International survey of Mechanical Thrombectomy Stroke systems of care during COVID-19 pandemic

Five landmark multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point clinical trials have recently demonstrated significant clinical benefit of endovascular therapy with mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting with proximal intracranial large vessel occlusions. The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) appointed an expert writing committee to summarize this new evidence and make recommendations on how these data should guide emergency endovascular therapy for AIS patients.

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Emerging therapies in acute ischemic stroke

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.21100.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 546

Author(s):

Nicholas Liaw ◽

David Liebeskind

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Collateral Circulation ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Stroke Units ◽

Emerging Therapies ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Care Models ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care

Thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy have revolutionized the care of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The number of patients who can benefit from these treatments continues to increase as new studies demonstrate that not just time since stroke onset but also collateral circulation influences outcome. Technologies such as telestroke, mobile stroke units, and artificial intelligence are playing an increasing role in identifying and treating stroke. Stroke-systems-of-care models continue to streamline the delivery of definitive revascularization in the age of mechanical thrombectomy.

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Abstract 1122‐000121: Integrated Geomapping Tool of Certified Stroke Centers in United States: A SVIN MT2020+ Committee Collaboration

Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology ◽

10.1161/svin.01.suppl_1.000121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Evan Kolesnick ◽

Alfredo Munoz ◽

Kaiz Asif ◽

Santiago Ortega‐Gutierrez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Healthcare Disparities ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Stroke Care ◽

The United States ◽

Time Dependent ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care ◽

Stroke Center

Introduction : Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and healthcare spending in the United States. Acute management of ischemic stroke is time‐dependent and evidence suggests improved clinical outcomes for patients treated at designated certified stroke centers. There is an increasing trend among hospitals to obtain certification as designated stroke centers. A common source or integrated tool providing both information and location of all available stroke centers in the US irrespective of the certifying organization is not readily available. The objective of our research is to generate a comprehensive and interactive electronic resource with combined data on all geographically‐coded certified stroke centers to assist in pre‐hospital triage and study healthcare disparities in stroke including availability and access to acute stroke care by location and population. Methods : Data on stroke center certification was primarily obtained from each of the three main certifying organizations: The Joint Commission (TJC), Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP). Geographic mapping of all stroke center locations was performed using the ArcGIS Pro application. The most current data on stroke centers is presented in an interactive electronic format and the information is frequently updated to represent newly certified centers. Utility of the tool and its analytics are shown. Role of the tool in improving pre‐hospital triage in the stroke systems of care, studying healthcare disparities and implications for public health policy are discussed. Results : Aggregate data analysis at the time of submission revealed 1,806 total certified stroke centers. TJC‐certified stroke centers represent the majority with 106 Acute Stroke Ready (ASR), 1,040 Primary Stroke Centers (PSCs), 49 Thrombectomy Capable Centers (TSCs) and 197 Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs). A total of 341 DNV‐certified programs including 36 ASRs, 162 PSCs, 16 PSC Plus (thrombectomy capable) and 127 CSCs were identified. HFAP‐certified centers (75) include 16 ASRs, 49 PSCs, 2 TSCs and 8 CSCs. A preliminary map of all TJC‐certified CSCs and TSCs is shown in the figure (1). Geospatial analysis reveals distinct areas with currently limited access to certified stroke centers and currently, access to certified stroke centers is extremely limited to non‐existent in fe States (for example: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and South Dakota). Conclusions : Stroke treatment and clinical outcomes are time‐dependent and prompt assessment and triage by EMS directly to appropriate designated stroke centers is therefore critical. A readily available electronic platform providing location and treatment capability for all nearby certified centers will enhance regional stroke systems of care, including enabling more rapid inter‐hospital transfers for advanced intervention. Identifying geographic areas of limited access to treatment can also help improve policy and prioritize the creation of a more equitable and well‐distributed network of stroke care in the United States.

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Stroke Systems of Care

Vascular Neurology Board Review ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-39605-7_20 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 185-188

Author(s):

Hardik P. Amin ◽

Joseph L. Schindler

Keyword(s):

Systems Of Care ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care

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The Powerful Benefit of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Driving Major Changes in Stroke Systems of Care and Imaging Triage

Radiology ◽

10.1148/radiol.2018180641 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 288 (2) ◽

pp. 527-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Colin Derdeyn

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care

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Abstract 45: Global Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Stroke Hospitalizations and Mechanical Thrombectomy Volumes: A Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Covid-19 International Collaboration

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.45 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Raul Nogueira ◽

Mohamad AbdalKader ◽

Muhammad Mustafa Qureshi ◽

Michael R Frankel ◽

Diogo Haussen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Control Period ◽

