Abstract 80: Left Atrial Structural and Functional Parameters in Ischemic Stroke Patients Show Differences in Cardioembolic versus Embolic Strokes of Unknown Source (ESUS) and Other Determined Causes: Rethinking Whether ESUS Patients Should be Treated as Cardioembolic Equivalents

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Winningham ◽  
Srikant Rangaraju ◽  
Ghada A Mahmoud ◽  
Syed Ali Raza ◽  
Maggie Salinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Cardiac Monitoring ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Functional Parameters ◽  
Unknown Source ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Stroke Center

Background: The role of anticoagulation in patients with embolic strokes of unknown source (ESUS) remains controversial. Left atrial (LA) structural and functional parameters on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) may predict ESUS patients who are likely to develop subsequent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Hypothesis: LA parameters in ESUS patients will be similar to cardioembolic (CE) stroke patients and different from patients with strokes due to other determined cause (ODC). Methods: Patients admitted to a stroke center from June 1 to November 30, 2015 with acute ischemic stroke were included in this analysis. Baseline characteristics and results of inpatient diagnostic workup including neuroimaging, echocardiography, and cardiac telemetry were reviewed retrospectively to classify patients into three subtypes: CE, ODC or ESUS. LA diameter, LA volume index (LAVI), mitral valve early (MV E) and late filling peak (MV Peak A) velocities were compared between the 3 subtypes. Results: Of 131 patients (mean age 67 ± 16, 47% female, 45% white), 35 (27%) were classified as CE, 62 (47%) ODC and 34 (26%) ESUS. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups except that ODC patients were less likely to be female than CE and ESUS patients (p=0.05). LAVI, MV E and MV Peak A were all significantly different in CE compared with ODC and ESUS patients (p<0.05), with LA diameter showing a trend toward significance (p=0.058) (Figure). ESUS patients had LA diameter, LAVI, MV E and MV Peak A that were more similar to ODC than CE patients. Conclusions: LA structural and functional parameters among CE patients in our cohort were significantly different from those of ESUS and ODC patients, suggesting that ESUS patients may have lower risk of AF (and therefore lower likelihood of benefit from preemptive anticoagulation). Our study suggests that ESUS patients may benefit from long-term cardiac monitoring prior to initiation of anticoagulation therapy.

P765 Does detection of thrombus in left atrial appendage increase risk of ischemic stroke and mortality?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Kagawa ◽  
M Kato ◽  
N Oda ◽  
E Kunita ◽  
M Nagai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Atrial Appendage ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Free Rate

Abstract Background Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is one of causes of cardiogenic stroke and detection of LAA thrombus by transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) strongly suggest cardiogenic stroke. It was reported that cardiogenic stroke patients had higher in-hospital mortality about 19%; however, little is known about LAA thrombus and mortality after indexed detection of LAA thrombus. We investigated LAA thrombus detection and their prognosis including ischemic stroke and survival. Methods The patients who were performed TOE between 2005 and 2016 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on thrombus detection in the LAA, and baseline characteristics and outcomes including prevalence of 5-y stroke-free and survival from the indexed TOE were compared. Results Among the 1260 study patients, the follow-up duration was median 971 d (interquartile range 345 d – 2017 d), and 67% of the patients were performing TOE for atrial fibrillation (AF), 20% for cerebral infarction, and 14% for valvular heart disease. Non-valvular AF was seen in 64% of the study patients and rheumatic AF was in 2%. The age (74 y [66 y – 79 y] vs 70 y [62 y – 76 y], p &lt; 0.001), the prevalence of male sex (67% vs 69%, p = 0.63), and hemoglobin level (13.9 g/dl [12.5 – 15.1 g/dl] vs 13.8 g/dl [12.4 – 14.9 g/dl], p = 0.49) were similar between the patients with LAA thrombus and those without. The CHA2DS2-VASc score (p = 0.008), the prevalence of receiving anticoagulation before TOA (34% vs 24%, p = 0.01), those of after TOA (98% vs 66%, p &lt; 0.001), serum creatinine (0.92 mg/dl [0.80 – 1.10 mg/dl] vs 0.85 mg/dl [0.71 – 1.00 mg/dl], p &lt; 0.001), d-dimer level (1.7 mcg/ml [0.9 – 3.5 mcg/ml] vs 0.8 mcg/ml [0.5 – 2.2 mcg/ml], p &lt; 0.001), and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (315 pg/ml [128 – 515 pg/ml] vs 126 pg/ml [47 – 284 pg/ml], p &lt; 0.001) were higher in the patients with LAA thrombus than those without. The 5-y ischemic stroke-free rate was lower in the patients with LAA thrombus than those without (p &lt; 0.001) (Figure, Panel A); however, the 5-y survival was similar between the 2 groups (p = 0.93) (Panel B). Conclusions The patients who were detected thrombus in the LAA had higher incidence of ischemic stroke, but the survival rate were similar. The higher rate of receiving anticoagulation therapy in the patients with LAA thrombus may be the cause of this discrepancy. Further studies are necessary to clarify this issue. Abstract P765 Figure

