Abstract TP253: Ongoing Quality Improvement for Acute Ischemic Stroke at Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimeng Liu ◽  
Zhu Zhu ◽  
Mohammad Shafie ◽  
Hermelinda Abcede ◽  
Jay Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Iv Tpa

Background: Ongoing quality improvement is essential for better outcomes and healthcare cost control. The aim of this study is to examine the progressive quality benchmarks for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at an academic comprehensive stroke center (CSC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with AIS at University of California Irvine Medical Center from Jan 1 st , 2013 to Dec 31 th , 2018.Demographics and clinical data were collected from the Get-With-The-Guideline (GWTG) -Stroke registry and electronic medical records. Patients were stratified into 3 time periods according to their admission dates: 2013 to 2014; 2015 to 2016; and 2017 to 2018. Quality benchmarks for AIS, including door-to-needle (DTN) times, rates of receiving IV tPA and/or endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and outcomes at hospital discharge were analyzed to identify trends of quality improvement in the last 6 years. Results: A total of 1369 patients were included in the study; 398 (29%) patients received acute reperfusion therapy, with 231 (17%) receiving IV tPA, 97 (7%) receiving both IV tPA and EVT, 70 (5%) receiving EVT only. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics of the patients during the 3 time periods. IV tPA rates were 20% in 2013-2014, 30% in 2015-2016, and 22% in 2017-2018 ( p =0.0005). The EVT rates in 2017-2018 (15% vs. 9%; OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.16 - 2.68; p = 0.008) and 2015-2016 (14% vs. 9%; OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.11 - 2.59; p = 0.01) were significantly higher than in 2013-2014. There were significant ongoing improvements in median DTN times, with 57 minutes in 2013-2014, 45 minutes in 2015-2016, and 39 minutes in 2017-2018. Among patients receiving IV tPA, significantly more patients had favorable outcomes (mRS score 0-3) at hospital discharge in 2015-2016 (67% vs. 42%; OR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.46 - 5.40; p =0.002) than in 2013-2014. Conclusions: We demonstrate ongoing improvement in rates of IV tPA and EVT as well as DTN times for IV tPA in patients with AIS.

Abstract 32: Intravenous Tpa Delays Door-to-puncture Time in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Large Vessel Occlusion

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunakorn Atchaneeyasakul ◽  
Shashvat Desai ◽  
Jay Dolia ◽  
Kavit Shah ◽  
Merritt Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Iv Tpa

Background: The current 2018 AHA/ASA Guidelines for early stroke management recommend use of IV tPA in all eligible acute ischemic stroke patients within 4.5 hours of onset while being considered for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Whether or not tPA administration is beneficial prior to thrombectomy is still an ongoing debate. Potential delay of MT initiation due to tPA start is a major concern but has not been well-delineated in empirical studies. Methods: In a prospective large volume comprehensive stroke center registry, we analyzed all patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) treated with thrombectomy between 2012-2017, who arrived directly from field to ED within 4.5h of last known well. Patients without contraindication to IV-tPA are given bolus dose in the scanner suite and the remainder of the 1h infusion en route to and in the angio-suite to prevent delay. Results: Among 777 thrombectomy patients identified in the database, 237 arrived directly within 4.5 hours from onset, including 65.8% (156) not treated with IV-tPA and 34.2% (81) receiving IV-tPA, both well-matched in age and NIHSS. Overall, the door-to-needle (DTN) time was 40m (IQR31-56), surpassing the Target Stroke national targets (60m and 45m) active during the study period. However, median door-to-puncture (DTP) time was 22m longer in the IV-tPA group, 74 vs 52m (p<0.001). IV-tPA was not independently associated with better recanalization rate (TICI 2B-3 95.9% vs 92.9%) or functional independent outcome (modified Rankin score 0-2) at 90 days, 37.3% vs 39.4%. Conclusion: IV-tPA administration in AIS-LVO was associated with delayed door-to-puncture times in a comprehensive stroke center with efficient DTN times surpassing advanced national targets, without change in recanalization rate or outcomes. Randomized trials are needed to determine the net positive, neutral, or negative effect of IV-tPA in this population.

