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Optimizing Reduced-Flow, Low-Volume Contrast Protocols for Cerebral Angiography in Unruptured Aneurysms

Comparison of Iodinated Contrast Media Injection Protocols With Reduced Flow Rates and Volumes on Image Quality in Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography for the Evaluation of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Towards a Standardization of Practices

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07302646
Acronym
OPIAC
Enrollment
244
Registered
2025-12-24
Start date
2026-03-01
Completion date
2028-03-02
Last updated
2025-12-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Interventional Neuroradiology

Brief summary

Over the past two decades, interventional neuroradiology (INR) has seen significant advances in terms of safety and radiation protection. However, the management of iodinated contrast media (ICM) administered to the patients remains problematic. There is currently no reference for applying the ALADA (As Low As Diagnostically Acceptable) principle to ICM. In this context, optimising injection parameters seems essential to limit patient risks while maintaining sufficient diagnostic quality. To achieve this, it is necessary to work on a standardised procedure: the most frequently performed being diagnostic cerebral angiography for initial assessment or follow-up of intracranial aneurysms (IA). The aim of this project is to demonstrate that the use of injection protocols with reduced flow rates and volumes would enable non-inferior results compared to the empirical protocol (used in our department) in terms of image quality for the assessment of ICA, while improving examination comfort for patients. A Randomised controlled non-inferiority study involving a four-arm factorial design to evaluate the impact of different ICM injection strategies in diagnostic cerebral angiography. Four groups will be compared: three experimental groups evaluating reductions in injection volumes and/or flow rates, and a control group following the standard protocol currently used in Strasbourg University Hospitals. Each subject will be randomly assigned to a group, and all images will be acquired using the same protocol. By following the standard care pathway and implementing safety procedures to ensure diagnostic quality, patients will not undergo any changes to their usual care and will not run any increased risk of diagnostic error.

Interventions

RADIATIONStandard (Reference)

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria. Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol. Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS). Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration. Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

RADIATIONReduced volume - standard flow rate

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria. Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol. Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS). Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration. Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

RADIATIONStandard volume - Reduced flow rate

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria. Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol. Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS). Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration. Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

RADIATIONReduced volume and flow rate

Selection visit (D-40 to D-7): Patient information on cerebral angiography (standard consultation) and study objectives. Delivery of the information document and reflection period. Verification of eligibility criteria. Inclusion visit (D0): Review of study objectives and Q&A. Final verification of eligibility criteria. Obtaining of free and informed consent. Randomisation and assignment to an injection protocol. Angiography performed according to standard practice, with image acquisition using the assigned injection protocol. Assessment of patient discomfort (EVS) and satisfaction (SAPS). Data collection: ICM volume injected/consumed, radiation dose, and examination duration. Image handling: Archiving and pseudonymisation of images for later analysis. End of participation: Patient participation ends after this visit.

Sponsors

University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Adult participant at the time of consent (age between 18 and 80 years old); Scheduled diagnostic cerebral angiography as part of routine care: * Initial assessment of the IA (suspected or detected in non-invasive imaging); * Follow-up of one or more IAs (treated or untreated); * Conscious and oriented participant, able to undergo the procedure under simple local anaesthesia; * Participant able to understand the objectives of the research and provide a dated, signed informed consent form; * Participant able to answer oral or written questions (French-speaking or understanding French); * For women of childbearing potential: negative serum β-HCG test at the inclusion visit; * Participant covered by a social security health insurance plan.

Exclusion criteria

* Emergency cerebral angiography; * Participants with other neurovascular conditions (AVM, AVF, etc.) in addition to an IA; * Participants with any contraindication to the use of ICM; * Pregnancy or breastfeeding; * Participants whose physical or psychological condition requires sedation or general anaesthesia for the procedure; * Participants with communication or cognitive disorders; Incapable participants (subject to legal protection measures: curatorship, guardianship, judicial protection, future protection mandate, family authorization).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ratio of exploitable 2D and 3D images1 dayRatio of exploitable 2D and 3D images, assessed by radiographers, obtained with each injection protocol (reduced flow rates/standard volumes; reduced volumes/standard flow rates; reduced flow rates and volumes), compared to the standard/empirical protocol

Countries

France

Contacts

Primary ContactNicolas DEHLINGER
nicolas.dehlinger@chru-strasbourg.fr06 43 33 15 44

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026