Abstract WMP118: Anticoagulation Therapy Reduces Recurrent Stroke in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) Patients With Elevated Coagulation Markers or Severe Left Atrial Enlargement

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kishan S Patel ◽  
Michael Liu ◽  
Srikant Rangaraju ◽  
Deandrea Ellis ◽  
Alexander Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Cardiac Monitoring ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Left Atrial Enlargement ◽  
Atrial Enlargement

Introduction: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) and markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation (MOCHA) have previously been shown to identify ESUS patients who are more likely to have subsequent diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF), malignancy or recurrent strokes. The objective of this study was to evaluate if anticoagulation therapy reduces recurrent stroke in ESUS patients with LAE or abnormal MOCHA. Methods: Consecutive ESUS patients seen in the Emory Clinic from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019, underwent outpatient cardiac monitoring and the MOCHA profile (serum d-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complex and fibrin monomer) obtained ≥ 2 weeks after the index stroke. All patients were on antiplatelet therapy at the time of testing. Anticoagulation was offered to patients with an abnormal MOCHA (≥ 2 elevated markers) or severe LAE (LA volume index >40 ml/m 2 ). Patients were evaluated for AF, malignancy, recurrent stroke or hemorrhage at routine clinical follow-up. We compared this patient cohort (cohort 2) to a historical cohort (cohort 1) who underwent the same protocol but remained on antiplatelet therapy during follow-up. Results: Baseline characteristics and endpoints are shown in the Table. Overall 46 (23%) patients in Cohort 2 initiated anticoagulation based on abnormal MOCHA or severe LAE. Cohort 2 had significantly lower rates of recurrent stroke than cohort 1 (14% vs. 3%, p=0.008) with no major hemorrhages. Conclusion: Anticoagulation therapy in a subgroup of ESUS patients with abnormal MOCHA or severe LAE may be associated with a reduced rate of recurrent stroke. A prospective, multicenter study is warranted to validate these results.

Abstract WP256: Atrial Fibrillation Predicting Factors in Transient and Minor Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Muchada Lopez ◽  
Jorge Pagola ◽  
Jesus Juega ◽  
Jaume Francisco-Pascual ◽  
Alejandro Bustamante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Minor Stroke ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Left Atrial Strain ◽  
Minor Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Atrial Strain

Introduction and Purpose: Our aim was to review the characteristics of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor ischemic stroke patients monitored for atrial fibrillation (AF) epidoses detection within the first 4weeks after stroke to assess AF predictors. Materials and Methods: TIA and minor ischemic stroke patients (nihss≤ 5) were selected from CRYPTO-AF database. CRYPTO-AF is a prospective multicentre registry of patients with cryptogenic stroke older of 55 year-old. Monitoring started within the first 72 hours from stroke symptoms onset and was prolonged for 4 weeks. Clinical, cardiographic and blood test parameters of patients included were reviewed. Fisher exact and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyze categorical and continuous data. Results: In our cohort of 152 transient and minor ischemic stroke patients, 55.9% were men, mean age 73.18±10.24 and median NIHSS score was 2.31(0-5). A total of 30 patients (20.3%) were diagnosed with AF in the first month of monitoring, 6 patients (5.7%) within the first 3 days, 14 patients (13.3%) between 3 days and to 2 weeks of monitoring, and 14 partientes (12.4%) between the second and the fourth week. In these transient and minor ischemic stroke patients, age (p< 0.031), left atrial volume index (p< 0.023), the appearance of isolated extrasystoles during monitoring (p< 0.021), Type B natriuretic peptide (p< 0.011) and the longitudinal strain (p< 0.019) appeared as independet precitors of AF. However in the multivariate analysis adjusted for the above variables, only left atrial strain (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.797-0.991, p< 0.034) independently predicts AF detection. Conclusions: In our serie, only the left atrial strain appeared as a indepent predictor of AF. Given the known pathophysiology of TIA and minor ischemic stroke, the description of AF predictors would help to identify those patients who would benefit from completing a longer monitoring. More studies are needed to identify these predictors.

