Abstract
BackgroundThe Ischemic Stroke System is a novel device designed to deliver stimulation to the sphenopalatine ganglion(SPG).The SPG sends parasympathetic innervations to the anterior cerebral circulation. In rat stroke models, SPG stimulation results in increased cerebral blood flow, reduced infarct volume, protects the blood brain barrier, and improved neurological outcome. We present here the results of a prospective, multinational, single-arm, feasibility study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and potential benefit of SPG stimulation inpatients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).MethodsPatients with anterior AIS, baseline NIHSS 7–20 and ability to initiate treatment within 24h from stroke onset, were implanted and treated with the SPG stimulation. Patients were followed up for 90 days. Effect was assessed by comparing the patient outcome to a matched population from the NINDS rt-PA trial placebo patients.ResultsNinety-eight patients were enrolled (mean age 57years, mean baseline NIHSS 12 and mean treatment time from stroke onset 19h). The observed mortality rate(12.2%), serious adverse events (SAE)incidence(23.5%) and nature of SAE were within the expected range for the population. The modified intention to treat cohort consisted of 84 patients who were compared to matched patients from the NINDS placebo arm. Patients treated with SPG stimulation had an average mRS lower by 0.76 than the historical controls(CMH test p = 0.001).ConclusionThe implantation procedure and the SPG stimulation, initiated within 24hr from stroke onset, are feasible, safe, and tolerable. The results call for a follow-up randomized trial (funded by BrainsGate; clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT03733236).
Highlights
In patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), reperfusion is associated with better neurological outcomes and anterograde reperfusion is the goal of current therapeutic strategies
Intravenous (IV) thrombolysis use is limited by contraindications to lytic exposure in many patients, increased rates of hemorrhagic transformation compared to untreated patients, and low recanalization rates (30% of visualized artery occlusions)[2]
Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is constrained by being limited to large vessel occlusions accessible by thrombectomy devices, availability only at advanced thrombectomy-capable stroke centers, and risks of intracranial hemorrhage and infarcts in new territories[3,4].there is a need for a therapy that is safe and efficacious in an extended time window, can be administered in frontline hospitals, does not require advanced imaging for patient selection, and is not associated with hemorrhagic transformation
Summary
The Ischemic Stroke System is a novel device designed to deliver stimulation to the sphenopalatine ganglion(SPG).The SPG sends parasympathetic innervations to the anterior cerebral circulation. SPG stimulation results in increased cerebral blood flow, reduced infarct volume, protects the blood brain barrier, and improved neurological outcome. We present here the results of a prospective, multinational, single-arm, feasibility study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and potential benefit of SPG stimulation inpatients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS)
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