Congratulations to the Stroke team for their participation in the TICH-3 clinical research study led by Dr Chemindra Biyanwila, Consultant Stroke Physician.
The study’s Principal Investigator, Dr Biyanwila said: “I was approached to lead this study at the trust by the Clinical Research team and grabbed the opportunity to bring the study to patients and all those involved with Stroke care. I have always been passionate about research throughout my career and understand how it can help us diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent health problems.
“It has given everyone involved within the stroke department the opportunity to work collaboratively with other teams, including the emergency department and pharmacy. Engagement with clinical research is fundamental to providing the absolute best care for our patients. I would personally like to thank each and every colleague who has played a part in making TICH-3 happen”.
At present there is currently no available drug treatment that is effective at reducing bleeding in the brain and improving the recovery after intracerebral haemorrhage, other than blood pressure control and anti-coagulation reversal.
TICH-3 aims to assess whether a drug called tranexamic acid reduces the risk of death and/or improves disability six months after having a stroke. Tranexamic acid is used as standard care treatment in other emergency medical conditions due to bleeding, where it has been proven to help stop bleeding. This study gives patients an opportunity to participate in an innovative clinical research study which will hopefully improve medicine in the future, if it is successful.
Iwona Ward, Lead Stroke-Anticoagulation-IVIG and Lipid Specialist Pharmacist added: “I am pleased to be part of this research and incredibly proud of how, through our collaboration with the emergency department and the stroke team, we have developed effective pathways that make us one of the top recruiters in the country. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts may contribute to advancing treatment in this critical area.”
To make a proper comparison, the study needs to give some patients the active drug and some people a dummy (placebo) treatment. In this trial half of the patients in the trial will receive an injection with the drug tranexamic acid and half will have an injection of salt water as a dummy (placebo) treatment. Regardless of what intervention the patient receives, they will still receive all the necessary standard care.
Leigh Greenland, Clinical Research Nurse who is supporting the stroke team deliver this study said: “the results from this study will help us decide whether tranexamic acid should be used routinely in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage to reduce risk of death and improve recovery. It’s a hugely exciting time to work at the trust as we are seeing more and more teams engage with clinical research.”
The TICH-3 study opened to recruitment in late June this year, and has so far successfully recruited five patients.
Fiona Kirrage, Specialist Nurse Practitioner, Stroke said: “the Stroke Specialist Nursing team are excited to be part of research. All the team were nervous at the start of the process but with the support of the research team all eight nurses within our team are now on board. Stroke can have a devastating affect on patients and families so by us assisting in research, could help improve treatment and outcomes.”
An IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (ICH) is a medical emergency and causes more than 1.7 million strokes worldwide per year with a mortality of over 40%. More than 10,000 people suffered an ICH last year in England.
To find out more about the study please speak to Dr Biyanwila, the specialist stroke nursing team or contact the Clinical Research team directly on esh-tr.researchanddevelopment@nhs.net.