Recruiting

Balloon treatment to prevent stroke worsening in narrowed brain arteries

Plain-English translation of NCT06763458 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a procedure called submaximal balloon angioplasty (a minimally invasive technique that gently widens narrowed blood vessels in the brain) to see if it can help prevent strokes from getting worse. You would receive this treatment in addition to the best available stroke medications. The trial is focused on people with minor strokes who are already on strong medications but whose symptoms are still worsening or fluctuating.

Even with the best medications available, people with narrowed blood vessels in the brain (a condition called intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis) have a high risk of their stroke getting worse or having another stroke soon after. Doctors believe that quickly restoring blood flow through the narrowed vessel might prevent this deterioration, and this trial will test whether the balloon procedure is a safe and effective way to do that.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have had a minor stroke within the past week (with mild symptoms on a standard stroke scale)
you are already taking strong stroke-prevention medications but your symptoms are still getting worse or changing
you have significant narrowing (70–99%) of a blood vessel in your brain due to buildup of plaque, confirmed by imaging
your symptoms started or worsened within the past 24 hours before you could receive the balloon treatment

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had bleeding in the brain within the past 3 months
you have a blood clotting disorder or bleeding tendency, or very low platelet counts
you have other serious medical conditions or infections that would make a procedure unsafe
you have severe, difficult-to-control high blood pressure (systolic over 200 or diastolic over 110)
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will be randomly assigned to either receive the balloon procedure plus standard medications, or to continue with standard medications alone. The procedure itself is minimally invasive—a thin catheter is guided to the narrowed vessel in your brain and a small balloon gently widens it. You will be closely monitored during and after the procedure, and the research team will track your recovery and symptoms over time to see if the procedure helps prevent your stroke from worsening.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 16, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang