Chinese acute ischemic stroke treatment outcome registry (CASTOR): protocol for a prospective registry study on patterns of real-world treatment of acute ischemic stroke in China

RATIONALE Stroke presents a serious health problem in China. Despite progresses made in recent years, there is still a lack of effective treatments for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in clinical practices. AIMS The Chinese Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Outcome Registry (CASTOR) is designed to evaluate the patterns and cost-effectiveness of current treatments for AIS in real-world settings in China. DESIGN CASTOR is a prospective, multi-center study registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02470624) with a target sample size of 10,000 patients who are experiencing AIS. The patients are treated for AIS following the Chinese stroke guideline and local practice. Real-world data on treatment regimens, outcomes and costs are collected at baseline (Visit 1) and during subsequent visits (Visit 2 to Visit 5) after medication treatments. OUTCOME The primary objective of the present study is to analyze the current treatment status of AIS in real world settings. The secondary objectives include: 1) to compare the effectiveness of common treatment regimens, 2) to analyze the cost-effectiveness of different treatment regimens for AIS, 3) to analyze the incidence of adverse events and complications in enrolled patients with AIS, 4) to analyze the effect of Trial of Org 10,172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification on the specific therapies during acute phase treatment period. DISCUSSION In face of changing treatment patterns and increasing demand from medical insurers for cost-effectiveness data in China, a large-scale registry study examining the real-world patterns of AIS in hospitals is needed. The CASTOR study will help to find favorable cost-utility treatment regimens for AIS and improve the overall treatment outcome of Chinese patients with AIS.