International Study ◽

High Volume ◽

Geographic Variations ◽

Global Impact ◽

Care Systems ◽

Low Volume

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to profound changes in both the organization of health care systems and the psychosocial behavior of the population worldwide. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak disrupted stroke systems of care merits study from a global lens. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, international study, across 6 continents, 40 countries, and 187 comprehensive stroke centers. The study objectives were to measure the global impact of the pandemic on the volumes for mechanical thrombectomy (MT), stroke and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) hospitalizations over a 3-month period at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to May 31, 2020) compared with two control 3-month periods prior (immediately preceding and one year prior). A secondary objective was to examine whether these changes in volume were impacted by COVID-19 and baseline hospital center stroke volumes. Third, we evaluated the relationships between stroke and COVID-19 diagnoses. Results: There were 26,699 stroke admissions in the 3 months immediately before compared to 21,576 admissions during the pandemic months, representing a 19.2% (95%CI,-19.7 to -18.7) decline. There were 5,191 MT procedures in the 3 months preceding compared to 4,533 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 12.7% (95%CI,-13.6 to -11.8) drop. Significant reductions were also seen in relation to the prior year control period. The decreases were noted across centers with high, intermediate, and low COVID-19 hospitalization burden, and also across high, intermediate, and low volume stroke centers. High-volume COVID-19 centers (-20.5%) had greater declines in MT volumes than mid- (-10.1%) and low-volume (-8.7%) centers. There was a 1.5% stroke rate across 54,366 COVID-19 hospitalizations. SARS-CoV-2 infection was noted in 3.9% (784/20,250) of all stroke admissions. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of overall stroke hospitalizations, MT procedures, ischemic stroke/TIA and ICH admission volumes. Despite geographic variations, these volume reductions were observed regardless of COVID-19 hospitalization burden and pre-pandemic stroke and MT volumes. Centers with higher COVID-19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines.

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Abstract WP395: Improving Data Quality for Stroke Performance Measures: A Comprehnsive and Systematic Approach to Inter Rater Reliability in Ohio

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.wp395 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Alice Liskay ◽

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Technical Assistance ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Performance Measure ◽

Easy Access ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care ◽

Data Elements ◽

Individual Hospital

Background: Ohio has been funded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Prevention Program for over ten years. This data driven program focuses on reducing stroke mortality and morbidity with emphasis on stroke systems of care throughout the continuum. Inter rater reliability is required to confirm reliability and inform quality initiatives. The objective of this study is to determine the annual inter-rater reliability, utilizing Item Specific Percent Agreement (ISPA),after comprehensive abstractor training, in 45 Ohio Coverdell hospitals. Methods: We developed a comprehensive abstraction training program which included: in-person, all-day training for abstractors and reabstractors; reference binders; Question and Answer webinars; abstraction updates at statewide tri-annual Coverdell meetings and easy access, prompt, technical assistance communications for specific questions. Results are shared with individual hospital identifying specific areas for improvement. We examined 395 randomly selected charts from 45 hospitals to determine the overall state and individual hospital ISPA during 2014 to 2015. Up to 67 national stroke performance measure and Coverdell data elements were reviewed for agreement according to eligibility. Charts were abstracted and reabstracted by hospitals using Get With the Guidelines®-Stroke and securely transmitted for analysis. The number of charts provided by hospitals was determined by the previous year’s stroke volume. The statistical package “Rstudio” was used for analysis. Results: A total of 13,528 elements were reviewed. The overall state ISPA was 94.9%, compared to 94% during 2013 to 2014. Hospital agreement scores ranged from 78.2% to 99.6%, compared to the previous 83.1% to 99% in the previous year. Conclusion: The comprehensive abstraction training program developed by Ohio Coverdell has resulted in excellent inter rater reliability scores. ISPA is a feasible method of performing inter-rater reliability.

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Abstract P278: Improving Stroke Systems of Care in Nebraska

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p278 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Marco A Gonzalez Castellon ◽

James A BOBENHOUSE ◽

David Franco ◽

Beth L Malina ◽

Mindy Cook ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Stroke ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Stroke Care ◽

