Abstract WP389: Improving Systems of Care With Stroke Severity Adjusted EMS Triaging and Bypass Criteria Protocols to a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E Deleener ◽  
Brett Greenfield

A validated pre-hospital assessment tool to detect severe strokes including intracranial hemorrhages and large vessel occlusions along with protocols for bypassing to comprehensive stroke centers remains an ongoing debate. The long term goals align with the emphasis of developing formalized stroke severity adjusted EMS triaging and bypass protocols to recognize both large vessel ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke patients early in the pre-hospital setting with the utilization of a recognized, validated assessment tool, formal bypass criteria protocols, and formalized training for emergency medical service personnel. These goals align with the topic of careful selection of patients who meet strict criteria for bypassing acute stroke ready and primary stroke centers throughout the Southeastern New Jersey region which includes one acute ready hospital and two primary stroke centers to the closest Comprehensive Stroke Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The first specific aim is to analyze the EMS field diagnostic accuracy completed by both AtlantiCare EMS ACLS providers and Mid Atlantic Medevac EMS personnel. A therapeutic bypass yield will be analyzed in order to determine the effectiveness of the formalized training to conduct effective stroke severity EMS triaging assessments and a formal bypass protocol to the Comprehensive Stroke Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sensitivity results of the near-infrared (NIR) technology device as a pre-scanning tool for hemorrhages prior to CT scan and operator error will be analyzed. Final diagnosis, CT results, and the need for comprehensive services will serve as the sole factor for the therapeutic bypass yield analysis. The second aim is to analyze the percentage of bypassed patients to the Comprehensive Stroke Center that undergo comprehensive interventions or medical services. Policy/Protocol Design (refer to images) IRB Information : FWA#00011915 and RP# 15-039ex IRB

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Behrndtz ◽  
Søren P Johnsen ◽  
Jan B Valentin ◽  
Martin F Gude ◽  
Rolf A Blauenfeldt ◽  
...  

Rationale For patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusions, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy are standard of care, but the effect of endovascular therapy is superior to intravenous thrombolysis. If a severe stroke with symptoms indicating large vessel occlusions occurs in the catchment area of a primary stroke center, there is equipoise regarding optimal transport strategy. Aim For patients presenting with suspected large vessel occlusions (PASS ≥ 2) and a final diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, we hypothesize that bypassing the primary stroke center will result in an improved 90-day functional outcome. Sample size We aim to randomize 600 patients, 1:1. Design A national investigator-driven, multi-center, randomized assessor-blinded clinical trial. The Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity Scale has been developed. It identifies most patients with large vessel occlusions in the pre-hospital setting. Patients without a contraindication for intravenous thrombolysis are randomized to either transport directly to a comprehensive stroke centers for intravenous thrombolysis and of endovascular therapy or to a primary stroke center for intravenous thrombolysis and subsequent transport to a comprehensive stroke centers for of endovascular therapy, if needed. Outcomes The primary outcome will be the 90-day modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) for all patients with acute ischemic stroke. Secondary outcomes include 90-day mRS for all randomized patients, all patients with ischemic stroke but without large vessel occlusions, and patients with hemorrhagic stroke. The safety outcomes include severe dependency or death and time to intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke patients. Discussion Study results will influence decision making regarding transport strategy for patients with suspected large vessel occlusions.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Wagner ◽  
Constance McGraw ◽  
Kathryn McCarthy ◽  
Judd Jensen ◽  
Alessandro Orlando ◽  
...  

Background: Upon hospital arrival, patients with mild or rapidly improving acute ischemic strokes (AIS) are frequently not treated with IV-tPA. Recent guidelines from the American Heart Association report that diagnosis on imaging of large vessel occlusion (LVO) despite mild stroke severity leads to increased risk of poorer outcomes. The objective of our study was to examine outcomes following tPA in this AIS population. Methods: The study included all AIS patients with an admission NIHSS ≤7 and diagnosis of a LVO on imaging from a single comprehensive stroke center between 2010-2016. Patients were excluded due to missing contraindications to tPA or with a symptom to arrival time of >4.5 hours (n=234). We compared patients who received tPA to those who received no treatment because of mild or rapidly improving symptoms. Outcomes were sICH, improvement in NIHSS score, discharge mRS ≤2, and in-hospital mortality. Patient characteristics were compared univariately, and step-wise logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables. Entry criterion was P=0.2 and exit criterion was P=0.07. Results: There were 76 patients with an AIS diagnosis of LVO. Of these patients, 39 (51%) were treated with tPA and 37 (49%) were not treated. Overall, the median (IQR) age was 72 (61-82.5). Patients treated with tPA had a median admission NIHSS of 5 (3-6), and a larger proportion were male (77%) and smokers (4%). Patients without tPA treatment had a median NIHSS of 2 (1-3), and a larger proportion had hypertension (49%). All outcomes were not significantly different between groups after adjustment (Table 1). There were no patients with sICH. Conclusions: Our study suggests that tPA in mild LVO patients does not introduce additional risk in terms of sICH, in-hospital mortality, change in NIHSS, or discharge mRS. Further justification for withholding tPA in this group should be based on 90-day mRS scores, in order to better understand long-term functional outcomes.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017155
Author(s):  
Alexander M Kollikowski ◽  
Franziska Cattus ◽  
Julia Haag ◽  
Jörn Feick ◽  
Alexander G März ◽  
...  

