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NCT Number: NCT07552610

Sivelestat Sodium as an Adjunct to Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Anterior Circulation Large-Vessel Occlusion

Stroke remains a major global health burden, with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) accounting for more than 65% of all cases. Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has been established as a standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke; however, "futile recanalization" remains common, with many patients failing to achieve favorable functional outcomes despite successful vessel reperfusion. Increasing evidence indicates that neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play important roles in post-reperfusion inflammation, thrombosis, and microcirculatory dysfunction, which may contribute to thrombolysis resistance and poor prognosis. Neutrophil elastase (NE), a key component associated with NETs, may further aggravate vascular injury and thrombus formation.

Sivelestat Sodium is a selective NE inhibitor that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and organ-protective effects in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and in experimental models of cerebral ischemia. It may help preserve blood-brain barrier integrity, reduce brain edema, and improve neurological outcomes. Based on these findings, this study is designed as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sivelestat sodium as an adjunct to EVT in patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusive stroke within 24 hours of onset. The results of this study are expected to provide further clinical evidence for anti-inflammatory adjunctive treatment strategies aimed at reducing futile recanalization and improving functional outcomes in AIS.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Ischemic Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Ischemic Stroke Large Vessel Occlusion Nervous System Diseases Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation Stroke Thrombectomy Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gaomi People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 1.Symptoms and signs consistent with focal ischemia in the anterior circulation;
  • 2.Large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation (internal carotid artery, M1/M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery) confirmed by CTA/MRA/DSA;
  • 3.Undergoing mechanical thrombectomy;
  • 4.Age between 18-80 years, both male and female;
  • 5.Pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤1;
  • 6.Time from symptom onset to thrombectomy ≤24 hours, including wake-up stroke or unwitnessed stroke; symptom onset is defined as the "last known well" (LKW);
  • 7.National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥6 at admission;
  • 8.ASPECTS ≥3 for anterior circulation occlusion;
  • 9.Written informed consent provided by the patient or their legal representative.

Exclusion criteria

  • 1．Simultaneous acute occlusion of both the anterior and posterior circulation, or bilateral acute large-vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation;
  • 2．Failure to obtain a baseline NIHSS score before sedation or intubation by a neurologist or emergency physician;
  • 3．Seizure at stroke onset that precludes assessment of the baseline NIHSS score;
  • 4．Bilateral dilated pupils;
  • 5．Known allergy to sivelestat sodium or any of its excipients;
  • 6．Severe allergy or absolute contraindication to iodinated contrast agents;
  • 7．Systolic blood pressure >185 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >110 mmHg that cannot be controlled with antihypertensive therapy;
  • 8．Blood glucose <50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) or >400 mg/dL (22.2 mmol/L);
  • 9．Platelet count <50 * 10⁹/L;
  • 10．Hereditary or acquired bleeding tendency, coagulation factor deficiency, current oral anticoagulant use with INR >1.7, or oral anticoagulant treatment within the previous 48 hours;
  • 11．Severe renal failure, defined as serum creatinine >3.0 mg/dL (265.2 μmol/L), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 mL/min, or requirement for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis;
  • 12．Inability to complete the 90-day follow-up (e.g., no fixed residence or overseas patients);
  • 13．Suspected vasculitis or septic embolism;
  • 14．Suspected aortic dissection;
  • 15．Evidence of intracranial tumor (except small meningioma), acute intracranial hemorrhage, tumor, or arteriovenous malformation;
  • 16．Significant mass effect with midline shift;
  • 17．Evidence of internal carotid artery dissection causing flow limitation;
  • 18．Neurological disease or psychiatric disorder that may interfere with evaluation of the patient's condition;
  • 19．Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
  • 20．Confirmed rheumatic or autoimmune disease with long-term use of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids;
  • 21．Current treatment with chemotherapy or other immunomodulatory agents (e.g., recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, Xuebijing, or ulinastatin);
  • 22．Participation in another clinical trial that may interfere with the results of this study;
  • 23．Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the patient unsuitable for participation or may pose a significant risk to the patient.

Treatment and study plan

Sivelestat sodium

Drug

Sivelestat sodium is a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor administered as an adjunctive treatment to endovascular thrombectomy in this study. Treatment will be initiated within 2 hours after randomization and continued once daily until Day 7 after randomization or hospital discharge, whichever occurs first. The daily dose is 4.8 mg/kg, administered by continuous intravenous infusion using a microinfusion pump or by intravenous drip.

Placebo

Drug

The placebo does not contain sivelestat sodium and consists of the same excipients as the investigational product without the active ingredient. It will be administered in the same manner, timing, and schedule as sivelestat sodium, beginning within 2 hours after randomization and continuing once daily until Day 7 after randomization or hospital discharge, whichever occurs first, in order to maintain blinding.

Endovascular Thrombectomy

Procedure

Endovascular thrombectomy will be performed according to standard clinical practice using NMPA-approved thrombectomy devices. First-line techniques may include aspiration thrombectomy, stent retriever thrombectomy, or a combined approach, with rescue procedures permitted when necessary at the investigator's discretion.

Primary outcomes

  1. Rate of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    The mRS score range from 0 (no disability) to 6 (death)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Rate of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-1

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    The mRS score range from 0 (no disability) to 6 (death)

  2. Rate of mRS score of 0-3

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    The mRS score range from 0 (no disability) to 6 (death)

  3. Proportional distribution of modified Rankin Score

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    The mRS score range from 0 (no disability) to 6 (death)

  4. Improvement of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score

    Time frame: 48 hours (±12 hours) after randomization

    The NIHSS score range from 0 (no deficit) to 42 (maximum deficit)

  5. Rate of early neurological improvement

    Time frame: 48 hours (±12 hours) after randomization

    Early neurological improvement, defined as an NIHSS score of 0-1 at 48 hours or a reduction of ≥4 points from baseline.

  6. Improvement of the NIHSS score

    Time frame: 7 days (±1 days) after randomization or discharge

    The NIHSS score range from 0 (no deficit) to 42 (maximum deficit)

  7. EQ-5D-5L

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    The EQ-5D 5-Levels (EQ-5D-5L) range from 5 (no problems) to 25 (extreme problems), which deceased patients have a utility of 0.

  8. Barthel Index

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    The Barthel Index range from 0 (severe disability) to 100 (no disability)

  9. Rate of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)

    Time frame: Within 48 hours after randomization

    Any intracranial hemorrhage confirmed by imaging

  10. Rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH)

    Time frame: Within 48 hours after randomization

    The sICH was assessed based on the Heidelberg Bleeding Classification, defined as 1) ≥4 points total NIHSS at the time of diagnosis compared to immediately before worsening; 2) ≥2 point in one NIHSS category. The rationale for this is to capture new hemorrhages that produce new neurological symptoms, making them clearly symptomatic but not causing worsening in the original stroke territory; 3) Leading to intubation/hemicraniectomy/EVD placement or other major medical/surgical intervention; 4) Absence of alternative explanation for deterioration.

  11. All-cause mortality

    Time frame: 90 days (±7 days) after randomization

    Death is defined as a mRS score of 6

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy and Safety of Sivelestat Sodium as an Adjunct to Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Anterior Circulation Large-Vessel Occlusion: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Apr 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 2026

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

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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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