWI lesion on MRI or Tmax>6 sec -rCBF<30% lesion on CTP) (>40 cc vs. >30cc vs. >20cc vs. >10cc). The primary endpoint will be a categorical shift across all levels on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90-days post-randomization. The hypothesis is that EVT will lead to an improved clinical outcome at 90 days. Interim analysis will be performed after the primary endpoint is available for a total of 386 randomized patients.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥18 years (no upper age limit)
  • Acute ischemic stroke where patient is ineligible for or has failed* IV thrombolytic treatment and is ineligible for endovascular treatment under best guideline-based care due to absence of proximal arterial occlusion (e.g. intracranial ICA, MCA-M1 and co-dominant or dominant M2** segments, and vertebrobasilar arteries).***
  • IV thrombolytic treatment failure is defined by persistent disabling neurological deficits beyond 60 minutes of completion of thrombolytic infusion in the presence of imaging findings consistent with DMVO.

**Dominant M2 segment is defined is a division supplying >50% of the MCA territory vs co-dominant supplying 50% of the MCA territory vs non-dominant supplying <50% of the MCA territory.

***No procedures or tests required by the protocol will delay fastest possible delivery of thrombolytic therapy to potentially eligible subjects.

  • Evidence of a primary (e.g. not secondary to EVT of proximal vessel occlusion) distal medium vascular occlusion defined as occlusion of the non-dominant M2 segment or M3 segment of the MCA, the ACA (A1, A2, or A3 segments), or the PCA (P1, P2 or P3 segments) resulting in significant clinical deficits and expected to be treatable by endovascular thrombectomy. Regardless of vessel anatomic location, all vessel diameters should be within 1.5mm -2.5mm. (refer to the device labeling for recommended vessel diameters for each device model.)*
  • No significant pre-stroke functional disability (mRS ≤2)
  • Evidence of a disabling stroke defined as follows:
  • Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >5 at the time of randomization.
  • NIHSS 3-5 with disabling deficit including significant aphasia, neglect, hemianopsia, or hemiparesis/ loss of hand or leg function as established by the treating team in context of the patient's life.
  • The presence of a Target Mismatch defined as:
  • Ischemic Core < 50cc (defined on NCCT/CTP* or DWI-MRI)

*Visual or automatedly detected hypodensity on NCCT should be used to exclude or include patients if the investigator believes that their assessment is more reliable than the CTP volume in any particular case.

  • Mismatch Volume (TMax >6sec lesion - Core volume lesion) >10cc
  • Mismatch Ratio >1.4
  • Patient treatable within 12 hours of symptom onset. Symptoms onset is defined as the point in time the patient was last seen well (at baseline). Treatment start is defined as the time of arterial puncture.
  • Informed consent obtained from patient or acceptable patient surrogate

Exclusion criteria

  • Any sign of intracranial hemorrhage on baseline CT/MR (SDH/SAH/ICH).
  • Rapidly improving symptoms, particularly if in the judgment of the managing clinician that the improvement is likely to result in the patient having no residual disabling deficits and an NIHSS score of <5 at randomization.
  • Significant ischemic changes in a territory other than the occluded site that in the opinion of the investigator could reduce the benefit of endovascular treatment.
  • Contra indication to imaging with MR or CT with contrast agents.
  • Infarct core >1/3 occluded territory (MCA, ACA, or PCA) qualitatively or >50 mL quantitatively (determined by NCCT, CTP or DWI).
  • Any terminal illness such that patient would not be expected to survive more than 1 year.
  • Recent past history or clinical presentation of ICH, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), arterio-venous (AV) malformation, aneurysm, or cerebral neoplasm other than meningioma.
  • Any imaging findings suggestive of futile recanalization in the judgment of the local investigator.
  • Premorbid disability (mRS ≥3).
  • Inability to initiate endovascular treatment within 12 hours of last seen well.
  • Seizures at stroke onset if it precludes obtaining an accurate baseline NIHSS.
  • Baseline blood glucose of <50 mg/dL (2.78 mmol) or >400 mg/dL (22.20 mmol).
  • Known history of hereditary or acquired hemorrhagic diathesis and/or platelet count <100,000/uL.
  • Known renal failure as defined as serum creatinine levels > 3.0 mg/dL.
  • Presumed septic embolus or suspicion of bacterial endocarditis.
  • Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, precludes an endovascular procedure or poses a significant hazard to the subject if an endovascular procedure was performed.
  • History of drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.
  • Subjects with occlusions in multiple vascular territories (e.g., bilateral or multi-territorial anterior circulation, or anterior/posterior circulation)
  • Subject participating in a study involving an investigational drug or device that would impact this study
  • Known pregnancy
  • Prisoner or incarceration
  • Known acute symptomatic COVID-19 infection