BackgroundEvidence of the consequences of different prehospital pathways before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in large vessel occlusion stroke is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the infarct extent and progression before and after MT in directly admitted (mothership) versus transferred (drip and ship) patients using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS).MethodsASPECTS of 535 consecutive large vessel occlusion stroke patients eligible for MT between 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for differences in the extent of baseline, post-referral, and post-recanalization infarction between the mothership and drip and ship pathways. Time intervals and transport distances of both pathways were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between infarct progression (baseline to post-recanalization ASPECTS decline), patient characteristics, and logistic key figures.ResultsASPECTS declined during transfer (9 (8–10) vs 7 (6-9), p<0.0001), resulting in lower ASPECTS at stroke center presentation (mothership 9 (7–10) vs drip and ship 7 (6–9), p<0.0001) and on follow-up imaging (mothership 7 (4–8) vs drip and ship 6 (3–7), p=0.001) compared with mothership patients. Infarct progression was significantly higher in transferred patients (points lost, mothership 2 (0–3) vs drip and ship 3 (2–6), p<0.0001). After multivariable adjustment, only interfacility transfer, preinterventional clinical stroke severity, the degree of angiographic recanalization, and the duration of the thrombectomy procedure remained predictors of infarct progression (R2=0.209, p<0.0001).ConclusionsInfarct progression and postinterventional infarct extent, as assessed by ASPECTS, varied between the drip and ship and mothership pathway, leading to more pronounced infarction in transferred patients. ASPECTS may serve as a radiological measure to monitor the benefit or harm of different prehospital pathways for MT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110068
Author(s):  
Yu Hang ◽  
Zhen Yu Jia ◽  
Lin Bo Zhao ◽  
Yue Zhou Cao ◽  
Huang Huang ◽  
...  

Background Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) were usually transferred from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular treatment (drip-and-ship [DS]), while driving the doctor from a CSC to a PSC to perform a procedure is an alternative strategy (drip-and-drive [DD]). Purpose To compare the efficacy and prognosis of the two strategies. Material and Methods From February 2017 to June 2019, 62 patients with LVO received endovascular treatment via the DS and DD models and were retrospectively analyzed from the stroke alliance based on our CSC. Primary endpoint was door-to-reperfusion (DTR) time. Secondary endpoints included puncture-to-recanalization (PTR) time, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) rates at the end of the procedure, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Results Forty-one patients received the DS strategy and 21 patients received the DD strategy. The DTR time was significantly longer in the DS group compared to the DD group (315.5 ± 83.8 min vs. 248.6 ± 80.0 min; P < 0.05), and PTR time was shorter (77.2 ± 35.9 min vs. 113.7 ± 69.7 min; P = 0.033) compared with the DD group. Successful recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in 89% (36/41) of patients in the DS group and 86% (18/21) in the DD group ( P = 1.000). Favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0–2) were observed in 49% (20/41) of patients in the DS group and 71% (15/21) in the DD group at 90 days ( P = 0.089). Conclusion Compared with the DS strategy, the DD strategy showed more effective and a trend of better clinical outcomes for AIS patients with LVO.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017365
Author(s):  
Mais Al-Kawaz ◽  
Christopher Primiani ◽  
Victor Urrutia ◽  
Ferdinand Hui

BackgroundCurrent efforts to reduce door to groin puncture time (DGPT) aim to optimize clinical outcomes in stroke patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs). The RapidAI mobile application (Rapid Mobile App) provides quick access to perfusion and vessel imaging in patients with LVOs. We hypothesize that utilization of RapidAI mobile application can significantly reduce treatment times in stroke care by accelerating the process of mobilizing stroke clinicians and interventionalists.MethodsWe analyzed patients presenting with LVOs between June 2019 and October 2020. Thirty-one patients were treated between June 2019 and March 2020 (pre-app group). Thirty-three patients presented between March 2020 and October 2020 (post-app group). Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to examine variables that are not normally distributed. In a secondary analysis we analyzed interhospital time metrics between primary stroke centers and our comprehensive stroke center.ResultsBaseline demographic and vascular risk factors were similar in both groups. Use of Rapid Mobile App resulted in 33 min reduction in DGPT (P=0.02), 35 min reduction in door to first pass time (P=0.02), and 37 min reduction in door to recanalization time (P=0.02) in univariate analyses when compared with patients treated pre-app. In a multiple linear regression model, utilization of Rapid Mobile App significantly predicted shorter DGPT (P=0.002). In an adjusted model, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 24 hours after procedure and at discharge were significantly lower in the post-app group (P=0.03). Time of transfer between primary and comprehensive stroke center was comparable in both groups (P=0.26).ConclusionIn patients with LVOs, the implementation of the RapidAI mobile application was independently associated with reductions in intrahospital treatment times.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C.C. van Meenen ◽  
Maritta N. van Stigt ◽  
Arjen Siegers ◽  
Martin D. Smeekes ◽  
Joffry A.F. van Grondelle ◽  
...  

