Clinical Trials Unit · Phase III
The DUSK Trial
Endovascular thrombectomy for distal medium vessel occlusion stroke.
Active and enrolling
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05983757
At a glance
DesignPhase III, randomized 1:1, multicenter, open label
PopulationDistal medium vessel occlusion stroke within 12 hours of last seen well
ComparisonEndovascular thrombectomy versus standard medical therapy alone
Primary endpointOrdinal shift across all levels of the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days
Sample size584 patients
SitesUp to 50, starting in the U.S., with planned international expansion
Why DUSK
Distal and medium vessel occlusions account for 25 to 40% of ischemic strokes, yet there is no universal treatment strategy. Deficits can look mild on a scale and still be disabling, while thrombectomy in smaller, more distal arteries carries its own risk. DUSK is designed to settle the question with randomized evidence.
Leadership and partners
- Global Principal InvestigatorRaul G. Nogueira, MD, UPMC Stroke Institute
- Clinical Coordinating and Data Managing CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh
- European Coordinating CenterUniversity of Basel
- Imaging Core LabBrainstorme, Inc.
- FundingStryker Neurovascular
For sites
Interested in joining?
Tell us about your center and we will be in touch about site selection and activation. The full protocol is shared with prospective sites on request.
Questions: doheimmf@upmc.edu