The United States ◽

Advisory Council ◽

Management Tool ◽

Acute Stroke Care ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care ◽

Get With The Guidelines

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Disparities in stroke care between metropolitan and rural areas have long been recognized. Access to high-level timely stroke expertise improves outcomes, but in rural areas this is limited by sparse availability of stroke specialists. Since 2006, the Nebraska Stroke Advisory Council, a statewide coalition of stroke experts and stakeholders, began implementing strategies to improve stroke care. In 2016, the Nebraska legislature approved Bill 722, mandating the development of stroke systems of care. In 2018, the AHA and the Helmsley Charitable Trust launched Mission: Lifeline Stroke, a coordinated 3-year program to enhance stroke systems of care in Nebraska. Purpose: To assess advances in acute stroke care in Nebraska after implementing a statewide stroke system of care focused on rural areas. Methods: The Council joined with AHA to expand public and professional stroke education offerings including workshops, conferences, and EMS trainings. They developed state specific treatment guidelines and created educational reinforcement materials. From 2016 to 2019 Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG) was used for stroke data collection and quality improvement in Nebraska. GWTG participating hospitals expanded from 7 to 40 sites (21 critical access). Results: The number of stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack cases reported more than doubled from 2016 to 2019 (1848 to 3987 cases). The door to CT initiated in < 25 minutes improved by 13%. IV alteplase therapy gains included: utilization increased from 8.7% to 11.3%; median door to drug time reduced from 54 to 42 minutes; and door to drug within 60 minutes of arrival increased from 67% to 80.4%.The number of alteplase monitored patients doubled and mechanical thrombectomy cases increased from 77 in 2017 to 138 in 2019. Conclusion: Implementation of strategies in Nebraska, with an emphasis on rural critical access hospitals, led to significant improvements in acute stroke care. This work represents the authors’ independent analysis of local or multicenter data gathered using the AHA Get With The Guidelines® Patient Management Tool but is not an analysis of the national GWTG dataset and does not represent findings from the AHA GWTG National Program

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Abstract 145: Transferred Ischemic Stroke Patients Have Worse Outcomes After Endovascular Therapy

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.145 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Malik M Adil ◽

Shyam Prabhakaran

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Systems Of Care ◽

Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Transferred Patients ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care

Background and Objective: Ischemic stroke (IS) patients may require inter-facility transfer for higher level of care. Endovascular treatment is the main indication for transfer. We aimed to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes amongst transferred vs. non-transferred IS patients who undergo endovascular therapy. Methods: Patients admitted to US hospitals between 2008 and 2011 with a primary discharge diagnosis of IS were identified by ICD-9 codes (433, 434, 436 and 437.1). Mechanical embolectomy (ME) was identified using the ICD-9 procedure code 39.74 or DRG 543 and cerebral angiography (CA) day 0-1 by 88.41. Using logistic regression, we estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), in-hospital mortality, and good outcomes (discharge home or inpatient rehabilitation) among transfer vs. non-transfers, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Of 116,382 patients with IS treated with ME or CA (7.0% of all patients with IS), 10.1% were performed in transferred patients. Atrial fibrillation and hyperlipidemia was significantly higher in IS transfers. In-hospital mortality was higher among IS transfers (9.0% vs. 3.7%; p<0.001) and discharge to home or inpatient rehabilitation was less likely among transferred IS patients (70.2% vs. 80.6%; p<0.001). ICH was higher among IS transfers (4.6% vs. 1.7%; p<0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, race, presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation, renal failure, alcohol abuse, insurance status, and hospital teaching status, transferred patients had higher odds of ICH (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.8, p<0.001)] and death (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.4, p<0.001) and lower odds of discharge to home/rehabilitation (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7, p<0.001) . Conclusion: Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke may be associated with worse outcomes among inter-hospital transfer patients compared to non-transfers. Organized stroke systems of care may need to consider pre-hospital strategies to increase direct referrals to comprehensive stroke centers and inter-hospital strategies to reduce delays to treatment.

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Abstract WP280: A Potential Scoring System to Predict Infarct Progression During Inter Facility Transfer of Patients for Endovascular Thrombectomy Evaluation

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp280 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Sujan Teegala Reddy ◽

Elliott Friedman ◽

Tzu-Ching Wu ◽

Xu Zhang ◽

Jing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systems Of Care ◽

Youden Index ◽

Coefficient Estimates ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Hub And Spoke ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Stroke Systems Of Care ◽

Current Guidelines

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend CT ASPECTS≥6 as eligibility criteria for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a proven therapy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO). Infarct progression during inter-facility transfer can render many patients ineligible for EVT. We developed a score utilizing clinical and imaging variables to predict infarct progression. Methods: Patients with ACLVO transferred from a referring hospital (RH) to our EVT capable center between August 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed. Significant predictors (p<0.10) of infarct progression, defined as CT ASPECTS of ≥6 at RH to <6 at hub, were identified using a logistic regression model. Regression coefficient estimates were used to score selected variables. The optimal cut-point was selected based on evaluated Youden index. Results: A total of 132 patients were analyzed. Score ranged from 0 to theoretical limit 18 (table 1): CTA collateral score (2/3/4=0, 0/1=3), Clot location (not ICA/M2=0, M2=2, ICA/M1=3), NIHSS (0-14=0, ≥15=5), use of antiplatelet by history (Yes=0, No=3), CT ASPECTS at RH (10=0, 6-9=2). Patients with score of ≥10.0 were more likely to have infarct progression (OR=22.15, 95% CI 4.99 - 98.35, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our score utilizing clinical and imaging variables provides information on which patients with ACLVO may undergo infarct progression during inter-facility transfer. We plan to externally validate our findings in another hub and spoke network. This score may potentially aid decisions to develop stroke systems of care to triage patients with ACLVO within hub and spoke networks.

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