scholarly journals Mechanical thrombectomy for reperfusion of acute ischemic stroke in a Stroke Unit in Argentina

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Matías ALET ◽  
Federico Rodríguez LUCCI ◽  
Sebastián AMERISO
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Reperfusion Therapy ◽  
Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Iv Tpa

Abstract Stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reperfusion therapy with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) was first implemented in 1996. More recently, endovascular reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) demonstrated a robust beneficial effect, extending the 4.5 h time window. In our country, there are difficulties to achieve the implementation of both procedures. Objective: Our purpose is to report the early experience of a Comprehensive Stroke Center in the use of MT for acute stroke. Methods: Analysis of consecutive patients from January 2015 to September 2018, who received reperfusion treatment with MT. Demographic data, treatment times, previous use of IV-tPA, site of obstruction, recanalization, outcomes and disability after stroke were assessed. Results: We admitted 891 patients with acute ischemic stroke during this period. Ninety-seven received IV-tPA (11%) and 27 were treated with MT (3%). In the MT group, mean age was 66.0±14.5 years. Median NIHSS before MT was 20 (range:14‒24). The most prevalent etiology was cardioembolic stroke (52%). Prior to MT, 16 of 27 patients (59%) received IV-tPA. Previous tPA treatment did not affect onset to recanalization time or door-to-puncture time. For MT, door-to-puncture time was 104±50 minutes and onset to recanalization was 289±153 minutes. Successful recanalization (mTICI grade 2b/3) was achieved in 21 patients (78%). At three-month follow-up, the median NIHSS was 5 (range:4‒15) and mRS was 0‒2 in 37%, and ≥3 in 63%. Conclusions: With adequate logistics and strict selection criteria, MT can be implemented in our population with results like those reported in large clinical trials.

scholarly journals Drip-and-Ship for Thrombectomy Treatment in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Leads to Inferior Clinical Outcomes in a Stroke Network Covering Vast Rural Areas Compared to Direct Admission to a Comprehensive Stroke Center

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian A. Taschner ◽  
Alexandra Trinks ◽  
Jürgen Bardutzky ◽  
Jochen Brich ◽  
Ralph Hartmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Stroke Onset ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Direct Admission ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Introduction: Organizing regional stroke care considering thrombolysis as well as mechanical thrombectomy (MTE) remains challenging in light of a wide range of regional population distribution. To compare outcomes of patients in a stroke network covering vast rural areas in southwestern Germany who underwent MTE via direct admission to a single comprehensive stroke center [CSC; mothership (MS)] with those of patients transferred from primary stroke centers [PSCs; drip-and-ship (DS)], we undertook this analysis of consecutive stroke patients with MTE.Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent MTE at the CSC between January 2013 and December 2016 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome measure was 90-day functional independence [modified Rankin score (mRS) 0–2]. Secondary outcome measures included time from stroke onset to recanalization/end of MTE, angiographic outcomes, and mortality rates.Results: Three hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients were included (MS 222 and DS 110). Median age was 74 in both arms of the study, and there was no significant difference in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (median MS 15 vs. 16 DS). Intravenous (IV) thrombolysis (IVT) rates differed significantly (55% MS vs. 70% DS, p = 0.008). Time from stroke onset to recanalization/end of MTE was 112 min shorter in the MS group (median 230 vs. 342 min, p &lt; 0.001). Successful recanalization [thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b-3] was achieved in 72% of patients in the MS group and 73% in the DS group. There was a significant difference in 90-day functional independence (37% MS vs. 24% DS, p = 0.017), whereas no significant differences were observed for mortality rates at 90 days (MS 22% vs. DS 17%, p = 0.306).Discussion: Our data suggest that patients who had an acute ischemic stroke admitted directly to a CSC may have better 90-day outcomes than those transferred secondarily for thrombectomy from a PSC.

