scholarly journals Telestroke in Northern Alberta: A Two Year Experience with Remote Hospitals

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khurshid Khan ◽  
Ashfaq Shuaib ◽  
Tammy Whittaker ◽  
Maher Saqqur ◽  
Thomas Jeerakathil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Local Physician ◽  
Video Link

AbstractBackground:Thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke is usually performed in comprehensive stroke centres. Lack of stroke expertise in remote small hospitals may preclude thrombolysis. Telemedicine allows such management opportunities in distant hospitals.Methods:We report our experience in managing acute stroke over a two-year time period with telestroke. The University of Alberta Hospital acted as the ‘hub’ and seven remote hospitals as ‘spoke’. The neurologist at the ‘hub’ provided stroke expertise to the local physician using either a two-way video link or telephone. Cranial CT scans were transmitted to ‘hub’. Education sessions were held before the initiation of the program.Results:Of 210 patients 44 (21%) received thrombolysis at the ‘spoke’ sites. In 34/44 (77%) two-way video link was available while in 10/44 (23%) telephone was used. Five (11.4%) patients experienced intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolysis, 2 (4.5%) were symptomatic. Favorable (mRS=0-1) outcome at three months was 16/40 (40%) and mortality was 9/40 (22.5%). Four patients were lost to follow-up. There was no significant three months outcome difference between two-way video link and telephone consultation (P = 0.689). Over two years the number of acute stroke transfers decreased from 144 to 15 at one of the ‘spoke’ sites, a 92.5% decline.Conclusion:It is possible to successfully treat patients with acute ischemic stroke at remote sites through videoconferencing or telephone consultation. Telestroke can also lead to a significant reduction in the number of patients requiring transfer to a tertiary care centre.

Abstract W P287: Does Comprehensive Stroke Certification Demonstrate a Significant Effect on Volume and Quality of Care?

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie Paletz ◽  
Shlee Song ◽  
Nili Steiner ◽  
Betty Robertson ◽  
Nicole Wolber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Joint Commission ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Introduction/Background information: At the onset of acute stroke symptoms, speed, capability, safety and skill are essential-lost minutes can be the difference between full recoveries, poor outcome, or even death. The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Comprehensive Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. While many hospitals have been surveyed, Cedars Sinai was the 5 th hospital in the nation to receive this certification. Researchable question: Does Comprehensive stroke certification (CSC) demonstrate a significant effect on volume and quality of care? Methods: We assembled a cross-functional, multidisciplinary expert team representing all departments and skill sets involved in treating stroke patients. We carefully screened eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke We assessed the number of patients treated at Cedars-Sinai with IV-T-pa t 6 months before and then 6 months after CSC and the quality of their care including medical treatment and door to needle time. Results: In the 6 months prior to Joint Commissions Stroke Certification we treated 20 of 395acute stroke patients with t-PA with an average CT turnaround time of 31±19minutes and an average Door to needle time (DTNT) of 68±32minutes. In the 6 months since Joint Commission Stroke Certification we have increased the number of acute stroke patients treated by almost double. There were 37 out of 489(P=0.02, Chi Square) patients treated with IV t-PA with an average CT turnaround time of 22±7minutes (p=0.08, t-test, compared to pre-CSC) and an average DTNT of 61± 23minutes (not different than pre-CSC). Conclusion: We conclude that Joint Commission Certification for stroke was associated with an increased rate of treatment with IV rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke patients. We were not able to document an effect on quality of care. Further studies of the impact of CSC certification are warranted.

Abstract TP151: Association of Splenic Contraction And Development of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia M Zha ◽  
Bhargav Tippinayani ◽  
Jaskaren Randhawa ◽  
Nicole J Pariseau ◽  
Farhaan S Vahidy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Systemic Inflammatory Response ◽  
Secondary Brain Injury ◽  
Stroke Patients

Background: Animal models have demonstrated the deleterious contribution that immunocytes from the spleen exert on secondary brain injury after stroke. While previous work has demonstrated that there is splenic contraction (SC) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), no clinical studies have connected the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) with SC. We aim to associate SIRS and its individual components with SC in acute stroke Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a previous prospective observational study where daily spleen sizes were evaluated in 178 acute stroke patients in a tertiary care center from 2010-2013. Spleen contraction was defined compared to previously established normograms of healthy volunteers from the same study. SIRS was defined as the presence of 2 or more of the following: body temperature <36 or >38C, heart rate >90 beats, respiratory rate >20, and serum white blood cell count >12,000 or <4000 mm3 in the absence of infection. SC was evaluated in patients at 24 and 72 hrs after AIS with SIRS as a primary outcome. Results: 91 patients had verified AIS without concurrent infection at admission and 70 of these patients remained inpatient at 72 hrs. SIRS was not associated with admission SC at 24hr and 72 hrs. Patients with SIRS at 24 and 72 hrs were more likely to have higher admission NIHSS. SIRS was associated with higher discharge mRS (OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.64-10.9, p=0.0028) and PEG placement (OR 3.70, 95% CI 0.95-15.11, p=0.05). 16 patients (22.9%) developed SIRS by 72hrs, only 5 of whom had SC initially. 28 patients (47%) had SIRS on admission that persisted, 12 of whom had SC. SC was not associated with SIRS at 72 hrs (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.35-2.79, p = 0.92). 14 patients (15%) developed infections while hospitalized, of which 85% had SIRS on admission. Conclusion: Based on our initial evaluation, SC detected within 24 hrs of stroke onset is not associated with SIRS suggesting that the relationship between the two may be more complicated in humans. Consistent with prior studies, however, SIRS is associated with worse outcome. Further studies and additional time points are necessary to further clarify the role of the spleen in the development of SIRS in stroke patients.

