Plenary Highlights

The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) is delighted to be running the 8^th ESO Conference (ESOC 2022) on 4^th – 6^th May 2022. For the first time, the conference will be held as a hybrid meeting in Lyon, France, providing the opportunity for delegates around the globe to hear about the latest advances from ground-breaking research in cerebrovascular disease, both virtually and in-person.

This year, we look forward to a record number of studies being presented across our three plenary sessions. We will publish daily press releases on these studies and issue pre-recorded video interviews with each of the principal investigators.

Here are just some of the highly anticipated studies due to be covered:

Hyperacute care

Reperfusion therapies for acute ischaemic stroke

The results from four clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of Tenecteplase in acute ischaemic stroke will be presented:

ACT: Alteplase compared to Tenecteplase Randomized Controlled Trial
NOR-TEST 2 PART A: Tenecteplase versus Alteplase for Management of Acute Ischaemic Stroke
TASTE-A: The Melbourne Mobile Stroke Unit Tenecteplase versus Alteplase for Stroke Thrombolysis Evaluation Trial in the Ambulance
TWIST: Tenecteplase in Wake-Up Ischaemic Stroke Trial

ACTIMIS evaluates glenzocimab, a novel antithrombotic, in combination with reperfusion therapies in acute ischaemic stroke in a multinational, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

ATTENTION is a multi-centre randomized controlled trial evaluating endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion.

AMETIS evaluates sedation versus general anaesthesia in large vessel occlusion thrombectomy in a randomized controlled trial.

Safety of IVC and DOAC: An international collaboration examines the safety of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with ischaemic stroke and recent direct oral anticoagulants intake in a multi-centre retrospective cohort study.

Optimising pre-hospital care

PARANASPP (Paramedic Norwegian Acute stroke Prehospital Project) uses a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the diagnostic potential of an intervention consisting of a structured learning program, prehospital NIHSS and a mobile application to facilitate communication with the stroke physician.

The RACECAT trial secondary analysis provides insights on the optimal transfer protocol – drip-and-ship versus mothership – to minimise transfer complications and ensure the best outcome for patients

Acute stroke care

Blood pressure lowering in acute ischaemic stroke

The effect of intensive blood pressure lowering in cerebral ischaemia remains topical. Further analysis from the ENCHANTED trial hopes to bring further insights into the effect of intensive BP lowering on infarct size.

Treatment options for intracerebral haemorrhage

The use of intraventricular fibrinolysis in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage with external ventricular drain for acute hydrocephalus has been evaluated in an individual participant data meta-analysis.

TICH-NOAC, a multi-centre, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid in intracerebral haemorrhage associated with direct oral anticoagulants.

Stroke genetics and epidemiology

Large genetic data analysis from a collaborative effort involving ISGC, CHARGE and the GIGASTROKE consortia provides fascinating insights into potential stroke mechanisms and novel drug targets.

Epigenetic Clocks and Stroke: An epigenetic study explores the use of epigenetic clocks, calculating age on the basis of DNA methylation and clinical variables, to assess epigenetic age as a risk factor for stroke and whether stroke survivors are epigenetically older compared with those who are stroke-free.

Several large observational studies explore how stroke and cardiovascular health are associated with air pollution, inflammatory markers, and acute febrile illness. The risk of cancer in young people with stroke is also examined.

Secondary prevention

ATTICUS is a randomized controlled trial that compares direct oral anticoagulant with acetylsalicylic acid for secondary prevention in embolic stroke of undetermined source

Individual participant level data from SoSTART, APACHE-AF, NASPAF-ICH have been meta-analysed to evaluate the effects of long-term oral anticoagulant agents for atrial fibrillation after intracranial haemorrhage.

There are many more scientific advances that will be presented at ESOC 2022. Don’t miss out and register now to attend the ESOC 2022 virtually or in person!

We look forward to welcoming you to ESOC 2022!

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