Treatment and study plan

Experimental: endovascular thrombectomy in patients who suffer a distal medium vessel occlusion

Device

The AXS Catalyst Distal Access Catheter is indicated for use in facilitating the insertion and guidance of appropriately sized interventional devices into a selected blood vessel in the peripheral and neurovascular systems, and is also indicated for use as a conduit for retrieval devices.

The AXS Vecta Intermediate Catheter, as part of the AXS Vecta Aspiration System, is indicated in the revascularization of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients who are ineligible for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) or who failed IV t-PA therapy are candidates for treatment.

The Trevo® Retriever is indicated for use to restore blood flow in the neurovasculature by removing thrombus for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke to reduce disability in patients with a persistent, proximal anterior circulation, large vessel occlusion, and smaller core infarcts who have first received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA).

Other names: AXS Vecta 46, AXS CAT 5, NXT ProVue Retriever

Standard medical management

Other

All subjects should receive the best standard medical therapy based on current AHA guidelines. Subjects randomized to standard medical management (SMM) will receive standard medical therapy only based on the guidelines. All subjects are expected to be admitted to hospital as part of routine best guideline-based care and treated on a stroke unit or neurointensive care unit or equivalent.

Other names: Active Comparator

Primary outcomes

  1. Shift in distribution of all levels of the 90-day modified Rankin Scale with levels 5-6 combined (mRS; 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-6) as assessed by structured assessment

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Modified Rankin Scale measurement (mRS): 0=no symptoms, 1= no significant disablity despite symptoms, able to carry out all usual duties. 2= slight disability, unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance. 3=moderate disability, requiring some help, able to walk without assistance. 4=moderatly severe disability, unable to walk and attend to bodily needs without assistance. 5=severe disability, bedridden, incontinent and requiring total nursing care. 6=dead

Secondary outcomes

  1. Shift in distribution of the 90-day mRS (0;1;2;3;4;5;6) as assessed by structured assessment

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Modified Rankin Scale measurement (mRS)0=no symptoms, 1= no significant disablity despite symptoms, able to carry out all usual duties. 2= slight disability, unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance. 3=moderate disability, requiring some help, able to walk without assistance. 4=moderatly severe disability, unable to walk and attend to bodily needs without assistance. 5=severe disability, bedridden, incontinent and requiring total nursing care. 6=dead

  2. Rates of Independent Outcome defined as mRS ≤2 and/ or equal to Baseline mRS at 90 days

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Independant outcome: 0=no symptoms, 1= no significant disablity despite symptoms, able to carry out all usual duties. 2= slight disability, unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance. 3=moderate disability, requiring some help, able to walk without assistance. 4=moderatly severe disability, unable to walk and attend to bodily needs without assistance. 5=severe disability, bedridden, incontinent and requiring total nursing care. 6=dead

  3. Rates of Excellent Outcome defined as mRS ≤1 and/ or equal to Baseline mRS at 90 days

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Excellent outcome: 0=no symptoms, 1= no significant disablity despite symptoms, able to carry out all usual duties. 2= slight disability, unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance. 3=moderate disability, requiring some help, able to walk without assistance. 4=moderatly severe disability, unable to walk and attend to bodily needs without assistance. 5=severe disability, bedridden, incontinent and requiring total nursing care. 6=dead.

  4. Rates of Good Functional Outcomes adjusted for the baseline mRS and stroke severity (NIHSS) according to the modified Rankin Scale scores at 90 days as following:

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    NIHSS and mRS scores MRS: 0=no symptoms, 1= no significant disablity despite symptoms, able to carry out all usual duties. 2= slight disability, unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance. 3=moderate disability, requiring some help, able to walk without assistance. 4=moderatly severe disability, unable to walk and attend to bodily needs without assistance. 5=severe disability, bedridden, incontinent and requiring total nursing care. 6=dead NIHSS: 0=no stroke symptoms, 1-4=minor stroke, 5-15 moderate stroke, 16-20 moderate to sever stroke, 21-42- severe stroke.

