Cerebrovascular Accident Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to learn more about stroke and obtain information that may serve as the basis for future investigations. It will 1) establish a registry of patients with cerebrovascular disease (stroke); 2) characterize the natural history of acute stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA)-an interruption of blood flow to the brain that causes stroke symptoms for a short period of time); and 3) evaluate the data to generate ideas for future studies. Patients 18 years of age or older with suspected acute stroke or TIA may be eligible for this study. Subjects will be recruited from patients who present with stroke at the emergency department of Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. The study will gather data collected from diagnostic and laboratory tests the patient undergoes as part of standard medical care, including findings of medical and neurological examinations and other tests. In addition, studies will be done for research purposes only to gather data about stroke and TIA. These may include the following: Blood and urine tests not more than 2 tablespoons of blood will be drawn for various tests. Electrocardiogram (EKG) (heart tracing)-electrodes placed on the chest wall detect the heartbeat and heart rhythm. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head-specialized X-rays are used to obtain images of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain-a strong magnetic field and radio waves are used to produce images that provide information about the brain tissue and blood vessels. Transcranial Doppler (TCD)-sound waves are used to image the arteries of the brain and neck. Echocardiogram-sound waves are used to image the heart and evaluate heart function. Patients may be asked to return to Suburban Hospital for follow-up testing in 1, 3, and/or 12 months, when some of these tests may be repeated to assess changes over time Read Less

This study examines the effectiveness of the cardiac rehabilitation program for stroke patients. The study will examine if patients with stroke, who receive cardiac rehabilitation in addition to their standard of care treatments, demonstrate improved recovery of function. It will also examine if these patients have reduced hospital readmission, reduced rate of recurrent stroke, and mortality. Read Less

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of death worldwide. While medications, such as statins, significantly reduce atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk by lowering low density lipoprotein levels, they may also have pleiotropic effects on inflammation. The immunomodulatory effects of these medications are relevant to ASCVD risk reduction given that inflammation plays a central role in atherosclerotic plaque formation (atherogenesis) and influences the development of vulnerable plaque morphology. Patients on statins, however, may have residual inflammation contributing to incident ASCVD despite the potent LDL-lowering effects of statins. While new therapies, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PSCK9) inhibitors, further reduce incident ASCVD and drastically reduce LDL-C below that achieved by statin therapy alone, PCSK9 inhibitors may also have pleiotropic effects on inflammation. Thus, PCSK9 inhibitors may help reduce arterial inflammation to a level closer to that of patients without ASCVD. This study will apply a novel targeted molecular imaging approach, technetium 99m (99mTc)-tilmanocept SPECT/CT, to determine if residual macrophage-specific arterial inflammation is present with statin therapy and the immunomodulatory effects of PSCK9 inhibition. Given the continued high mortality and morbidity attributable to ASCVD, strong imperatives exist to better understand the immunomodulatory effects of lipid lowering therapies and residual inflammatory risk. This understanding, in turn, will inform the development of new ASCVD preventative and treatment strategies as well as elucidate other indications for established therapies. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the impact of using the Nomad powered KAFO in people who have had a musculoskeletal or neurological injury that has affected their ability to walk. The main questions it aims to answer are to quantify the effectiveness of the Nomad in improving mobility, balance, frequency of falls, and quality of life in individuals with lower-extremity impairments compared to their own brace, over three months of daily home and community use. Participants will: Wear a sensor that records everyday activities and mobility. Perform measures of mobility and different activities of participation using their own brace. Perform measures of mobility and different activities of participation using the Nomad powered KAFO Read Less

The Ekso (Ekso Bionics) is a wearable exoskeleton that provides robotic support and walking assistance for patients with lower extremity paralysis. Research suggests that exoskeleton-assisted gait training is as effective as conventional gait training at improving walking outcomes and balance during both the chronic and subacute period following stroke (Goffredo et al., 2019; Molteni et al., 2017; Molteni et al., 2021; Nam et al., 2019; Rojek, 2019). Exoskeleton-assisted gait training during acute inpatient rehabilitation provides a means for patients to actively participate in gait training during the early and most severe stages of stroke recovery. Most acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) report a feasibility of 5-8 Ekso sessions during inpatient stays and demonstrate significant improvement from baseline (Nolan et al., 2020; Swank, 2020). Nolan et al. (2020) demonstrated that stroke patients receiving Ekso ambulated 1640 feet more than patients undergoing more conventional gait training techniques during inpatient rehabilitation, suggesting that the exoskeleton may offer additional benefit during this phase of recovery. Despite promising evidence, there have been no randomized controlled trials within the IRF setting. Because Ekso-gait training increases the number of steps patients can take, during acute inpatient physical therapy (PT), the investigators hypothesize that patients who participate in Ekso-gait training will demonstrate quicker improvements in balance, gait speed, endurance and independence in functional ambulation during their stay in the IRF. In this study, eligible patients admitted to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH) for rehabilitation following stroke will be randomized to receive conventional or Ekso-gait training therapy. Meaningful clinical benchmarks for balance and walking will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (Alghadir, 2018; Moore, 2018), the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) (Bowden, 2008; Moore, 2018), the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) (Kubo et al., 2020; Moore, 2018), and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) (Mehrholz, 2007). Achieving these benchmark scores are associated with several positive outcomes, including increased ability to ambulate in the community and reduced risk of falling (Alghadir, 2018; Bowden, 2008; Kubo et al., 2020). The investigators also hypothesize that patients in the Ekso cohort will report greater value/usefulness when compared to patients receiving standard care. Read Less

The purpose of the research is to understand structural plaque abnormalities that make a carotid plaque unstable and brake off (embolize) which would help to predict and treat individuals who are likely to suffer not only classic episodic major strokes but also cognitive impairment. Read Less