scholarly journals Determinants of extended door-to-needle time in acute ischemic stroke and its influence on in-hospital mortality: results of a nationwide Dutch clinical audit

BMC Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurien S. Kuhrij ◽  
◽  
Perla J. Marang-van de Mheen ◽  
Renske M. van den Berg-Vos ◽  
Frank-Erik de Leeuw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Clinical Audit ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Natural Spline ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Abstract Background Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plays a prominent role in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The sooner IVT is administered, the higher the odds of a good outcome. Therefore, registering the in-hospital time to treatment with IVT, i.e. the door-to-needle time (DNT), is a powerful way to measure quality improvement. The aim of this study was to identify determinants that are associated with extended DNT. Methods Patients receiving IVT in 2015 and 2016 registered in the Dutch Acute Stroke Audit were included. DNT and onset-to-door time (ODT) were dichotomized using the median (i.e. extended DNT) and the 90th percentile (i.e. severely extended DNT). Logistic regression was performed to identify determinants associated with (severely) extended DNT/ODT and its effect on in-hospital mortality. A linear model with natural spline was used to investigate the association between ODT and DNT. Results Included were 9518 IVT treated patients from 75 hospitals. Median DNT was 26 min (IQR 20–37). Determinants associated with a higher likelihood of extended DNT were female sex (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.31) and admission during off-hours (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.25). Short ODT correlated with longer DNT, whereas longer ODT correlated with shorter DNT. Young age (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07–1.76) and admission to a comprehensive stroke center (OR 1.26, 1.10–1.45) were associated with severely extended DNT, which was associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.54, 95%CI 1.19–1.98). Conclusions Even though DNT in the Netherlands is short compared to other countries, lowering the DNT may be achievable by focusing on specific subgroups.

Abstract TP24: Should the Decision for Mechanical Thrombectomy be Based on Pre-procedure CT Head Showing Early Changes in Specific Regions of the Brain?

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Korya ◽  
Mohammad Moussavi ◽  
Siddhart Mehta ◽  
Jaskiran Brar ◽  
Mena Samaan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Endovascular Therapy ◽  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Regions Of Interest ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
The Right ◽  
Iv Tpa

Background: The treatment of acute ischemic stroke has evolved over the past several years to utilize neuroimaging in guiding therapy. With regard to IV tPA and thrombectomy, recent endovascular therapy trials have utilized the ASPECT score in determining if intervention should be attempted. We sought to evaluate different regions of interest on the ASPECT score to determine if specific areas of injury should be weighed more heavily during decision making. Methods: We evaluated the pre-intervention CT scans of the head on all patients who received IV tPA and mechanical thrombectomy during the last two years at a community based, university affiliated comprehensive stroke center. All 20 regions of interest (ROIs) of the ASPECT score were compared with each other with regard to initial NIH stroke score, discharge NIHSS, delta NIHSS and modified Rankin Score to determine if one or more regions were associated with worse outcome. SPSS version 22 was used to determine Spearman rho values and paired samples t-test. Results: A total of 864 patients presented with acute ischemic stroke, of which 70 patients received IV tPA followed by mechanical thrombectomy and were included in the study. The 4 ROIs with the greatest correlation with worse outcome as rated by discharge mRS were the right and left M5-M6 [4.2 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.5-4.8); 4.3 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.4-5.1); 4.3 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.4-5.2); 4.2 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.6-4.8), respectively]. Conclusion: Early changes defined as hypodensity in the M5 and M6 ROIs on either side of the pre-intervention head CT were associated with significantly worse outcomes. A modified ASPECT score should be considered to better prognosticate patients and guide the appropriateness of endovascular therapy in select patients. These findings should be validated in a larger population and a longer follow-up period.

