ICARUSS Study: Integrated Care for the Reduction of Secondary Stroke
Principal Investigator: Dr Jacques Joubert
Stroke is the most common cause of chronic disability in older Australians, and after a first stroke there is a high rate of stroke recurrence, increasing disability and institutionalisation. However, recurrent stoke is largely preventable with optimal management of recognised risk factors including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and smoking. The study will measure the effect of the ‘integrated’ care model including specialists, general practitioners and stroke co-ordinators on risk factor modification and stroke outcomes: stroke recurrence, death, depression and disability.
Status: Recruiting
Contact: Clinical Trials and Research Centre
Accurate Diagnosis in Acute Vertigo
Principal Investigator: Professor Richard Gerraty
Acute vertigo has a differential diagnosis ranging from benign self-limiting pathologies to potentially fatal brainstem stroke. It is a common condition affecting more than 20% of people aged 18-65 years, and an even higher percentage of the elderly population. Accurate, early diagnosis and time-critical treatment can translate to earlier symptom relief, shorter hospital stay and earlier return to work.MRI is increasingly available and able to accurately detect stroke or tumour as the cause of vertigo. However, it does not assist in the diagnosis of peripheral pathologies such as vestibular dysfunction. Clinical bedside examination of the acutely vertiginous patient is not well taught, the physical signs are difficult to detect and some patients may be unable to cooperate with full examination due to severity of symptoms. This study aims to measure the diagnostic accuracy of MRI plus a structured physical examination supplemented by close up eye movement video recording to determine if this can improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with acute vertigo leading to effective treatment and more rapid resolution of symptoms.
Status: Recruiting
Contact: Clinical Trials and Research Centre
Clinical MRI study of Transient Ischaemic Attack
Principal Investigator: Professor Richard Gerraty
Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) are a risk factor for subsequent stroke, with some studies putting the risk of stroke at 30% within 7 days of a TIA.
TIA’s are often shown as acute stokes on certain images of the brain MRI in around 40% of TIA patients. Whether stroke progression or new stroke occurs in many of these patients is a debatable research argument. This study will aim to see how many patients with TIA actually have ongoing symptoms or signs after the stated conclusion of the TIA, and whether this accounts not only for the high rate of acute strokes on early MRIs, but also the proportion of the apparent recurrent strokes on the later MRIs.
Status: Recruiting
Contact: Clinical Trials and Research Centre