ACT GLOBAL

The ACT-GLOBAL study, run by stroke clinicians and researchers at the Unversity of Calgary and the George Institute, is an Adaptive Platform trial. A platform trial involves seeking to study several different clinical questions at the same time. We think this is a more efficient way of gathering information.

The trial, or series of trials, is testing several different treatments for acute ischemic stroke (a blockage in a brain artery that impairs blood flow to the brain.) 

Over the last few years, doctors have faced many key questions about how to best offer these treatments. For example, they must decide which dose of intravenous thrombolysis to use. They must also decide whether to give it before or after endovascular thrombectomy. This is for those who are eligible for both treatments. Early research suggests that giving a brain-protecting medicine helps to protect brain cells. It helps to keep them from dying. This medicine is called a neuroprotectant. It might also be very helpful for people receiving intravenous thrombolysis. For people who are eligible for thrombectomy, it is also not clear what is the ideal blood pressure target after the procedure.

The purpose of ACT-GLOBAL is to determine the best possible treatments for people with acute ischemic stroke.