A large-scale study has been launched in ten hospitals across the Netherlands to evaluate a new method for assessing stroke risk in patients with carotid artery narrowing. This randomised multi-centre trial is funded by the ZonMw Efficiency Research Programme.

The study focusses on patients who have experienced a TIA or minor stroke. For these individuals, it’s crucial to determine who will benefit from surgery or stenting to remove plaque in the carotid artery, and who can be safely treated with medication alone. The current decision-making approach is primarily based on the degree of narrowing. The new method (IMPROVE) uses MRI to identify vulnerable plaque and more accurately assess stroke risk.

Researchers expect this approach to be at least as effective as the standard method and potentially more beneficial in preventing future strokes and reducing healthcare costs. Patients will be followed for several years to compare the health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of both strategies.

The research team at Maastricht UMC+ consists of: Prof. Eline Kooi (project leader), Prof. Robert van Oostenbrugge, Prof. Luc Smits, Dr Martine Truijman, Prof. Manuela Joore, Dr Linda Jacobi-Postma, Dr Stephanie Ament, Dr Jan Willem Daemen, Juul Bierens, and Robin Pleumeekers