Abstract NS7: Presenting Symptoms and Response to Dysphagia Screen Predict Unfavorable Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Who Do Not Receive IV tPA Due to Mild and Rapidly Improving Stroke Symptoms
Background & Purpose: Studies have shown that patients who do not receive IV t-PA due to mild and rapidly improving stroke symptoms (MaRISS) are often not discharged home. The purpose of this study was to identify whether presenting symptoms and response to initial dysphagia screen can predict which patients not treated with IV tPA due to MaRISS have an unfavorable outcome. Methods: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting to hospitals participating in the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry and not treated with IV t-PA due to MaRISS alone from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2013 were included in this analysis. Patients who were unable to ambulate or needed assistance to ambulate prior to admission were excluded. Presenting symptoms and response to dysphagia screen were collected from retrospective chart review at participating hospitals. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with a lower likelihood of favorable outcome, defined as discharge to home. During the study period, < 1% of patients presenting to participating hospitals with MaRISS within the 3 hour time window received IV t-PA. Results: Of 841 AIS patients who did not receive IV-tPA due to MaRISS [median NIHSS 1 (Q1-Q3: 0-3)], 160 (19%) did not have a favorable outcome. Factors associated with lower likelihood of a favorable outcome included increasing NIHSS score (per unit OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.93), weakness as the presenting symptom (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.84), and a failed dysphagia screen (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.80). Conclusion: Nearly 1 in 5 AIS patients presenting with MaRISS were not discharged to home. Among AIS patients who present with MaRISS and do not receive IV thrombolytic therapy, baseline characteristics including increasing NIHSS score and weakness as a presenting symptom, and a failed dysphagia screen were all associated with a lower likelihood of discharge to home. Given the low rate of patients presenting during the study period, a prospective randomized trial to evaluate IV t-PA treatment focusing on this subgroup of patients is warranted.