The International Stroke Trial (IST): A randomised trial of aspirin, subcutaneous heparin, both, or neither among 19 435 patients with acute ischaemic stroke
2011

International Stroke Trial Data Availability

Sample size: 19435 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Peter Sandercock, Maciej Niewada, Anna Członkowska

Primary Institution: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh

Hypothesis

Can individual patient data from the International Stroke Trial be made available for public use to facilitate future trials?

Conclusion

The IST dataset provides valuable primary data for planning further trials, especially in older patients and resource-poor settings.

Supporting Evidence

  • The dataset includes data on 19,435 patients with acute stroke.
  • 99% complete follow-up was achieved.
  • Patients were treated 15-20 years ago, and many have died.

Takeaway

This study collected data from a large number of stroke patients to help researchers plan future studies and understand stroke treatment better.

Methodology

Data was extracted from randomised patients at multiple time points, including baseline, 14 days, and 6 months after randomisation.

Potential Biases

The unblinded data collection may introduce some bias.

Limitations

Consent for publication of raw data was not obtained from participants, and the study was conducted when stroke care was less advanced.

Participant Demographics

Over 26.4% of patients were aged over 80 years at study entry.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1745-6215-12-101

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