Referral facility CT perfusion prior to inter-facility transfer in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 818-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Aghaebrahim ◽  
Eric Sauvageau ◽  
Pedro Aguilar-Salinas ◽  
Gustavo Cortez ◽  
Roberta Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Ct Perfusion ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Baseline Characteristics ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Group 1

Background and purposeThe use of CT perfusion (CTP) imaging at a referring hospital is feasible and may shorten the door to puncture time for patients with acute ischemic stroke.MethodsWe conducted a single center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of consecutive ischemic stroke patients transferred to our center for consideration of endovascular therapy. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of patients transferred from facilities where CTP (using automated RAPID software) was routinely performed and group 2 consisted of patients transferred from facilities that did not perform perfusion imaging.ResultsWe identified a total of 132 patients, all of whom were transferred to our center, from April 2014 to April 2017. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. A total of 34 patients were transferred from a facility after CTP (group 1) and 98 were transferred from a facility with no CTP (group 2). Door to puncture time was significantly shorter for patients in group 1 compared with those in group 2 (median 12 (IQR 8–16) min and 48.5 (32.8–71.8) min, respectively; P<0.001). Despite obtaining additional pre-transfer imaging in group 1, there was no difference in door in and door out times at the referring facilities compared with group 2.ConclusionsWe found that triaging from a primary stroke center after CTP RAPID was feasible and significantly reduced the door to puncture time without any significant delay in the transfer process.

Consideration of non-valvular atrial fibrillation with left atrial appendage thrombus formation despite under appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Shiraki ◽  
H Tanaka ◽  
K Yamashita ◽  
Y Tanaka ◽  
K Sumimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently sustained cardiac arrhythmia, with a prevalence of about 2–3% in the general population. In accordance with CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc score, appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) significantly reduced the risk of thromboembolic events. However, left atrial (LA) thrombus can be detected in the LA appendage (LAA) in AF patients despite appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. Purpose Our purpose was to investigate the associated factors of LAA thrombus formation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients despite under appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. Methods We retrospectively studied consecutive 286 NVAF patients for scheduled catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion for AF in our institution between February 2017 and September 2019. Mean age was 67.1±9.4 years, 79 patients (29.5%) were female, and 140 (52.2%) were paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography before catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion. All patients received appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy including warfarin or DOAC for at least 3 weeks prior to transesophageal echocardiography based on the current guidelines. LAA thrombus was defined as an echodense intracavitary mass distinct from the underlying endocardium and not caused by pectinate muscles by at least three senior echocardiologists. Results Of 286 NVAF patients with under appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy, LAA thrombus was observed in 9 patients (3.3%). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, paroxysmal AF, CHADS2 score ≥3, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), LA volume index (LAVI), mitral inflow E and mitral e' annular velocities ratio (E/e'), and LAA flow were associated with LAA thrombus formation. It was noteworthy that multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAA flow was independent predictor of LAA thrombus (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59–0.89, p&lt;0.005) as well as LVEF. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified the optimal cutoff value of LAA flow for predicting LAA thrombus as ≤15cm/s, with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 93%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95. Conclusions LAA flow was strongly associated with LAA thrombus formation even in NVAF patients with appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. According to our findings, further strengthen of oral anticoagulation therapy or percutaneous transcatheter closure of the LAA may be considered in NVAF patients with appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy but low LAA flow, especially &lt;15cm/s. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Abstract 3313: Outcomes of “Drip-and-Ship” Paradigm Among Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. Results of a State Wide Study

