Category: News

The research team at Imperial College London took PRESTIGE-AF to The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Imperial Research Open Day in November. The many doctors, nurses, patients and visitors that were at Hammersmith Hospital (London, UK) were attracted to the PRESTIGE-AF stand.

The PRESTIGE-AF stand quickly immerse visitors in challenging their brains (pun intended) to identify types of strokes via MRI and CGI images and linking these to stroke physical symptoms and, if not rectified, its permanent impacts. The task was tricky but any stressed caused was quickly diminished by the squeezy stress-brain ball giveaways!

It was great to see so many different people eager to learn more about what the PRESTIGE-AF clinical studies are set to achieve and the process of patient recruitment into such trials. Helping to raise public awareness about the PRESTIGE-AF project alongside helping people identify the symptoms and impacts of stroke is a passion for the team.

On 27th September, PRESTIGE-AF researchers from Imperial College London connected with hundreds of museum-goers at the Natural History Museum after-hours for a festival of science. As part of other Horizon2020 projects showcasing, PRESTIGE-AF were in the ‘EU Pub’ where the public had one-on-one access to ask questions and connect in deep conversations about the EU-funded project.

It was incredible to be part of the ‘world wild webs’, as was the theme for the night and bring the project to an engaged and curious audience.

Time to focus on a partner organisation of PRESTIGE-AF. Collaborating in a major, pan-European research project is no small feat. Our partners are what make the research come to life, and it is only fair to regularly bring under the spotlight, the dedicated and passionate researchers behind PRESTIGE-AF. The ‘partner in focus’ this time around is Universitaetsklinikum Wuerzburg (UKW). Located in Germany, UKW is closely linked with The University of Würzburg and its Medical Faculty as clinics, preclinical and clinico-theoretical institutes work together closely in the field of science and research.

What does it mean for you and your team to be part of this EU-funded project? What are the highlights? The challenges?

Stroke is one of the most frequent causes of death, and its prevention presents a considerable challenge for research. The PRESTIGE-AF trial brings together top-ranking researchers in the field of stroke research and is precisely working on this challenge. The fact that the EU funds the PRESTIGE-AF trial makes it possible to pool capacities of all consortium partners for such research efforts. The collaborative effort of all contributing parties, in particular, enabled us to develop new scientific and innovative ideas, which are realised in the form of PRESTIGE-AF substudies, and represent a highlight of the project. Through the cooperation, the consortium partners benefit from each others’ expertise, which also gives us the opportunity to look at situations from a different perspective. This unique opportunity to cooperate with many partners at the same time also represents a challenge, as it demands great communication skills to consider each partner’s ideas. It is an exceptional opportunity for us to be part of such an amazing international research collaboration.

Tell us more about your team working in PRESTIGE-AF. Who are they and what are they working on?

Our team at the University Clinics Wuerzburg (UKW) includes project managers, data managers, and biostatisticians. With professionals from different areas and years of experience conducting clinical trials, we support the Sponsor Imperial College as Clinical Trial Support Center in the implementation, execution, and completion of the PRESTIGE-AF trial providing support in the areas project management, data management, monitoring, as well as biometrics. Our project management activities include, among others, regulatory advice, development of documents, and execution oversight. Besides project management support, the development of a validated database system in compliance with the ICH E9 guideline and other regulatory requirements is one of our central tasks, so that valid data can be provided for analysis at the end of the trial. During the course of the trial, we will oversee clinical monitoring in France, UK, Italy, and Spain, and will monitor the sites in Germany and Austria. We also developed the statistical analysis plan, perform the final statistical analysis at the end of the trial, and participate in the Steering Committee. Therefore, our project management team, our data management team, and our statistician are involved in PRESTIGE-AF trial and working closely together with the sponsor and the consortium partners.

How did UKW get involved in PRESTIGE-AF2020?

As Clinical Trial Support Center of the UKW, we focus specifically on the conduct of investigator-initiated clinical trials. Due to previous cooperation with the project coordinator and the Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry (ICE-B) of the University Wuerzburg, it was obvious to bring in our expertise in the PRESTIGE-AF trial as well.

What is UKW main motivation to participate in international collaborations such as PRESTIGE-AF2020?

Our goal is to accompany the project partners throughout all steps of the clinical trial and to enable the successful start-up, execution, and completion of the trial. It drives our motivation that PRESTIGE-AF allows us to learn from partners in other countries, to gain a deeper insight into their processes and structures, to exchange experiences, and develop innovative ideas together. The new contacts with the consortium partners are also of great value for possible future collaborations in the clinical field at the end of the PRESTIGE-AF trial. We live Europe, through such projects.

On the 14th December 2018, members of the PRESTIGE-AF Consortium travelled from across Europe to our year one annual meeting, held in the majestic 170 Queen’s Gate in the grounds of Imperial College London.

During the one-day meeting, the attendees discussed administrative, legal, financial and operational aspects of the project and we also welcomed two members of the  Expert External Advisory Board (EEAB) for the first time. The Coordinator (Imperial)  led the process, providing a framework for discussion while ensuring that all attendees were made aware of the project’s ambitions, scope, and obligations.

Professor Roland Veltkamp kicked-off the meeting by clearly summarising the objectives and aims of PRESTIGE-AF, whereby scientists and clinicians across Europe have been brought together to reduce the risk of further Stroke in this group of patients.

The day was a great success which allowed collaborative learning and exchange of information. Plans have already begun for our year two annual meeting, scheduled to take place at the end of 2019.

Following the successful bid for funding from the European Commission, the PRESTIGE-AF Consortium members came together for the project’s kick-off meeting which took place on Wednesday 6^th December 2017 and hosted by Imperial College London.

Representatives from each of the project’s partner institutions travelled to London to attend the first annual meeting of this exciting new initiative, which aims to help prevent stroke in patients with existing conditions.

Held at the historic Royal Geographical Society, some of the world’s leading experts began discussions centred on the design and delivery of the first steps to begin their research to achieve the project goals.

Our Principal Investigator Professor Roland Veltkamp said: “Prevention of stroke is challenging in vulnerable stroke patients with multiple disorders and interacting risks. It’s this complexity that makes it difficult to work out the best individual preventive strategy for a particular patient. Working with our international partners through the PRESTIGE-AF initiative we hope to tackle some of the unmet needs of these patients and develop more personalised treatments. Prevention is key, and ultimately we aim to prevent stroke and the impact it has on patients’ lives.”

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For more information about PRESTIGE-AF, please contact us.