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Taking peoplePhase 4

Stopping or continuing antiplatelet medicine after stroke without known cause in young adults

Compares stopping versus continuing antiplatelet medicine in young adults after a stroke of unknown cause.

Key facts

Who runs it
Stichting Radboud universitair medisch centrum
Where
Parma, ItalySee the siteAlso in 2 other countries, 40 sites
Registry title
Stopping or continuing blood thinners after stroke at young age without a known cause: STOP trial
Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 4
People taking part
1,566 people, planned
Started
5 Dec 2024
Expected to end
2 Sept 2031
Type of study
Interventional
Record updated
21 October 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults who had a first stroke or mini-stroke at a young age with no known cause, 3 to 10 years ago. It tests stopping versus continuing blood thinners.

Age
18-49 years at the time of the stroke or mini-stroke (the registry lists 18 to 64 years).
Sex
All sexes can join.
Disease stage
First ever ischaemic stroke, or TIA (mini-stroke) with signs of ischaemia on imaging, 3-10 years ago, with no cause found after standard tests (cryptogenic).

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Heart attack, coronary revascularisation or peripheral artery disease in the past
  • Another reason to take antiplatelet drugs, oral anticoagulants or low molecular weight heparin
  • Another ischaemic event after the first stroke
  • Any narrowing of an artery in the head or neck at the time of the stroke
  • Two or more risk factors for atherosclerotic disease, or any condition that prevents long-term follow-up

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 10 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • First ever ischaemic stroke, or TIA with evidence of ischaemia on imaging, 3-10 years prior to study participation
  • Age 18-49 years at the time of TIA/ischaemic stroke
  • Cryptogenic aetiology, defined as no other aetiology after standard work-up according to national and international guidelines for young stroke (imaging of the brain (CT-scan or MRI-scan) and cervical arteries (CTA, MRA or carotid ultrasound), routine blood tests (complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, antiphospholipid antibodies), ECG, at least 24 hours cardiac rhythm monitoring and transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography)

Who cannot take part

  • Other indication for antiplatelet therapy
  • History of MI, coronary revascularisation or documented peripheral arterial disease
  • Any stenosis of intracranial or cervical artery at time of stroke
  • Any condition that prevents long-term follow-up
  • Two or more risk factors for atherosclerotic disease according to the following definitions: • arterial hypertension (treated or known blood pressure before stroke >140/90 mm Hg) • diabetes mellitus (treated or known blood fasting glucose >7 mmol/l) • current smoking (or smoking stopped within the last 6 months), • hypercholesterolaemia (treated or known low-density lipoprotein before the stroke >160 mg/dl or 4, mmol/l)
  • Indication for oral anticoagulants or low molecular weight heparin
  • Recurrent ischaemic event at any time after the index event

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

  • Are you between 18 and 64 years old?

Where in Italy

Also in 2 other countries, 40 sites

  • University of ParmaParma, ItalyNot yet recruiting

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

To investigate whether discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy is non-inferior to continuation of antiplatelet therapy, to prevent major cardiovascular events three to ten years after cryptogenic TIA or ischaemic stroke at young age.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on the EU's official list of trials (CTIS).
Official title
Stopping or continuing platelet inhibitors after cryptogenic stroke at young age: STOP trial
Plain-language title
Stopping or continuing antiplatelet medicine after stroke without known cause in young adultsGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Fit questions
Built from 2024-513092-40-00, who can take part
Record updated
21 October 2026