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saqib A Chaudhry ◽  
Gustavo J Rodriguez ◽  
M. Fareed K Suri ◽  
Adnan I Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Hospital Charges ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Background: “Drip-and-ship” denotes patients in whom intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is initiated at the emergency department (ED) of a community hospital, followed by transfer within 24 hours to a comprehensive stroke center. Although drip-and-ship paradigm has the potential to increase the number of patients who receive IV rt-PA, comparative outcomes have not been assessed at a population based level. Methods: State-wide estimates of thrombolysis, associated in-hospital outcomes and mortality were obtained from 2008-2009 Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) data. Patient numbers and frequency distributions were calculated for state-wide sample of patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Patients outcomes were analyzed after stratification into patients treated with IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival or drip-and-ship paradigm. Results: Of the 21,024 admissions, 602 (2.86%) received IV rt-PA either through primary ED arrival (n=473) or drip-and-ship paradigm (n=129). The rates of secondary intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage were higher in patients treated with IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival compared with those treated with drip-and-ship paradigm (8.5% versus 3.1, p=0.038). The in-hospital mortality rate was similar among ischemic stroke patients receiving IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival or drip-and-ship paradigm (5.9% versus 7.0%). The mean hospital charges were $65,669 for primary ED arrival and $47,850 for drip-and-ship treated patients (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of drip-and-ship paradigm compare favorably with IV rt-PA treatment through primary ED arrival in this state-wide study.

Abstract 83: Etiology of Late Right-to-Left Shunting on Transcranial Doppler in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam de Havenon ◽  
Anne Moore ◽  
Nicholas Freeberg ◽  
Ali Sultan-Qurraie ◽  
David Tirschwell
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Transcranial Doppler ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Contrast Injection ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Stroke Etiology ◽  
Standard Component ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Toast Classification

Background: An echocardiogram or transcranial Doppler (TCD) bubble study to test for a right-to-left shunt (RLS) is a standard component of an ischemic stroke workup. Because the pathway for an intracradiac RLS, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), is more direct, it has been proposed that the late appearance of a RLS suggests an extracardiac pathway. We sought to characterize a cohort of ischemic stroke patients with late RLS (LRLS) on TCD. Methods: We searched the medical record of a Comprehensive Stroke Center for patients with ischemic stroke who had a TCD and echocardiogram bubble study during 2011-2013. LRLS was defined as TCD bubbles appearing more than 18 cardiac cycles after contrast injection. TOAST stroke etiology classification was performed by a vascular neurologist blinded to TCD results. Results: 124 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 67/124 (54%) had RLS on TCD; and 32/67 (48%) had LRLS. In the 35/67 patients with normal RLS on TCD, 23% did not have RLS on echocardiography, consistent with prior reports of TCD’s superiority for detecting RLS. In the 32/67 patients with LRLS on TCD, 56% were negative for RLS by echocardiography. In the cohort of 124 patients, the percentage of TOAST classification 4 (stroke of other determined cause) was 26%, while in the 32 patients with LRLS the percentage of TOAST 4 was significantly higher at 52%(p=0.005) (Table 1). The increase in TOAST 4 in LRLS patients was created by an even distribution of decreases in the other TOAST categories. The most common TOAST 4 stroke etiology in LRLS patients was PFO with concurrent deep venous thrombosis. Conclusion: This preliminary data supports prior studies that have shown superiority of TCD over echocardiography for detection of RLS, and challenge the prevailing notion that extracardiac shunt, such as pulmonary AVM, is the most common cause of LRLS in ischemic stroke patients. This subgroup of patients warrants further research to clarify mechanisms of ischemic stroke in patients with RLS.