    • If NIHSS <10 and Baseline mRS 0 or 1: 90-day mRS ≤1
    • If NIHSS <10 and Baseline mRS 2: 90-day mRS ≤2
    • If NIHSS ≥10 and Baseline mRS 0 or 1: 90-day mRS ≤2
    • If NIHSS ≥10 and Baseline mRS 2: 90-day mRS ≤3

  5. EVT arm only: Final reperfusion grades according to the extended Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) scale and the rates of First Pass Effect (eTICI ≥2c) and Modified First Pass Effect (eTICI ≥2b50)

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Reprofusion grades :TICI scores:grade 0: no perfusion noted (0% reperfusion) grade 1: reduction in thrombus but without any resultant filling of distal arterial branches grade 2 grade 2a: reperfusion of 1-49% of the territory grade 2b50: reperfusion of 50-66% of the territory grade 2b67: reperfusion of 67-89% of the territory grade 2c: extensive reperfusion of 90-99% of the territory grade 3: complete or full reperfusion (100% reperfusion).

  6. EVT arm only: Final reperfusion grades according to the rates of First Pass Effect (eTICI ≥2c)

    Time frame: 90-Day follow up

    Reprofusion grades :TICI scores:grade 0: no perfusion noted (0% reperfusion) grade 1: reduction in thrombus but without any resultant filling of distal arterial branches grade 2 grade 2a: reperfusion of 1-49% of the territory grade 2b50: reperfusion of 50-66% of the territory grade 2b67: reperfusion of 67-89% of the territory grade 2c: extensive reperfusion of 90-99% of the territory grade 3: complete or full reperfusion (100% reperfusion).

  7. EVT arm only: Final reperfusion grades according to the Modified First Pass Effect (eTICI ≥2b50)

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Reprofusion grades :TICI scores:grade 0: no perfusion noted (0% reperfusion) grade 1: reduction in thrombus but without any resultant filling of distal arterial branches grade 2 grade 2a: reperfusion of 1-49% of the territory grade 2b50: reperfusion of 50-66% of the territory grade 2b67: reperfusion of 67-89% of the territory grade 2c: extensive reperfusion of 90-99% of the territory grade 3: complete or full reperfusion (100% reperfusion).

  8. Mean score for disability on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale (UW-mRS) at 90 days

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    utility weighted mRS 0=no symptoms, 1= no significant disablity despite symptoms, able to carry out all usual duties. 2= slight disability, unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance. 3=moderate disability, requiring some help, able to walk without assistance. 4=moderatly severe disability, unable to walk and attend to bodily needs without assistance. 5=severe disability, bedridden, incontinent and requiring total nursing care. 6=dead

  9. Final infarct volume (FIV) (FIV - baseline infarct on CTP or DWI) evaluated on CT or MRI at 24 hours (-2/+12 hours)

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2hours /+12 hours)

    Infarct volume at 24 hours will be measured on CT or MRI.

  10. Final infarct growth (FIV - baseline infarct on CTP or DWI)

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2 hours/+12 hours)

    Infarct volume at 24 hours will be measured on CT or MRI, growth of infarct from baseline to 24 hours will be captured.

  11. Final infarct volume (FIV) and infarct growth (FIV - baseline infarct on CTP or DWI) evaluated on CT or MRI at 3-5 days (if available)

    Time frame: 3-5 days

    Infarct volume at 3-5 days will be measured on CT or MRI.

  12. Final infarct growth (FIV - baseline infarct on CTP or DWI) evaluated on CT or MRI at 3-5 days (if available)

    Time frame: 3 to 5 days

    Infarct volume at 3-5 days will be measured on CT or MRI, growth of infarct will be compared to baseline.

  13. Clinical improvement at 24 hours calculated as the difference between 24-hour and baseline NIHSS score

    Time frame: 24 hours

    NIHSS score at 24hours :NIHSS: 0=no stroke symptoms, 1-4=minor stroke, 5-15 moderate stroke, 16-20 moderate to sever stroke, 21-42- severe stroke.

