This study is a Phase II, randomized, crossover trial designed to compare one fixed dose of dabigatran with open-label use of ASA in patients affected by CADASIL; the study is a safety trial, and the primary objective is to assess that dabigatran is not less safe than ASA in subjects with CADASIL.
The primary endpoint is the number of microbleeds, as measured by MRI, at 90 days of follow up. The study is based on the hypothesis that drugs inhibitor of the thrombin is more effective than ASA in preventing vessel obstruction. The rationale behind the study is based on the assumption that: a) the formation of microthrombi is relevant to the clinical expression of the CADASIL disease, and b) thrombin inhibitors are more effective than antiplatelet drugs in preventing lesions by microvessel obstruction. Eligible patients will be randomized into one of the 2 treatment groups: 1. One week wash-out (W1), Dabigatran one tablet 100mg twice a day for 12 weeks, a second one week wash-out (W2), treatment with ASA one tablet of 100mg/day once a day for 12 weeks; 2. The same scheme repeated with reversed sequence No initial wash-out week will be required for patients in group 2 already treated with ASA. Clinical and instrumental evaluations will be carried out during the first (W1) and second wash-out weeks (W2), and at the end of the study (during the week that follows the second treatment regimen (W3). Each evaluation will consist of physical examination, blood tests and MRI. Safety is evaluated on the basis of brain microbleeds and severe haemorrhages.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
110 mg twice daily
100mg once a day
Emergency Department Stroke Unit, Umberto I Hospital
Rome, Rome, Italy
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNESMOS Department St. Andrea Hospital
Rome, Rome, Italy
RECRUITINGNumber of microbleeds on MRI
Primary endpoint is defined as the difference in number of microbleeds on MRI images taken at the end of the 2 treatments (i.e, during W2 and W3). Secondary endpoint is major bleeding. The neuroradiologists (or trained neurologists) who will examine the images on MRI will be blind to treatment.
Time frame: Six Months
Major bleeding
Severe haemorrhages are defined as a reduction of the haemoglobin level by at least 20g per litre, need of a transfusion of at least 2 units of blood, or symptomatic bleeding of an organ or critical area. Life threatening haemorrhages are a subcategory of severe hemorrhages defined as: fatal haemorrhages, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages, haemorrhages with a diminution of haemoglobin level of at least 50g per litre or that require transfusion of at least 4 blood units, or surgery. All the other haemorrhages are considered minor.
Time frame: Six Months
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