TREAT-CAD 2

A hemorrhage into the wall of a neck artery, medically known as a cervical artery dissection, is the most common cause of stroke in younger adults under the age of 55. It remains unclear which treatment after such a dissection offers the best protection against a stroke. In current medical practice, two strategies are used: antiplatelet drugs, which inhibit blood clotting by blocking platelets, and anticoagulants, which thin the blood. A new international study now aims to determine which method is more effective in individual cases. Over the course of four years, 1,100 patients with an acute cervical artery dissection will be enrolled in the study. Within the first three days after diagnosis, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups and treated either with an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet drug. The specific medication used within each treatment strategy will be decided by the respective medical team. After three months, researchers will evaluate which treatment is most effective in stroke prevention. Because many patients experience significant psychological distress even after physical recovery, the study is, for the first time, placing the patients perspective at center stage. Participants will be actively involved in all stages of the study. Their input will be considered both in assessing study outcomes (e.g., new strokes) and in choosing the medications used within the treatment strategies. This approach aims to identify issues that are particularly important for patients in long-term care. Furthermore, the research team from Basel, Bern, and Innsbruck seeks to connect experienced and early-career researchers with affected individuals to foster new ideas and collaborations.