Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic AttacksSCOPE-CTNCT07896889
Cardiac CT Angiography in Acute Stroke Imaging (SCOPE-CT)
A study testing Cardiac CT Angiography in people with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks, run by Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Stroke can occur when a blood clot travels to the brain and blocks blood flow. In some patients, these blood clots may originate in the heart. Standard emergency stroke imaging typically includes a CT scan of the head and CT angiography (CTA) of the head and neck, but does not routinely include imaging of the heart. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks
- What is being tested?
- Cardiac CT Angiography
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 26 Oct 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients presenting with suspected acute ischemic stroke or TIA who undergo standard acute stroke CT/CTA imaging.
- Age ≥18 years.
- Suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA.
- Undergoing standard-of-care acute stroke CT/CTA.
- Presentation within a clinically relevant acute stroke imaging window, ≤24 hours from last-known-well.
- Able to undergo iodinated contrast-enhanced CTA
Who cannot join
- Known contraindication to iodinated contrast.
- Severe renal impairment where additional contrast is deemed clinically inappropriate.
- Hemodynamic instability precluding additional imaging.
- Pregnancy.
- Severe motion/agitation where imaging is not feasible.
- Prior enrollment in the study.
- The treating stroke/radiology team determines that additional cardiac CTA is not appropriate.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site
The Ottawa Hospital
Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9
Portela de Oliveira Eduardo, MD, 613-798-5555, eporteladeoliveira@toh.ca
Rafael Ochoa Sanchez, PhD, 613-798-5555 ext. 10912, raochoa@ohri.ca
About this study
Official title: SCOPE-CT Pilot: Feasibility of Integrating ECG-Gated and Non-ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography Into the Acute Stroke Imaging Workflow
Stroke can occur when a blood clot travels to the brain and blocks blood flow. In some patients, these blood clots may originate in the heart. Standard emergency stroke imaging typically includes a CT scan of the head and CT angiography (CTA) of the head and neck, but does not routinely include imaging of the heart.
This study will evaluate whether cardiac CT angiography (CTA) can be safely added to the standard acute stroke imaging workflow without delaying urgent stroke care. Participants with suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) will undergo either prospective ECG-gated cardiac CTA or non-ECG-gated cardiac CTA during their acute stroke imaging examination.
The primary goal of the study is to assess the feasibility of integrating cardiac CTA into routine stroke imaging by evaluating workflow impact, image quality, radiation exposure, contrast use, and protocol completion. Findings from this study may help improve the identification of cardiac sources of stroke and inform the design of future larger studies.
Read the detailed description
Acute ischemic stroke may result from thromboembolic material originating from the heart or thoracic aorta. Current emergency stroke imaging protocols routinely include non-contrast head CT and CT angiography (CTA) of the head and neck but do not routinely include dedicated cardiac imaging during the hyperacute phase of stroke assessment.
Cardiac CT angiography (CTA) has emerged as a promising non-invasive method for identifying potential cardioembolic sources, including left atrial appendage thrombus, left ventricular thrombus, and aortic atherosclerotic disease. Earlier identification of these findings may improve diagnostic evaluation and facilitate future treatment planning.
SCOPE-CT is a prospective, single-centre feasibility pilot study evaluating the integration of cardiac CTA into the acute stroke imaging workflow at The Ottawa Hospital. Approximately 50 participants with suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) will undergo either prospective ECG-triggered cardiac CTA or non-ECG-gated cardiac CTA in addition to standard stroke imaging.
The primary objective is to determine whether cardiac CTA can be incorporated into the hyperacute stroke imaging pathway without clinically meaningful disruption of workflow. Secondary objectives include assessment of image quality, protocol completion rates, radiation dose, contrast utilization, workflow impact, and detection of potential cardioembolic sources.
The results of this pilot study will be used to inform protocol optimization and the design of future larger studies evaluating the role of cardiac CTA in acute stroke assessment.
- Being tested
- Cardiac CT Angiography
- Keywords
- Cardiac CT Angiography, ECG-Gated Cardiac CTA, Acute Ischemic Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack, SCOPE-CT
- Medical subject headings
- Ischemic Stroke, Ischemic Attack, Transient
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cardiac CT AngiographyDiagnostic test
Cardiac CT angiography performed during acute stroke imaging using prospective ECG triggering to synchronize image acquisition with the cardiac cycle. This approach is intended to improve visualization of cardiac structures, including the left atrial appendage and left ventricle, while minimizing radiation exposure. The study will evaluate the feasibility of integrating this imaging protocol into the acute stroke workflow.
