Under construction – not a live service
Sign in
Taking people in South KoreaNo phase

Tests two cholesterol targets in people who had a small-vessel stroke

Compares stricter and standard LDL cholesterol lowering in adults with small-vessel stroke.

Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Optimal Target Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level for Small Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Key facts

Where
Ansan, Anyang, Busan, Changwon, Cheongju-si, Chuncheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Goyang, Guri-si, Gwangju, Gwangmyeong, Hwaseong, Iksan, Incheon, Jeju City, Seongnam, Seoul, and Yŏngin, South KoreaSee the 46 sites

Where in South Korea

  • Korea University Ansan HospitalAnsan, South KoreaTaking people
  • Hallym University Sacred Heart HospitalAnyang, South KoreaTaking people
  • Pusan National University HospitalBusan, South KoreaTaking people
  • Gyeongsang National University Changwon hospitalChangwon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Samsung Changwon HospitalChangwon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Chungbuk National University HospitalCheongju-si, South KoreaTaking people
  • Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart HospitalChuncheon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Kangwon National University HospitalChuncheon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Daegu Catholic University Medical CenterDaegu, South KoreaTaking people
  • Keimyung University - Dongsan Medical CenterDaegu, South KoreaTaking people
  • Kyungpook National University Chilgok HospitalDaegu, South KoreaTaking people
  • Kyungpook National University HospitalDaegu, South KoreaTaking people
  • Chungnam National University HospitalDaejeon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Daejeon Eulji Medical CenterDaejeon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Ilsan Paik HospitalGoyang, South KoreaTaking people
  • National Health Insurance Service Ilsan HospitalGoyang, South KoreaTaking people
  • Dongguk University Ilsan HospitalGoyang, South KoreaNo longer taking part
  • Hanyang University Guri HospitalGuri-si, South KoreaTaking people
  • Chonnam National University HospitalGwangju, South KoreaTaking people
  • Chosun University HospitalGwangju, South KoreaNo longer taking part
  • Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong HospitalGwangmyeong, South KoreaTaking people
  • Dongtan Sacred Heart HospitalHwaseong, South KoreaTaking people
  • Wonkwang University HospitalIksan, South KoreaTaking people
  • Gachon University Gil Medical CenterIncheon, South KoreaTaking people
  • Inha University HospitalIncheon, South KoreaTaking people
  • International St. Mary's HospitalIncheon, South KoreaNo longer taking part
  • Jeju National University HospitalJeju City, South KoreaTaking people
  • Seoul National University Bundang HospitalSeongnam, South KoreaTaking people
  • Asan Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Chung ang University HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Ewha Womans University Mokdong HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Ewha Womans University Seoul HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Gangnam Severance HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Hanyang University Seoul HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Konkuk University Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Korea University Anam HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Kyung Hee University Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • National Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Nowon Eulji Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Samsung Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical CenterSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Seoul National University HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Severance hospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Yeouido St. Mary's HospitalSeoul, South KoreaTaking people
  • Yongin Severance HospitalYŏngin, South KoreaTaking people

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?
Print a page for my doctor

Trial details

Who runs it
Seoul National University Hospital
Trial code
NCT06649240
Record updated
11 September 2026
Original description
Lipid-lowering therapy constitutes a cornerstone of secondary prevention in ischemic stroke; however, current stroke guidelines remain deficient in providing optimal target low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels tailored to the stroke subtypes. Most clinical trials on LDL-cholesterol management have not differentiated between stroke subtypes or have primarily focused on large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke, leaving a gap in evidence for managing LDL-cholesterol in other stroke subtypes, e.g., small vessel occlusion (SVO) stroke. While hypertension is the leading risk factor for SVO strokes, the link between elevated LDL-cholesterol and SVO stroke is also recognized. Establishing optimal LDL-cholesterol targets for SVO stroke would significantly enhance secondary prevention strategies and improve patient outcome. Thus, the investigators aim to compare intensive versus standard lipid-lowering in patients with SVO stroke. SVO70 is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint clinical trial. Adult participants with objectively confirmed SVO stroke within 180 days of randomization will be included. Exclusion criteria include those with predefined LDL-cholesterol targets for other conditions, baseline LDL-cholesterol <70 mg/dL in the absence of lipid-lowering therapy, statin contraindications, or women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period. Eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 to target LDL-cholesterol <70 mg/dL (intensive group) or 90-110 mg/dL (standard group). The trial plans to enroll 4,016 participants, with the primary outcome being major adverse cardiovascular events-cardiovascular death, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome-during a follow-up period of at least 4 years. This study would provide valuable information for determining the optimal LDL-cholesterol target for patients with SVO stroke.Read full original descriptionShow less

Optimal Target Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level for Small Vessel Occlusion Stroke (SVO70)

Lipid-lowering therapy constitutes a cornerstone of secondary prevention in ischemic stroke; however, current stroke guidelines remain deficient in providing optimal target low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels tailored to the stroke subtypes. Most clinical trials on LDL-cholesterol management have not differentiated between stroke subtypes or have primarily focused on large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke, leaving a gap in evidence for managing LDL-cholesterol in other stroke subtypes, e.g., small vessel occlusion (SVO) stroke. While hypertension is the leading risk factor for SVO strokes, the link between elevated LDL-cholesterol and SVO stroke is also recognized. Establishing optimal LDL-cholesterol targets for SVO stroke would significantly enhance secondary prevention strategies and improve patient outcome. Thus, the investigators aim to compare intensive versus standard lipid-lowering in patients with SVO stroke. SVO70 is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint clinical trial. Adult participants with objectively confirmed SVO stroke within 180 days of randomization will be included. Exclusion criteria include those with predefined LDL-cholesterol targets for other conditions, baseline LDL-cholesterol <70 mg/dL in the absence of lipid-lowering therapy, statin contraindications, or women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period. Eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 to target LDL-cholesterol <70 mg/dL (intensive group) or 90-110 mg/dL (standard group). The trial plans to enroll 4,016 participants, with the primary outcome being major adverse cardiovascular events-cardiovascular death, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome-during a follow-up period of at least 4 years. This study would provide valuable information for determining the optimal LDL-cholesterol target for patients with SVO stroke.

Inclusion: Age 19 years or older; Patients with objectively confirmed small vessel occlusive infarctions in the subcortical or brainstem regions, identified through neuroimaging (MRI or CT); Patients with a history of symptomatic ischemic stroke caused by the lesion described in 2), occurring within 180 days prior to enrollment; Patients or guardians who agree to the study protocol and sign with informed consent.

Exclusion: History of atherosclerotic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack; Documented coronary artery disease; Documented peripheral artery disease or aortic atherosclerotic disease; Diabetes with one or more of the following: duration ≥10 years; ≥2 major risk factors (men ≥45 years, women ≥55 years; family history of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; hypertension; current smoking; or HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL); or known evidence of target organ damage (albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m², retinopathy, neuropathy, or left ventricular hypertrophy); Baseline LDL cholesterol <70 mg/dL in the absence of lipid-lowering therapy (statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, etc.); Patients contraindicated for statin use (e.g., active liver disease, serum transaminase levels elevated more than three times the normal limit, muscle disorders, hypersensitivity to statins, or taking medications contraindicated for use with statins); Extracranial or intracranial large artery stenosis ≥50%; Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant during the study period; Deemed unsuitable for participation in the study for more than four years, as per the investigators' discretion.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06649240