Abstract P630: Detection of Atrial Fibrillation by Prolonged Cardiac Monitoring in Cryptogenic and Known Stroke Etiology

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal krawczyk ◽  
Sebastián Fridman ◽  
Maria Bres Bullrich ◽  
Palak Shah ◽  
Juan C Vargas-Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial Volume ◽  
Cardiac Monitoring ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions

Introduction: Approximately 25% of strokes are classified as cryptogenic (CS), while greater than 50% have an identifiable or ‘known’ etiology (KS). Several studies have demonstrated that prolonged cardiac monitoring (PCM) after cryptogenic stroke substantially increases the detection of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the yield of PCM in KS stroke is unknown. As a result, the majority of guidelines recommend restricting PCM to patients with cryptogenic stroke. If the detection of AF in KS is no different to cryptogenic stroke, it would suggest that this group too would similarly benefit from PCM, with the potential to impact therapeutic decisions (e.g. initiating anticoagulation). Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we compared AF detection by PCM (minimum of 48 hrs) between CS and KS patients without a previous diagnosis of AF. We developed a multivariate logistic regression model by including known and significant clinical, echocardiographic, and radiological factors known to be associated with the detection of AF. We reported results as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: We included 561 ischemic stroke patients, 376 with CS and 185 with KS. The median duration of PCM was 167h for CS and 48h for KS. AF was detected in 30 of 376 (8%) CS patients, and 20 of 185 (7.9%) KS patients. Age, history of thyroid disease, clinical presentation of dysarthria, wake-up stroke, and left atrial volume index on echocardiography were significantly associated with a new diagnosis of AF after stroke in the univariable analysis and were thus included in the logistic regression analysis. Additionally, duration of PCM was included in the multivariate model. After adjustment for potential confounders, AF detection by PCM was not significantly higher for CS than KS (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.25-3.32, P=0.94). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first study directly comparing the incidence of AF between CS and KS as the pre-specified primary outcome. Our findings suggest that CS and KS patients have similar rates of AF detection by PCM. Future prospective research is required to confirm these findings and to determine the cost-effectiveness of PCM in non-cryptogenic stroke patients.

scholarly journals Relation Between Left Atrial Enlargement and Stroke Subtypes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Young Shin ◽  
In-Hye Jeong ◽  
Chang-Ki Kang ◽  
Dong-Jin Shin ◽  
Hyeon-Mi Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Left Atrial Enlargement ◽  
Stroke Subtypes ◽  
Atrial Enlargement

Abstract T P267: Development of an EMS Interfacility Ground Transport Protocol for Patients During/After IV tPA Administration for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrin Connelly ◽  
Rishi Gupta ◽  
Raul Nogueira ◽  
Arthur Yancey ◽  
Alexander Isakov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Transport Protocol ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Stroke Registry ◽  
The Public ◽  
State Office ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Iv Tpa

Purpose: To standardize the care of acute stroke patients who receive IV tPA being transported by ground EMS from a treating hospital to a stroke center. Background: National consensus guidelines exist for the hospital management of patients receiving IV tPA for acute ischemic stroke. Such patients require close monitoring and management to minimize risk of clinical deterioration. Although patients are often emergently transported from local hospitals to a stroke center, there are no treatment specific national guidelines for managing such patients enroute. As a result, there is a need to develop and implement a standardized approach to guide EMS personnel, particularly in states like Georgia where the public health burden of stroke is high. Methods: In 2012, the “Georgia EMS Interfacility Ground Transport Protocol for Patients during/after IV tPA Administration for Acute Ischemic Stroke” was developed in conjunction with the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry, the Georgia State Office of EMS, a representative group of Georgia hospitals and EMS providers. Stakeholders were brought together with the goal of creating a unified statewide protocol. The intent was to create a streamlined protocol which could be readily implemented by pre-hospital care providers. Results: Stakeholders discussed challenges and opportunities to change the process of pre-hospital care. Challenges included recognition of the broad diversity of EMS providers representing over 250 agencies in the state. Opportunities included establishing the framework for greater collaboration across organizations and providers. The final protocol was endorsed by both the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry and the State Office of EMS, and distributed to all EMS regions in Georgia. EMS agencies are currently implementing the protocol. Conclusion: Engaging a diverse group of statewide stakeholders to develop a new treatment protocol enhances success in implementation and serves to further the public health mission of improving care of acute stroke patients.

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