  14. Cost effectiveness analysis of endovascular thrombectomy vs standard medical therapy

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Assessment of costs from the time of randomization to the 90 day follow up. This includes Costs of hospitalization, institutional living and outpatient care will be assessed and compared for each arm.

  15. Brain tissue reperfusion evaluated by CT or MRI perfusion at 24 hours in both treatment groups (if available)

    Time frame: 24 hours

    CT or MRI results at 24 hours

  16. Vessel patency evaluated by CTA or MRA perfusion at 24 hours in both treatment groups (if available)

    Time frame: 24 hours

    CTA or MRA perfusion results at 24 hours

  17. Patient reported outcomes (EQ-5D)

    Time frame: 90-day follow-up

    Questionnaires assessed by blinded assessor at 90 days. EQ-5D measures mobility, self care, usual activities, pain and anxiety, overall heath is measured on a scale of 0 (worst health state) to 100 best health state.

  18. Patient reported outcomes (PROMIS Global-10)

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Questionnaires assessed by blinded assessor at 90 days. Promise Global Health measures current health status on a scale of 1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=excellent. The scale is from 1-5 with 1 being the poorest health outcome and 5 the best.

  19. Patient reported outcomes (PROMIS Fatigue)

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Questionnaires assessed by blinded assessor at 90 days. Promise Fatigue will measure degree of fatigue on a scale of 1=not at all, 2=a little bit, 3=somewhat, 4= quite a bit, 5=very much. The scale is from 1-5 with 1 being the least fatigued and 5 the greatest feeling of fatigue.

  20. Patient reported outcomes ( IADL)

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Questionnaires assessed by blinded assessor at 90 days. IADL measures the ability to use a telephone, shop prepare food, do housekeeping, laundry, mode of transportation, medications and handle finances. The subject will answer the questions and answer as for how they are able to accomplish their ADLs.

  21. Patient reported outcomes ( MoCa)

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Questionnaires assessed by blinded assessor at 90 days. MoCa measures the patient's ability to draw(visuospatial), name items, memory, attention, language, and abstraction. There are several questions that the subject will answer for each category.

  22. All cause mortality

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    All-cause mortality within 90 days

  23. Mortality due to stroke

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Mortality within 90 days due to index stroke

  24. Intracranial hemorrhage

    Time frame: 90 day follow up

    Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) defined as per the Heidelberg Classification: new intracranial hemorrhage detected by brain imaging associated with any of the item below:

    • ≥4 points total NIHSS at the time of diagnosis compared to immediately before worsening.
    • ≥2 point in one NIHSS category.
    • Absence of alternative explanation for deterioration. This will be the primary definition for SICH as per the recommendation of both the FDA and DSMB.
    • Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) defined as per the modified SITS-MOST definition.

  25. Intracranial hemorrhage

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2 hours /+12 hours)

    The incidence of any intracranial hemorrhage measured at 24 (-2/+12) hours as graded by the central core-lab using the Heidelberg classification criteria.

  26. Procedure-related vessel perforation.

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2 hours /+12 hours)

    Perforation of the artery related to the procedure.

  27. Procedure-related vessel dissection

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2 hours/+12 hours)

    Dissection of an artery related to the procedure.

  28. Embolization to a new territory during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) procedure

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2 hours/+12hours)

    New emboli to a different area of the brain during the MR procedure.

  29. Significant extracranial hemorrhage (e.g., access site, retroperitoneal hematoma) requiring blood transfusion and/or surgical intervention.

    Time frame: 24 hours (-2 hours/+12 hours)

    Hemorrhage in other areas besides the brain such as the arterial access site or retroperitoneum.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Emma Gyurisin, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

4126779128

Mohamed Doheim, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

1-516-854-0487

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Raul Nogueira

Other

Collaborators

  • Brainstorme Imaging Core Lab Inc
  • Stryker Neurovascular

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase III, Randomized, Multicenter, Investigational, Open Label Clinical Trial That Will Examine Whether Treatment With Endovascular Thrombectomy is Superior to Standard Medical Therapy Alone in Patients Who Suffer a Distal Medium Vessel Occlusion Ischemic Strokes.

Acronym: DUSK

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 9, 2023
Registry last updated
Feb 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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