Hospital Clínic Barcelona and its IDIBAPS research institute have led a study showing a significant improvement in severe ischaemic stroke recovery. Adding a clot-dissolving drug after a clot-removal procedure boosts patient outcomes.
The CHOICE-2 trial was published in the JAMA medical journal. It found 57.5% of patients receiving combined treatment achieved a very good functional recovery. This meant they had no disability or only minimal symptoms 90 days after their stroke. This compares to 42.5% of patients treated with clot-removal alone.
Dr Ángel Chamorro, the study coordinator, explained the problem: "It is as if we reopen a motorway, but some secondary roads remain blocked. If blood does not properly reach the brain tissue, the brain cannot fully recover."
New Treatment Strategy Improves Outcomes
Researchers aimed to understand why only about one-third of stroke patients fully recover within three months, despite major medical advances. They hypothesised that reopening the main blocked artery might not fully restore blood flow to the brain.
Previous studies showed that impaired circulation can persist in the brain's smaller blood vessels. This happens even after the main clot is removed. This "microcirculation problem" limits neurological recovery. Dr Arturo Renú, the paper's lead author, stated, "Improving circulation in the brain's smallest blood vessels can make a significant difference to the patient's recovery."
Barcelona-Led Research Confirmed
The CHOICE-2 trial involved 440 adults with severe ischaemic stroke. Researchers included patients treated at 14 specialist hospitals across Spain. This trial confirmed the hypothesis from the original CHOICE study, published in JAMA in 2022.
Imaging tests also revealed fewer areas of insufficient circulation in patients receiving the additional drug treatment. This is a critical factor for neurological recovery.
Wider Impact on Clinical Practice
Medical professionals expect these findings to influence clinical practice across Spain and potentially internationally. The study's authors called the results "great news" for patients. This research strengthens the argument that combined treatment offers superior results for stroke patients.
This work builds on earlier research by the same team. It highlights the ongoing commitment of Barcelona's medical community to advancing stroke care.
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Originally published by Catalan News (English). Read original article.