Cardiac CT angiography performed during acute stroke imaging without ECG synchronization. This approach extends the standard stroke CT angiography acquisition to include the heart and thoracic aorta with minimal additional imaging time. The study will evaluate the feasibility, image quality, workflow impact, and diagnostic performance of this imaging protocol within the acute stroke workflow.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography | Experimental | Participants undergo prospective ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography (CTA) during acute stroke imaging to evaluate potential cardiac and aortic sources of embolism and assess feasibility within the acute stroke workflow. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Cardiac CT Angiography |
| Non-ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography | Experimental | Participants undergo non-ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography (CTA) during acute stroke imaging. This imaging approach extends the standard stroke CTA acquisition to include the heart and thoracic aorta without ECG synchronization. The study will evaluate the feasibility, image quality, workflow impact, radiation exposure, and diagnostic performance of this approach within the acute stroke workflow. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Cardiac CT Angiography |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Feasibility of Integrating Cardiac CT Angiography Into the Acute Stroke Imaging Workflow
Feasibility will be assessed by successful completion of the cardiac CT angiography protocol and its integration into the acute stroke imaging workflow without clinically meaningful disruption to patient care.
Measured: During the acute stroke imaging encounter (Day 1)
Additional Scanner/Table Time
Additional scanner/table time associated with the cardiac CT angiography acquisition compared with the standard acute stroke imaging workflow.
Measured: Day 1
Secondary outcomes (1)
Assessment of diagnostic image quality for cardiac CT angiography acquisitions.
Diagnostic image quality of cardiac CT angiography (CTA) acquisitions will be assessed by study investigators and radiologists to determine whether the images are of sufficient quality for evaluation of potential cardiac and aortic sources of embolism. Image quality assessments will include the presence of motion artifact, visualization of relevant cardiac structures, and overall diagnostic interpretability.
Measured: During the imaging procedure (Day 1)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Oct 2026
- Study start26 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic AttacksStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants with suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) undergoing standard acute stroke CT/CTA imaging will undergo one of two cardiac CTA acquisition strategies: prospective ECG-triggered cardiac CTA or non-ECG-gated cardiac CTA. Assignment is non-randomized and based on operational feasibility and imaging workflow considerations. The study is designed to evaluate the feasibility of integrating cardiac CTA into acute stroke imaging without clinically meaningful delays to patient care.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Alice Black, Manager, Study director, Ottawa Hospita Research Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07896889
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20260488-01H
- Acronym
- SCOPE-CT
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared outside the study team. Data will be stored and managed in accordance with institutional privacy and confidentiality requirements.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- SCOPE-CT Pilot: Feasibility of Integrating ECG-Gated and Non-ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography Into the Acute Stroke Imaging Workflow
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07896889
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SCOPE-CT / 20260488-01H
- Keywords
- Cardiac CT Angiography, ECG-Gated Cardiac CTA, Acute Ischemic Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack, SCOPE-CT
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Stroke can occur when a blood clot travels to the brain and blocks blood flow. In some patients, these blood clots may originate in the heart. Standard emergency stroke imaging typically includes a CT scan of the head and CT angiography (CTA) of the head and neck, but does not routinely include imaging of the heart.
This study will evaluate whether cardiac CT angiography (CTA) can be safely added to the standard acute stroke imaging workflow without delaying urgent stroke care. Participants with suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) will undergo either prospective ECG-gated cardiac CTA or non-ECG-gated cardiac CTA during their acute stroke imaging examination.
The primary goal of the study is to assess the feasibility of integrating cardiac CTA into routine stroke imaging by evaluating workflow impact, image quality, radiation exposure, contrast use, and protocol completion. Findings from this study may help improve the identification of cardiac sources of stroke and inform the design of future larger studies.
Detailed description
Acute ischemic stroke may result from thromboembolic material originating from the heart or thoracic aorta. Current emergency stroke imaging protocols routinely include non-contrast head CT and CT angiography (CTA) of the head and neck but do not routinely include dedicated cardiac imaging during the hyperacute phase of stroke assessment.
Cardiac CT angiography (CTA) has emerged as a promising non-invasive method for identifying potential cardioembolic sources, including left atrial appendage thrombus, left ventricular thrombus, and aortic atherosclerotic disease. Earlier identification of these findings may improve diagnostic evaluation and facilitate future treatment planning.
