Introduction
In this patient-oriented study, we engage with patient partners and relevant stakeholders to understand how Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) can benefit overall patient health and wellness. CAS is surgery that widens narrowed carotid arteries(stenosis) supplying blood to the brain.

Methods
Patient partners will be recruited and fully engaged in study design, improving patient research experience, results interpretation, manuscript preparation and dissemination. Also, patients (n~10) with flow-limiting stenosis scheduled for CAS will be recruited to have 3 MRI scans - 1 before the CAS and 2 follow-up scans after CAS. Each MRI scan will be accompanied by cognitive testing. At each time-point, we will compare changes in patient-prioritized outcome measures including cognition, brain function, cerebral circulation, stroke prevention and risks reduction to improve overall health and wellness of patients. 


Results/Findings
We have successfully recruited 2 patient partners with relevant and distinct experiences since early 2019 and have engaged them in the study leading to better quality of research design by incorporating patient perspective. Team members also undertook patient-oriented research trainings that will facilitate the project. We have designed and optimized the study procedures to increase patient understanding and comfort.  Preliminary MRI results will be ready by the conference date as participant recruitment has just begun.

Discussion/Implications
This study will explore the benefits of CAS for patient wellness. We anticipate that the involvement of patient partners and relevant stakeholders will lead to relevant results that could potentially improve healthcare for patients with stroke risks.

Dissemination plan/KT Approach
Dissemination efforts will focus on medical practitioners (ward rounds, research week, pamphlets,), patients/public (information pamphlets, patient-driven talks) and academia (journal publications & conferences). Given that CAS is already standard clinical practice, knowledge translation efforts will focus on educating clinicians and patients alike of the advantages of CAS. Each team member will drive dissemination efforts towards their member focus groups.


How does this presentation demonstrate and inform patient-oriented research?
This project addresses a very patient-relevant research question that has the potential of improving the healthcare of patients with stroke risks (carotid artery stenosis) by preventing stroke occurrence, reducing stroke risk and improving cognitive function and overall patient well-being. 
During the first team meeting, both of our patient partners had emphasized that the project is relevant to their experience as stroke prevention is always advantageous compared to stroke occurrence, treatment and recovery. 
Also, our multi-disciplinary research team involves patient partners, clinicians, medical directors, neuroimaging scientists and graduate-level and medical trainees. This will aim to ensure that the research outcomes continuously take patient perspective and concerns into consideration and that the dissemination efforts will involve the focus population that will most greatly benefit from the research results leading to improved healthcare.

Acknowledgement
This study is supported by funding from the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and the presenter (BC) is supported by a Graduate Student Fellowship in Patient-Oriented Research from the BC SUPPORT Unit, Fraser Center. We also thank the BC Patient Voices Network for help with patient partner recruitment and the BC SUPPORT Unit Fraser Centre for providing graduate patient engagement training.

A patient-oriented approach to stroke prevention with improved cognitive benefits: An MRI monitoring study