A reliable and fast instrument for prehospital detection of large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke would be a game-changer in stroke care, because it would enable direct transportation of LVO stroke patients to the nearest comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment. This strategy would substantially improve treatment times and thus clinical outcomes of patients. Here, we outline our view on the requirements of an effective prehospital LVO detection method, namely: high diagnostic accuracy; fast application and interpretation; user-friendliness; compactness; and low costs. We argue that existing methods for prehospital LVO detection, including clinical scales, mobile stroke units and transcranial Doppler, do not fulfill all criteria, hindering broad implementation of these methods. Instead, electroencephalography may be suitable for prehospital LVO detection since in-hospital studies have shown that quantification of hypoxia-induced changes in the electroencephalography signal have good diagnostic accuracy for LVO stroke. Although performing electroencephalography measurements in the prehospital setting comes with challenges, solutions for fast and simple application of this method are available. Currently, the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of electroencephalography in the prehospital setting are being investigated in clinical trials.


Author(s):  
Ludwig Schlemm ◽  
Matthias Endres ◽  
Jan F. Scheitz ◽  
Marielle Ernst ◽  
Christian H. Nolte ◽  
...  

Background The best strategy to identify patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke and unknown vessel status (large vessel occlusion) for direct transport to a comprehensive stroke center instead of a nearer primary stroke center is unknown. Methods and Results We used mathematical modeling to estimate the impact of 10 increasingly complex prehospital triage strategy paradigms on the reduction of population‐wide stroke‐related disability. The model was applied to suspected acute ischemic stroke patients in (1) abstract geographies, and (2) 3 real‐world urban and rural geographies in Germany. Transport times were estimated based on stroke center location and road infrastructure; spatial distribution of emergency medical services calls was derived from census data with high spatial granularity. Parameter uncertainty was quantified in sensitivity analyses. The mothership strategy was associated with a statistically significant population‐wide gain of 8 to 18 disability‐adjusted life years in the 3 real‐world geographies and in most simulated abstract geographies (net gain −4 to 66 disability‐adjusted life years). Of the more complex paradigms, transportation of patients with clinically suspected large vessel occlusion based on a dichotomous large vessel occlusion detection scale to the nearest comprehensive stroke center yielded an additional clinical benefit of up to 12 disability‐adjusted life years in some rural but not in urban geographies. Triage strategy paradigms based on probabilistic conditional modeling added an additional benefit of 0 to 4 disability‐adjusted life years over less complex strategies if based on variable cutoff scores. Conclusions Variable stroke severity cutoff scores were associated with the highest reduction in stroke‐related disability. The mothership strategy yielded better clinical outcome than the drip‐‘n'‐ship strategy in most geographies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh V Jayaraman ◽  
Arshad Iqbal ◽  
Brian Silver ◽  
Matthew S Siket ◽  
Caryn Amedee ◽  
...  

We describe the process by which we developed a statewide field destination protocol to transport patients with suspected emergent large vessel occlusion to a comprehensive stroke center.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh V Jayaraman ◽  
Morgan L Hemendinger ◽  
Grayson L Baird ◽  
Shadi Yaghi ◽  
Shawna Cutting ◽  
...  

BackgroundEndovascular therapy (EVT) for stroke improves outcomes but is time sensitive.ObjectiveTo compare times to treatment and outcomes between patients taken to the closest primary stroke center (PSC) with those triaged in the field to a more distant comprehensive stroke center (CSC).MethodsDuring the study, a portion of our region allowed field triage of patients who met severity criteria to a more distant CSC than the closest PSC. The remaining patients were transported to the closest PSC. We compared times to treatment and clinical outcomes between those two groups. Additionally, we performed a matched-pairs analysis of patients from both groups on stroke severity and distance to CSC.ResultsOver 2 years, 232 patients met inclusion criteria and were closest from the field to a PSC; 144 were taken to the closest PSC and 88 to the more distant CSC. The median additional transport time to the CSC was 7 min. Times from scene departure to alteplase and arterial puncture were faster in the direct group (50 vs 62 min; 93 vs 152 min; p<0.001 for both). Among patients who were independent before the stroke, the OR for less disability in the direct group was 1.47 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.93, p=0.003), and 2.06 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.89, p=0.01) for the matched pairs.ConclusionsIn a densely populated setting, for patients with stroke who are EVT candidates and closest to a PSC from the field, triage to a slightly more distant CSC is associated with faster time to EVT, no delay to alteplase, and less disability at 90 days.


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