The results of the trial will meaningfully shape stroke prevention care at U of U Health and worldwide, the researchers say.
Based on the results, the researchers are already working to create and improve pathways for patients at the U so that people with severe narrowing of the carotids can be identified early and can more easily receive their best options for stroke prevention. This includes streamlining the process for patients who could benefit from a stent to receive one. “Our team is actively working on a pathway for how we’re going to be treating and stenting patients,” Majersik says.
Grandhi sees clinical trials as a key part of his work as a surgeon. “Working in medicine is most fundamentally about patient care, but it’s also about how we can push health care forward for everyone,” he says. “Participating in trials like this changes how we do health care-it informs us how we need to approach patients, it informs primary care doctors, and it really has such an influence on how we deliver health care. That’s something that matters to me a lot, and I’m so proud of being at University of Utah Health because we participate in trials.”
Grandhi adds that the willingness of U of U Health patients to be involved in clinical trials is a major strength of the institution.
“I think our patients are really excited to participate in trials, because they’re really nice people who feel this connection of helping maybe you and me when we’re 80 years old, and I think that’s a profound thing that we have at U of U,” Grandhi says. “Participating in this serves a higher purpose for me in terms of not only improving our patients’ lives but improving the lives of countless patients for years to come.”