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NCT Number: NCT07302646

Optimizing Reduced-Flow, Low-Volume Contrast Protocols for Cerebral Angiography in Unruptured Aneurysms

Over the past two decades, interventional neuroradiology (INR) has seen significant advances in terms of safety and radiation protection. However, the management of iodinated contrast media (ICM) administered to the patients remains problematic. There is currently no reference for applying the ALADA (As Low As Diagnostically Acceptable) principle to ICM. In this context, optimising injection parameters seems essential to limit patient risks while maintaining sufficient diagnostic quality. To achieve this, it is necessary to work on a standardised procedure: the most frequently performed being diagnostic cerebral angiography for initial assessment or follow-up of intracranial aneurysms (IA). The aim of this project is to demonstrate that the use of injection protocols with reduced flow rates and volumes would enable non-inferior results compared to the empirical protocol (used in our department) in terms of image quality for the assessment of ICA, while improving examination comfort for patients.

A Randomised controlled non-inferiority study involving a four-arm factorial design to evaluate the impact of different ICM injection strategies in diagnostic cerebral angiography. Four groups will be compared: three experimental groups evaluating reductions in injection volumes and/or flow rates, and a control group following the standard protocol currently used in Strasbourg University Hospitals. Each subject will be randomly assigned to a group, and all images will be acquired using the same protocol. By following the standard care pathway and implementing safety procedures to ensure diagnostic quality, patients will not undergo any changes to their usual care and will not run any increased risk of diagnostic error.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Imagerie Interventionnelle Vasculaire Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67 091 STRASBOURG Cedex

Strasbourg, France

Location contact

Nicolas DEHLINGER

CONTACT

[email protected]

06 43 33 15 44

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Adult participant at the time of consent (age between 18 and 80 years old);

Scheduled diagnostic cerebral angiography as part of routine care:

  • Initial assessment of the IA (suspected or detected in non-invasive imaging);
  • Follow-up of one or more IAs (treated or untreated);
  • Conscious and oriented participant, able to undergo the procedure under simple local anaesthesia;
  • Participant able to understand the objectives of the research and provide a dated, signed informed consent form;
  • Participant able to answer oral or written questions (French-speaking or understanding French);
  • For women of childbearing potential: negative serum β-HCG test at the inclusion visit;
  • Participant covered by a social security health insurance plan.

Exclusion criteria

  • Emergency cerebral angiography;
  • Participants with other neurovascular conditions (AVM, AVF, etc.) in addition to an IA;
  • Participants with any contraindication to the use of ICM;
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
  • Participants whose physical or psychological condition requires sedation or general anaesthesia for the procedure;
  • Participants with communication or cognitive disorders; Incapable participants (subject to legal protection measures: curatorship, guardianship, judicial protection, future protection mandate, family authorization).

Treatment and study plan

Standard (Reference)

Radiation

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria.

Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol.

Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS).

Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration.

Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

Reduced volume - standard flow rate

Radiation

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria.

Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol.

Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS).

Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration.

Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

Standard volume - Reduced flow rate

Radiation

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria.

Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol.

Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS).

Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration.

Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

Reduced volume and flow rate

Radiation

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria.

Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol.

Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS).

Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration.

Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

Primary outcomes

  1. Ratio of exploitable 2D and 3D images

    Time frame: 1 day

    Ratio of exploitable 2D and 3D images, assessed by radiographers, obtained with each injection protocol (reduced flow rates/standard volumes; reduced volumes/standard flow rates; reduced flow rates and volumes), compared to the standard/empirical protocol

Study contacts

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

Nicolas DEHLINGER

CONTACT

[email protected]

06 43 33 15 44

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Strasbourg, France

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Iodinated Contrast Media Injection Protocols With Reduced Flow Rates and Volumes on Image Quality in Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography for the Evaluation of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Towards a Standardization of Practices

Acronym: OPIAC

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2028
First posted
Dec 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 24, 2025

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.