scholarly journals Advanced Age and Higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score as Predictors of Poor Outcome in Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Alteplase: A Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Rural North-west India

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 236-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Bhardwaj ◽  
Girish Sharma ◽  
Sunil Kumar Raina ◽  
Ashish Sharma ◽  
Monica Angra
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Nihss Score ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
The Poor

ABSTRACT Introduction: Thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke has been approved for treatment of acute stroke for past two decades. However, identification of predictors of poor outcome after the intravenous (IV) alteplase therapy in acute stroke patients is a matter of research. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying poor prognostic factors in patients of acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: The data of 31 acute stroke patients treated with alteplase were gathered to identify the factors that were independent predictors of the poor outcome. Outcome was dichotomized using modified Rankin scale (mRS) score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 3 months after treatment into good outcome mRS - 0–2 and poor outcome mRS - 3–6. Predictors of poor outcome were analyzed. Results: Good outcome (mRS – score 0–2) was seen in 15 (48.4%) patients with median age of (60) and poor outcome (mRS – score 3–6) was seen in 16 (51.6%) patients median age of 75 years, which was statistically significant with the P = 0.002. The presence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, alcohol intake, history of stroke, coronary artery disease, and rheumatic heart disease among the two groups did not seem influence outcome. The severity of stroke as assessed by NIHSS score at the time of presentation was significantly higher among the patients with poor outcome, with P = 0.01. Conclusion: Advance age and higher NIHSS score at the time of onset of stroke and are the independent predictors of the poor outcome after thrombolysis with IV alteplase treatment in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Initial high rate of misdiagnosis in Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever patients in an endemic region of Turkey

2009 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. TASDELEN FISGIN ◽  
L. DOGANCI ◽  
E. TANYEL ◽  
N. TULEK
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Epidemic Area ◽  
Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

SUMMARYCrimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been an emerging tick-borne infection in some parts of Turkey since 2002, with a number of fatalities. Many of the initial non-specific symptoms of CCHF can mimic other common infections. Additionally, the seasonal pattern of the epidemic, and the waning attention of healthcare workers to the yearly index cases caused some delays in appropriate patient care and treatment. Between March 2004 and August 2008, 140 confirmed adult cases were evaluated retrospectively for initial diagnosis and treatment delays. This study clearly demonstrated that there are particular delays (4·8 days) in the referral system to initiate effective antiviral treatment in the tertiary-care centre which significantly affect fatality rates (P>0·05). A large number of patients (n=95, 68%) received an initial misdiagnosis of various infections other than CCHF. In conclusion, continuous medical education regarding CCHF in the epidemic area is essential in order to achieve a better survival rate from this deadly infection.

Abstract TP208: Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) - An Overlooked Modifiable Risk Factor in Acute Stroke Care

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishal Shah ◽  
Ashrai Gudlavalleti ◽  
Julius G Latorre
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Sleep Disordered Breathing ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factor ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Disordered Breathing

Introduction: In patients with acute stroke, part of the acute management entails identifying the risk factors; modifiable or non modifiable. Early recognition of these factors is essential for optimizing therapeutic procedures, especially those with a known effective treatment. In this sense, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) has also been suggested as a modifiable and independent risk factor for stroke as defined by international guidelines and some studies have demonstrated that patients with stroke and particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) have an increased risk of death or new vascular events. Pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in SDB is probably related to worsening of existing cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and hypoxia driven cardiac arrhythmia leading to higher prevalence of ischemic stroke in patients with sleep disordered breathing disease. Despite strong evidence linking SDB to ischemic stroke, evaluation for SDB is rarely performed in patients presenting with an acute ischemic stroke. Hypothesis: Evaluation of SDB is rarely performed in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients above the age of 18 who were admitted to the acute stroke service at University Hospital July 2014 to December 2014. Demographic data, etiology of stroke as identified per TOAST criteria, modifiable risk factors, presenting NIHSS and frequency of testing for SDB and their results were collected. The data was consolidated and tabulated by using STATA version 14. Results: Total of 240 patients satisfied our inclusion criteria. Only 24 patients ie 10% of those who satisfied our inclusion criteria received evaluation for SDB. Out of those evaluated, 62.5% ie 15 patients out of 24 patients had findings concerning for significant desaturation. Only 2 providers out of 8 stroke physicians ie 25% tested for SDB in more than 5 patients. Conclusions: Our observations highlight the paucity in evaluation for SDB in acute ischemic stroke in a tertiary care setting. Being a modifiable risk factor, greater emphasis must be placed on evaluation for SDB in patients in patients with acute stroke. Education must be provided to all patients and providers regarding identification of these factors.

