Title

Field Administration of Stroke Therapy - Magnesium (FAST-MAG) Trial
Field Administration of Stroke Therapy-Magnesium Trial: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Neuroprotective Magnesium Sulfate Therapy for Acute Stroke Initiated Within 2 Hours of Onset by Paramedics in the Field
  • Phase

    Phase 3
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    1700
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of field-initiated magnesium sulfate in improving the long-term functional outcome of patients with acute stroke.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Each year, more than 750,000 Americans suffer a symptomatic stroke.

Currently, tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke; however, its usefulness is limited because most patients cannot reach medical attention within the necessary 3-hour time window. In addition, rt-PA cannot be given in the field because it is contraindicated for treatment of patients with brain hemorrhage.

The purpose of this multi-center, randomized, double-blind trial is to demonstrate that paramedic initiation of the neuroprotective agent magnesium sulfate in the field is an effective and safe treatment for acute stroke. This study will analyze magnesium sulfate, an experimental therapy for stroke, versus placebo among ambulance-transported patients with acute stroke. This trial will also demonstrate that paramedics can safely, effectively, and rapidly start neuroprotective therapies for stroke.
Study Started
Jan 31
2005
Primary Completion
Mar 31
2013
Study Completion
Mar 31
2013
Results Posted
Aug 21
2015
Estimate
Last Update
Aug 21
2015
Estimate

Drug Magnesium Sulfate

Paramedics initiate a loading dose of 4 grams magnesium sulfate IV over 15 minutes, followed after hospital arrival by a maintenance infusion of 16 grams magnesium sulfate IV over 24 hours.

  • Other names: MA 135 magnesium sulfate heptahydrate

Drug Normal Saline

Paramedics initiate a loading dose of placebo normal saline IV over 15 minutes, followed after hospital arrival by a maintenance infusion of placebo normal saline IV over 24 hours.

  • Other names: SO155 sodium chloride

Magnesium Sulfate Experimental

Magnesium sulfate (Mg) was administered intravenously with a 15 minute bolus load followed by a 24 hour infusion. The bolus-loading dose consisted of 4 grams Mg in 54 ml normal saline. The maintenance infusion contained 16 grams Mg diluted in 240 ml 0.9% normal saline, infused at 10 ml/hr for 24 hours. Paramedics in the field initiated the bolus-loading dose, administered at 216 ml/hr over 15 minutes through a rate controlled IV infusion set. The maintenance infusion was initiated in hospital immediately upon completion of the loading dose.

Normal saline Placebo Comparator

Normal saline was administered intravenously with a 15 minute bolus load followed by a 24 hour infusion. Paramedics in the field initiated the bolus-loading dose of 54 ml normal saline, administered at 216 ml/hr over 15 minutes through a rate controlled IV infusion set. The maintenance infusion was initiated in hospital immediately upon completion of the loading dose at 10 ml/hr for 24 hours.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Suspected stroke identified by the Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen
Age 40-95, inclusive
Last known well time within 2 hours of treatment initiation
Deficit present for >/= 15 minutes

Exclusion Criteria:

Coma
Rapidly improving neurologic deficit
Pre-existing neurologic, psychiatric, or advanced systemic disease that would confound the neurological or functional outcome evaluations
Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) < 90 or > 220
Known severe renal dysfunction (on dialysis or known chronic creatinine > 3.0)
Severe respiratory distress (O2 sat < 90% or respiratory rate < 12 or >/= 24)
Known second or third degree heart block with no pacemaker in place
Major head trauma in the last 24 hours
Recent stroke within prior 30 days
Patient unable to give informed consent and no available on scene consent or assent provider

Summary

Normal Saline

Magnesium Sulfate

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Normal Saline Magnesium Sulfate

Modified Rankin Scale

Modified Rankin Scales (mRS) is a measure of global disability. Total Scale range is 0-6, with lower values indicating better outcomes. 0 No symptoms at all No significant disability despite symptoms; able to carry out all usual duties and activities Slight disability; unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance Moderate disability; requiring some help, but able to walk without assistance Moderately severe disability; unable to walk without assistance and unable to attend to own bodily needs without assistance Severe disability; bedridden, incontinent and requiring constant nursing care and attention Dead

Normal Saline

2.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 1.0 to 4.0

Magnesium Sulfate

2.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 1.0 to 5.0

Modified Rankin Score of 0 or 1

Minimal or no disability based on the modified Rankin score

Normal Saline

311.0
participants

Magnesium Sulfate

313.0
participants

Modified Rankin Score ≤2

Functional independence based on modified Rankin score

Normal Saline

445.0
participants

Magnesium Sulfate

449.0
participants

NIH Stroke Scale

The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a measure of neurologic deficit. Total Score range 0-42, with higher scores indicating greater severity. The 11 domains assessed are: 1a-c Level of consciousness 2. Best Gaze 3. Visual 4. Facial Palsy 5a. Motor left arm 5b. Motor right arm 6a. Motor left leg 6b. Motor right leg 7. Limb Ataxia 8. Sensory 9. Best Language 10. Dysarthria 11. Extinction and Inattention

Normal Saline

3.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 0.0 to 42.0

Magnesium Sulfate

3.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 0.0 to 19.0

Barthel Index

The Barthel Index is a measure of activities of daily living. Total score is calculated by addition of subscale scores. Total score range is 0-100, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. The ten subitems are: FEEDING (Subscale range is 0-10) BATHING (Subscale range is 0-5) GROOMING (Subscale range is 0-5) DRESSING (Subscale range is 0-10) BOWELS (Subscale range is 0-10) BLADDER (Subscale range is 0-10) TOILET USE (Subscale range is 0-10) TRANSFERS (Subscale range is 0-15) MOBILITY (Subscale range is 0-15) STAIRS (Subscale range is 0-10)

Normal Saline

95.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 20.0 to 100.0

Magnesium Sulfate

90.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 30.0 to 100.0

Stroke Impact Scale

The Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) is a measure of stroke-specific quality of life. The scale assesses 8 domains. Scores for each domain range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. Physical problems Memory and thinking Mood and emotions Communication, reading and understanding Daily activities Mobility at home and in the community Affected hand use Hobbies and activities participation

Normal Saline

65.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 5.4 to 91.7

Magnesium Sulfate

67.0
units on a scale (Median)
Inter-Quartile Range: 11.7 to 91.7

Serious Adverse Events

Normal Saline

422.0
participants

Magnesium Sulfate

439.0
participants

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Normal Saline

28.0
participants

Magnesium Sulfate

18.0
participants

Mortality

Normal Saline

131.0
participants

Magnesium Sulfate

132.0
participants

Total

1700
Participants

Age, Continuous

69
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 13.5

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in patients with cerebral ischemia

447
participants

Los Angeles Motor Scale at hospital arrival

3.4
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 2.3

National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at hospital arrival

11.3
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 9.9

Prestroke function - Living at home

1657
participants

Age, Customized

Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)

Final Diagnosis

Medical History

Race (NIH/OMB)

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Normal Saline

Magnesium Sulfate

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Normal Saline

Magnesium Sulfate