SCOPE-CT is a prospective, single-centre feasibility pilot study evaluating the integration of cardiac CTA into the acute stroke imaging workflow at The Ottawa Hospital. Approximately 50 participants with suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) will undergo either prospective ECG-triggered cardiac CTA or non-ECG-gated cardiac CTA in addition to standard stroke imaging.
The primary objective is to determine whether cardiac CTA can be incorporated into the hyperacute stroke imaging pathway without clinically meaningful disruption of workflow. Secondary objectives include assessment of image quality, protocol completion rates, radiation dose, contrast utilization, workflow impact, and detection of potential cardioembolic sources.
The results of this pilot study will be used to inform protocol optimization and the design of future larger studies evaluating the role of cardiac CTA in acute stroke assessment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants with suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) undergoing standard acute stroke CT/CTA imaging will undergo one of two cardiac CTA acquisition strategies: prospective ECG-triggered cardiac CTA or non-ECG-gated cardiac CTA. Assignment is non-randomized and based on operational feasibility and imaging workflow considerations. The study is designed to evaluate the feasibility of integrating cardiac CTA into acute stroke imaging without clinically meaningful delays to patient care.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Cardiac CT AngiographyParticipants undergo prospective ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography (CTA) during acute stroke imaging to evaluate potential cardiac and aortic sources of embolism and assess feasibility within the acute stroke workflow. |
| Non-ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography | Experimental | Diagnostic Test: Cardiac CT AngiographyParticipants undergo non-ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography (CTA) during acute stroke imaging. This imaging approach extends the standard stroke CTA acquisition to include the heart and thoracic aorta without ECG synchronization. The study will evaluate the feasibility, image quality, workflow impact, radiation exposure, and diagnostic performance of this approach within the acute stroke workflow. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Adult patients presenting with suspected acute ischemic stroke or TIA who undergo standard acute stroke CT/CTA imaging.
- Age ≥18 years.
- Suspected acute ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA.
- Undergoing standard-of-care acute stroke CT/CTA.
- Presentation within a clinically relevant acute stroke imaging window, ≤24 hours from last-known-well.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Known contraindication to iodinated contrast.
- Severe renal impairment where additional contrast is deemed clinically inappropriate.
- Hemodynamic instability precluding additional imaging.
- Pregnancy.
- Severe motion/agitation where imaging is not feasible.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac CT AngiographyCardiac CT angiography performed during acute stroke imaging using prospective ECG triggering to synchronize image acquisition with the cardiac cycle. This approach is intended to improve visualization of cardiac structures, including the left atrial appendage and left ventricle, while minimizing radiation exposure. The study will evaluate the feasibility of integrating this imaging protocol into the acute stroke workflow. Cardiac CT angiography performed during acute stroke imaging without ECG synchronization. This approach extends the standard stroke CT angiography acquisition to include the heart and thoracic aorta with minimal additional imaging time. The study will evaluate the feasibility, image quality, workflow impact, and diagnostic performance of this imaging protocol within the acute stroke workflow. | Diagnostic test | ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography, Non-ECG-Gated Cardiac CT Angiography |
Primary outcome
Feasibility of Integrating Cardiac CT Angiography Into the Acute Stroke Imaging Workflow
Time frame: During the acute stroke imaging encounter (Day 1)
Feasibility will be assessed by successful completion of the cardiac CT angiography protocol and its integration into the acute stroke imaging workflow without clinically meaningful disruption to patient care.
Additional Scanner/Table Time
Time frame: Day 1
Additional scanner/table time associated with the cardiac CT angiography acquisition compared with the standard acute stroke imaging workflow.
1 secondary outcome
Assessment of diagnostic image quality for cardiac CT angiography acquisitions.
Time frame: During the imaging procedure (Day 1)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared outside the study team. Data will be stored and managed in accordance with institutional privacy and confidentiality requirements.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Alice Black, Manager study director
Ottawa Hospita Research Institute
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cardiac CT Angiography in people with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks, run by Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Eduardo Portela de Oliveira, MD (613-798-5555, eporteladeoliveira@toh.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Feasibility of Integrating Cardiac CT Angiography Into the Acute Stroke Imaging Workflow (time frame: During the acute stroke imaging encounter (Day 1)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Oct 2026.