Simvastatin in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (STASH) a Multicentre Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Intracranial bleeding from ruptured blood vessels (called a subarachnoid haemorrhage -SAH)
affects 7000 patients each year in the UK and is a source of considerable death and
disability, even in young adults. Recent observations indicate that these bleeds can cause
reduced cerebral blood flow which leads to a bad outcome. High rates of death and disability
occur, and are particularly prevalent when low cerebral blood flow results in stroke.
Prevention of cerebral artery spasm and improvement in blood vessel reflexes are the target
of modern therapy. Candidate drugs include statins which have an impeccable safety record and
multiple potential beneficial actions (improve cerebral blood flow, reduce inflammatory
processes, reduce adverse blood coagulation) following SAH.
The investigators plan to use a statin, Simvastatin (40 mg) to improve cerebral blood flow
and reduce inflammation. We have already completed a phase 11 study (n=80) which demonstrated
potential benefits for acute statin therapy following SAH, and the investigators now wish to
conduct a multi-centre phase 111 study to explore any potential clinical benefits in a larger
population (n=1600). The purpose is to see whether the positive effects of statins seen in
our phase II study translate into clinical benefits - both short term (e.g. reduced need for
intensive care) and long term (outcome and wellbeing at 6 months).
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust