Safety Study of External Counterpulsation as a Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

A stroke is usually caused by a blockage of one of the arteries that carries blood to the brain. Sometimes with a stroke, there may be a small amount of blood flow that manages to get through or around the blockage, and it may be possible that the amount of damage from a stroke may be reduced by increasing this blood flow. External counterpulsation (ECP) is a procedure in which a machine uses electrical signals from the heart that are detectable on the surface of the body in order to time the inflation of cuffs (similar to a blood pressure cuff) that are wrapped around a patient's legs (calves, thighs and buttocks). Using a reading of the electrical activity from the patient's heart (an electrocardiogram, or ECG, monitor), the machine inflates the cuffs with air at just the right time during each heart beat, during diastole, in order to change the blood pressure in a way that has been shown to increase blood flow to the kidneys, skin, eyes, heart, and brain.

In this study, patients presenting within the first 48 hours of an acute ischemic stroke (i.e., a blockage of one of the arteries supplying a part of the brain) will be randomly assigned to either of (1) a 1-hour treatment of external counterpulsation (ECP) applied at a pressure that is typically therapeutic, or (2) a 1-hour treatment of ECP at a minimal pressure in a control group. ECP-induced changes in brain artery flow velocity will be assessed with an ultrasound prior to and then during ECP in each group, and an optimal pressure that results in an augmentation of flow velocity will be determined. A neurological exam will be performed prior to, during, and after ECP in each group, in order to assess any changes in stroke symptoms related to ECP. Patients will be followed to 30 days. The main goal of this trial is to evaluate if ECP is safe and feasible to use as a treatment for stroke. In addition, the trial will enable an assessment of whether or not ECP increases blood flow to the brain or affects the neurological symptoms of a patient with a stroke.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults between the ages of 18 and 85, inclusive
• Symptoms consistent with acute ischemic stroke, with a measurable neurological deficit at presentation
• Ability to initiate external counterpulsation within 48 hours of stroke onset
• No evidence of hemorrhage on CT scan or MRI
• MCA distribution stroke: a total or partial anterior circulation infarct (TACI or PACI by Oxfordshire criteria) consistent with MCA distribution ischemia, or a lacunar stroke felt by the investigator to possibly involve a deep perforating branch in the MCA territory (LACI by Oxfordshire criteria)

Exclusion criteria

• Rapidly resolving stroke symptoms consistent with a transient ischemic attack
• Severe stroke defined as an NIHSS > 22
• Intracranial hemorrhage (SAH, EDH, SDH, IPH, hemorrhagic conversion) on CT scan
• Brain tumor or brain abscess on CT scan or MRI
• Presentation consistent with subarachnoid hemorrhage (such as a sudden, severe thunderclap headache, or an associated third nerve palsy)
• History of cerebral aneurysm, AVM, or hemorrhagic stroke
• Either treatment or planned treatment of current stroke with standard thrombolytic therapy (intravenous or intra-arterial) or neurothrombectomy
• History of lower limb amputation above the ankle
• History of untreated aortic dissection
• History or suspicion of thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Known significant anomaly of the heart, aorta, or great vessels that would be complicated by elevated diastolic pressures.
• BP > 180/100 that remains so after minimal treatment (such as one or two doses of an antihypertensive agent, or as determined by the investigator)
• History of non-trivial aortic regurgitation, or any symptomatic valvular heart disease determined by the investigator to be at risk of worsening on ECP
• Significant symptomatic congestive heart failure (orthopnea, CHF-related dyspnea, or rales and jugular venous distention on exam) or a left ventricular ejection fraction known to be <30%
• Diagnosis of significant lower extremity peripheral vascular occlusive disease (PVOD), or symptomatic PVOD as determined by the investigator (especially symptoms of claudication)
• Phlebitis, stasis ulcer, severe varicosities
• Diagnosis of DVT within the past month, or current symptoms strongly suggestive of new DVT, such as asymmetric calf or leg swelling, discomfort, or erythema (to be evaluated by screening duplex)
• Pacemaker or automated implanted defibrillator (AICD)
• A cardiac dysrhythmia (such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, or frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or premature atrial contractions (PACs) as determined by the investigator) that would interfere with ECP triggering
• Pregnancy (as determined by a urine pregnancy test in females of child-bearing age)
• Known coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia with platelet count < 100,000, or taking warfarin with an INR > 2.0.
• History positive for chronic low back pain, radiculopathy suggestive of herniated lumbar disc, or related surgery
• Known collagen vascular disease
• Obesity to a degree (as determined by the investigator) that would prevent proper placement and/or activation of counterpulsation cuffs
• Any psychological, social, or legal condition that would interfere with the ability of the patient or his or her surrogate to give Informed Consent and/or his or her capacity to comply with all study requirements, including the necessary time commitment
• An inadequate temporal window for TCD insonation.
• Currently involved or have been involved in a clinical trial within the last 30 days.