Medico-Economic Evaluation of MRI Versus CT as Diagnostic Imaging Strategies in Patients With Suspected Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Two-Arm Parallel Trial.

NCT07719374 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MMI-2025-5
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 600
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. In patients with suspected large vessel occlusion, rapid diagnosis and reperfusion therapy are critical, as treatment delays are associated with worse functional outcomes and increased mortality. Current French guidelines recommend brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the reference imaging modality because of its high diagnostic accuracy. However, MRI availability remains limited in many stroke centers, often resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment. Conversely, computed tomography (CT) is more widely available and can substantially shorten time to reperfusion, although it may be less sensitive for early ischemic changes. The MAGRITTE study aims to determine whether an initial CT-based imaging strategy is more cost-effective than an MRI-based strategy for patients with suspected severe acute ischemic stroke within 6 hours of symptom onset. This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups enrolling 600 adult patients presenting with a high suspicion of acute ischemic stroke due to proximal large vessel occlusion (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale \[NIHSS\] score ≥10). Participants will be randomized to undergo either CT with CT angiography or MRI with MR angiography as the first-line diagnostic imaging examination. Additional perfusion imaging may be performed at the investigator's discretion. The primary objective is to compare the cost-utility of the two diagnostic strategies at 12 months, expressed as the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, using EQ-5D-5L-derived utilities. Secondary objectives include lifetime cost-effectiveness modeling, 5-year budget impact analysis, comparison of functional outcomes, mortality, imaging-to-treatment and reperfusion times, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, diagnostic accuracy, management pathways, adverse events, radiation exposure, and healthcare costs. The study will provide evidence on whether a CT-first imaging strategy can improve the efficiency of acute stroke care while maintaining favorable clinical outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

Stroke; Computed tomography (CT); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Cost-effectiveness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained at 12 months

  12 months after stroke onset

Study Arms (2)

First-line non-contrast CT and CT angiography for suspected acute ischemic stroke.

EXPERIMENTAL

Diagnostic Test: CT and CT angiography (CTA)

First-line brain MRI and MR angiography for suspected acute ischemic stroke.

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Diagnostic Test: MRI and MR angiography (MRA)

Interventions

CT and CT angiography (CTA) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants randomized to this intervention undergo first-line non-contrast brain computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography (CTA) for the diagnosis of suspected acute ischemic stroke.

First-line non-contrast CT and CT angiography for suspected acute ischemic stroke.

MRI and MR angiography (MRA) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants undergo first-line brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR angiography (MRA) for the evaluation of suspected acute ischemic stroke.

First-line brain MRI and MR angiography for suspected acute ischemic stroke.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥18 years
• Symptoms consistent with suspected acute ischemic stroke due to proximal large vessel occlusion
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥10 at admission
• Symptom onset \<6 hours before randomization

You may not qualify if:

• Previous diagnostic brain imaging performed within the preceding 24 hours for the index stroke event
• Contraindication to MRI (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, metallic implant or foreign body, surgical clips) or CT (e.g., pregnancy, severe renal impairment)
• Contraindication to iodinated contrast agent (e.g., known severe allergy)
• Not affiliated with the French national health insurance system
• Not residing in France
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Adults under legal protection
• Participation in another interventional clinical trial (RIPH1 or equivalent)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild: lead
• Université Paris Descartes- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Appliquée en Économie-Gestion et Santé - LIRAES: collaborator

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Computed Tomography Angiography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Multimodal Imaging; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Image Enhancement; Photography; Radiography; Tomography, X-Ray; Tomography; Angiography; Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: NETWORK
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2026
• First Posted: July 22, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2030
• Last Updated: July 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07