Left Atrial Strain and Cryptogenic Stroke

Part of paid clinical trials in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Study ID
NCT07224178
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke
  • Ischemic Stroke, Cryptogenic
  • Ischemic Stroke, Embolic
  • Recurrent Ischemic Stroke

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Study Details

Cryptogenic stroke is a type of stroke in which the cause of the blood clot cannot be identified, leaving many patients without a clear treatment plan and at high risk for another stroke. Current medical guidelines recommend blood-thinning medication (anticoagulation) only when atrial fibrillation (AF) -an irregular heart rhythm- can be documented. However, AF may occur silently and remain undetected. Long term implantable (placed invasively under the skin) devices may be needed to capture these episodes. AF is known to develop from disease of the left atrium, the upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the lungs. When the left atrium does not contract normally, blood flow may slow down, increasing the risk of clot formation. Nowadays, the left atrial (LA) function can be quantified precisely using a noninvasive ultrasound technique called strain imaging. This study aims to determine whether reduced LA function is associated with cryptogenic stroke and its recurrence even when AF is not observed. If such an association is confirmed, LA strain could serve as a new biomarker to identify patients at risk, earlier than the development of overt AF, enhance preventive measures to reduce recurrent strokes. Because echocardiographic strain imaging is safe, cost-effective, and widely available, it may become an important tool for improving care in this high-risk population.

Key Dates

Start date
Dec 17, 2025
Status verified
Jan 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2027
Completion
Dec 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
900 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: Cryptogenic Stroke Cohort
    Subjects in sinus rhythm who had a diagnosis of ischemic embolic stroke in whom no clear embolic source was identified after standard diagnostic evaluation (TOAST classification: Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source) and who had transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as part of the stroke work up will constitute the first group.
  • Arm: Non-Cryptogenic Stroke Cohort (Comparator Group)
    Subjects in sinus rhythm who had a non-cryptogenic stroke (e.g., large artery atherosclerosis, small vessel disease, hemorrhagic) and who underwent transthoracic echocardiography as part of the clinical stroke workup. This group will serve as a comparator for the primary analysis to determine whether LA strain determines cryptogenic stroke among other stroke subtypes.

Primary Outcome Measure

Correlation between left atrial strain (percent deformation) and the rate of cryptogenic stroke [ Time Frame: Baseline ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
UPMC PresbyterianPittsburghPennsylvania15213
Leyla E Sade, MD
[email protected]
412-215-3464
Benay Ozbay, MD
[email protected]
412-450-2774

Find similar trials in Pittsburgh, PA

By condition
Stroke
By specialty
NeurologyBrain disorders
By research site
UPMC Presbyterian· Pittsburgh, PA

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