Stroke treatment showdown: sedation or anesthesia?

NCT ID NCT03263117

Completed Disease control Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at 260 people having emergency stroke treatment to remove a clot. Some were given sedation (awake but relaxed) and others were put under general anesthesia (completely asleep). The goal was to see which approach leads to better recovery and fewer complications after 90 days.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: sedation drugs (fentanyl, midazolam, dexmedetomidine, propofol) or general anesthesia
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that one type of anesthesia during stroke treatment leads to better recovery and less disability.
What could go wrong: This is a completed Phase 4 trial, but results may not apply to all stroke patients or settings. The choice of sedation drugs was not strictly controlled, which could affect outcomes.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

ischemic stroke large artery stroke stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

STROKE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Geisinger Health

Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States
Henry Ford Health System

Louisville, Kentucky, 48150, United States
Indiana University College of Medicine

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Memorial Hermann Hospital System - Memorial City Medical Center

Houston, Texas, 77024, United States
Memorial Hermann Hospital System - The Woodlands Medical Center

The Woodlands, Texas, 77380, United States
Rochester Regional Health

Rochester, New York, 14617, United States
Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, United States
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston with Memorial Hermann Hospital System - The Medical Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Wake Forest Baptist Health

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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