The EAST-STROKE trial (‘Early treatment of Atrial fibrillation for Stroke prevention Trial in acute STROKE’) was funded by the EU Horizon programme to test a new treatment strategy for patients with an acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF is a condition where the heart beats irregularly and often too fast. This can lead to blood clots forming in the heart, which can travel to the brain, block the blood flow and cause an ischemic stroke. In addition, AF can cause tissue damage to the heart which could cause heart failure.
What is Rhythm Control?
Rhythm Control is an established treatment that can restore a normal heartbeat in people with AF. It uses medicines and ablation (a small surgical procedure to restore the normal heartbeat) but is currently not used in acute stroke patients.
The EAST-STROKE trial will test if early treatment of stroke patients who have AF with Rhythm Control in combination with usual treatment of stroke can help prevent further strokes, heart attacks and other heart problems.
Why is this study important?
People with stroke and AF have a high risk of having another stroke or of having heart problems. If the EAST-STROKE trial shows that Rhythm Control is safe and helpful, it could become a new standard treatment for stroke patients with AF, helping thousands of people around the world.
Professor Götz Thomalla, project coordinator and Director of the Department of Neurology at University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, explains: “If the study confirms our early findings, it could change the way we treat stroke patients with atrial fibrillation worldwide and help prevent many new strokes.”
Who is leading the study?
The study is led by scientists from the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) in Germany. It is supported by the European Union with 7 million euros in funding.
Where will the study take place?
The trial started in early 2025 and will last for six years. It will begin in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia. Later, other countries like the UK, Canada and Brazil will join. In total, 1746 patients are expected to take part. This international design of the trial will support the global implementation of the trial results and treatment guidelines.
What do we hope to achieve?
If the study is successful, Rhythm Control could become a regular treatment for stroke patients with AF. Doctors could use it worldwide to help prevent strokes, additional strokes and heart attacks.
Arlene Wilkie, Director General of the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), states: “This trial has the potential to improve stroke care across the globe, giving patients better outcomes and reducing the burden of stroke on individuals, families and healthcare systems.”
For more information about this project, see video: https://youtu.be/F3xRGHexgws
Or visit the EAST-STROKE website: https://east-stroke.eu/
Or contact research@safestroke.eu
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 101156541