Abstract 10: Predictors of Poor Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients after Successful Recanalization

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy K Starosciak ◽  
Italo Linfante ◽  
Gail Walker ◽  
Osama O Zaidat ◽  
Alicia C Castonguay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Rescue Therapy ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
Poor Outcome

Background: Recanalization of the occluded artery is a powerful predictor of good outcome in acute ischemic stroke secondary to large artery occlusions. Mechanical thrombectomy with stent-trievers results in higher recanalization rates and better outcomes compared to previous devices. However, despite successful recanalization rates (Treatment in Cerebral Infarction, TICI, score ≥ 2b) between 70 and 90%, good clinical outcomes assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 2 is present in 40-50% of patients . We aimed to evaluate predictors of poor outcomes (mRS > 2) despite successful recanalization (TICI ≥ 2b) in the acute stroke patients treated with the Solitaire device of the North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke (NASA) registry. Methods: The NASA registry is a multicenter, non-sponsored, physician-conducted, post-marketing registry on the use of SOLITAIRE FR device in 354 acute, large vessel, ischemic stroke patients. Logistic regression was used to evaluate patient characteristics and treatment parameters for association with 90-day mRS score of 0-2 (good outcome) versus 3-6 (poor outcome) within patients who were recanalized successfully (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction or TICI score 2b-3). Univariate tests were followed by development of a multivariable model based on stepwise selection with entry and retention criteria of p < 0.05 from the set of factors with at least marginal significance (p ≤ 0.10) on univariate analysis. The c-statistic was calculated as a measure of predictive power. Results: Out of 354 patients, 256 (72.3%) were successfully recanalized (TICI ≥ 2b). Based on 90-day mRS score for 234 of these patients, there were 116 (49.6%) with mRS > 2. Univariate analysis identified increased risk of mRS > 2 for each of the following: age ≥ 80 years (upper quartile of data), occlusion site other than M1/M2, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 18 (median), history of diabetes mellitus (DM), TICI = 2b, use of rescue therapy, not using a balloon-guided catheter (BGC) or intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA), and time to recanalization > 30 minutes (all p ≤ 0.05). Three or more passes was marginally significant (p=0.097). In multivariable analysis, age ≥ 80 years, site other than M1/M2, initial NIHSS ≥18, DM, absence of IV t-PA, use of rescue therapy and three or more passes were significant independent predictors of poor 90-day outcome in a model with good predictive power (c-index = 0.80). Conclusions: Age, occlusion site, high NIHSS, diabetes, not receiving IV t-PA, use of rescue therapy and three or more passes, were associated with poor 90-day outcome despite successful recanalization.

Abstract P119: Factors Influencing Door to Needle Administration for Acute Stroke Patients in the Emergency Department

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolle W Davis ◽  
Meghan Bailey ◽  
Natalie Buchwald ◽  
Amreen Farooqui ◽  
Anna Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Iv Tpa

Background/Objective: There is growing importance on discovering factors that delay time to intervention for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, as rapid intervention remains essential for better patient outcomes. The management of these patients involves a multidisciplinary effort and quality improvement initiatives to safely increase treatment with intravenous thrombolytic (IV tPa). The objective of this pilot is to evaluate factors of acute stroke care in the emergency department (ED) and the impact they have on IV tPa administration. Methods: A sample of 89 acute ischemic stroke patients that received IV tPa from a single academic medical institution was selected for retrospective analysis. System characteristics (presence of a stroke nurse and time of day) and patient characteristics (mode of arrival and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS) on arrival) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to address the study question. Results: The mean door to needle time is 53.74 minutes ( + 38.06) with 74.2% of patients arriving to the ED via emergency medical services (EMS) and 25.8% having a stroke nurse present during IV tPa administration. Mode of arrival ( p = .001) and having a stroke nurse present ( p = .022) are significant predictors of door to needle time in the emergency department (ED). Conclusion: While many factors can influence door to needle times in the ED, we did not find NIHSS on arrival or time of day to be significant factors. Patients arriving to the ED by personal vehicle will have a significant delay in IV tPa administration, therefore emphasizing the importance of using EMS. Perhaps more importantly, collaborative efforts including the addition of a specialized stroke nurse significantly decreased time to IV tPa administration for AIS patients. With this dedicated role, accelerated triage and more effective management of AIS patients is accomplished, leading to decreased intervention times and potentially improving patient outcomes.

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