Partnerstudie – EAST-STROKE

STUDY DESIGN

EAST-STROKE is an international, investigator-initiated, prospective, randomised, open-label study with blinded outcome assessment (PROBE design).

Hypothesis

The EAST-STROKE study is investigating whether early rhythm control can prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute ischaemic stroke compared to standard treatment.

Description

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common causes of ischaemic stroke. Stroke patients with atrial fibrillation have a high risk of a recurrent cardiovascular event. The current treatment of atrial fibrillation after an acute stroke usually involves oral anticoagulation, rate control and adjustment of cardiovascular risk factors, but no systematic rhythm control. The EAST-AFNET 4 study has already demonstrated the benefit of early rhythm maintenance therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, a subgroup analysis showed that early rhythm control also has a particularly high benefit in patients with a history of stroke.

The EAST-STROKE study is therefore investigating whether early rhythm control can also prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation and an acute ischaemic stroke compared to standard treatment.

EAST-STROKE is an international, investigator-initiated, prospective, randomised, open-label study with blinded outcome assessment (PROBE design). The study is funded by the EU with ‘Horizon Europe’ and will initially start in 42 clinics in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands; the participation of other countries is planned in the course of the study. A total of 1,746 patients are to be included in the study.