The Hazard of Negative (Not Neutral) Trials on Treatment of Acute Stroke: A Review

Bath, Philip M.; Appleton, Jason P.; England, Timothy

Abstract

Importance: While there are a limited number of beneficial treatments for acute stroke (eg, stroke units, reperfusion, aspirin, hemicraniectomy), there are more negative (as opposed to neutral) interventions spanning multiple different mechanisms of action. To reduce the risk of future negative studies, it is vital to understand why previous interventions appeared to cause harm.

Observations: The limited number of beneficial treatments for acute ischemic stroke are far outnumbered by negative (not neutral) interventions that worsened outcomes in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), including those with putative neuroprotectant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, free radical–scavenging, hemorrhagic, or vasoactive activity. Other agents reduced thrombolytic efficiency or exhibited neuropsychiatric or cardiac toxicity. In intracerebral hemorrhage, platelet transfusion was hazardous. Although reperfusion treatments should be given as soon as possible, very early intervention with other strategies may instead be hazardous, as has been seen with physical therapy and vasodepressors.

Conclusions and Relevance: The lessons learned from negative stroke RCTs are vital for designing future studies. Multicenter preclinical studies are necessary, and animals that die must be included in analyses. Randomized clinical trials must assess multiple neurological, vascular, cardiac, and general safety effects, whether these are on target or off target. All preclinical trials and RCTs must be published in full. Learning from the past will help to reduce the number of negative stroke RCTs in the future.

Citation

Bath, P. M., Appleton, J. P., & England, T. (2020). The Hazard of Negative (Not Neutral) Trials on Treatment of Acute Stroke: A Review. JAMA Neurology, 77(1), 114-124. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.4107

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 10, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 2, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 17, 2019
• Journal: JAMA Neurology
• Print ISSN: 2168-6149
• Electronic ISSN: 2168-6157
• Publisher: American Medical Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 77
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 114-124
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.4107
• Keywords: Clinical Neurology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3588546
• Publisher URL: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2756126