Abstract WP304: Real-World Experience with the RAPID Platform to Screen Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients at a U.S. Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami-James Assadi ◽  
Julia Henn ◽  
Ajlana Varmaz ◽  
Peter Panagos ◽  
Michelle Miller-Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Real World ◽  
Perfusion Imaging ◽  
Number Needed To Screen ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Screening Efficiency ◽  
Rapid Perfusion ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

Introduction: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an important part of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment. Recent trials of MT beyond the 6-hour window have utilized RAPID perfusion imaging for patient selection. The utility of this method is established in patients with large vessel occlusions (LVO) but screening efficiency in real-world practice remains unknown. We present the experience of a single, large volume, Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) utilizing RAPID to screen patients for LVO and MT. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected consecutive patients who presented to our emergency department (ED) between 01/2018 to 06/2019 with suspected LVO. Protocol was based on 2018 AHA guideline Level IA recommendations and followed DAWN and DEFUSE-3 time and imaging parameters. Patients who underwent RAPID imaging were selected for inclusion. Results: 865 patients met criteria for RAPID perfusion imaging (median age 67, females 52%, outside hospital transfers 29%). Of these, 178 (21% of total) were confirmed to have an LVO (40% ED presentation, 10% inpatient, 50% transfer). For patients presenting to the ED (N=509), 14% had an LVO (median NIHSS 13 [IQR 8-19]), of which 41% underwent MT. Mean CTP core and penumbra volume was 25mL and 100mL respectively. Number needed-to-screen in the ED cohort was 7 to detect LVO and 17 to perform MT. Transfer patients showed no significant difference in LVO detection or MT rates compared to ED patients (56%, p=0.3). Conclusions: In ED-presenting patients at a CSC, the number of RAPID perfusion imaging studies needed to detect an additional case of LVO was 7.1, and to perform an additional MT was 17.4. Current AHA Class IA recommendations for evaluation and treatment of AIS yield a reasonably high rate of LVO detection and subsequent MT in real-world practice. Additional multicenter data will be useful to establish benchmarks and improve screening efficiency.

Effect of “drip-and-ship” and “drip-and-drive” on endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion: a single-center retrospective study

2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110068
Author(s):  
Yu Hang ◽  
Zhen Yu Jia ◽  
Lin Bo Zhao ◽  
Yue Zhou Cao ◽  
Huang Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Secondary Endpoints ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center

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.

Abstract P201: Octogenarian and Nonagenarian Outcomes Among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
RAJAN R GADHIA ◽  
Farhaan S Vahidy ◽  
Tariq Nisar ◽  
Destiny Hooper ◽  
David Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Stroke Treatment ◽  
Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Acute Stroke Treatment ◽  
Iv Tpa

Objective: Most acute stroke treatment trials exclude patients above the age of 80. Given the clear benefit of revascularization with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT), we sought to assess functional outcomes in patients treated above the age of 80. Methods: We conducted a review of all patients admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital between January 2019 and August 2020 with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) presentation[MOU1] for whom premorbid, discharge, and 90 day modified Rankin Scale scores were available. Patients were categorized by acute stroke treatment (IV tPA, MT, both or none[MOU2] ). mRS values were assessed during admission prior to discharge and at 90 days post stroke event. A delta mRS (Discharge vs. 90-day [MOU3] ) was defined and grouped as no change, improved, or worsened to assess overall functional disability in regards to the index stroke presentation. Results: A total of 865 patients with AIS presentation were included, of whom 651 (75.3%) were <80 years and 214 (24.7%) were > 80 years of age at presentation. A total of 208 patients received IV tPA, 176 underwent revascularization with MT only, 71 had both treatments, and 552 had no acute intervention. In patients >80 yrs who had no acute stroke intervention. mRS improvement was noted in 71.4% compared to 54.1% observed in those patients <80 years. Among patients who received IV tPA, 81.5% of > 80 years improved vs. 61.6% in the younger cohort. A similar trend was noted in the MT and combined treatment groups (76.2% vs. 71.2% and 78.6% vs. 79.3%, respectively). Conclusion: Based on our cohort of acute stroke patients, there was no significant difference in outcomes (as measured by delta mRS) for octogenarians and nonagenarians when compared to younger patients. There was a trend towards improvement in the elderly patients. Chronological age by itself may be an insufficient predictor of functional outcome among stroke patients and age cutoffs for enrollment of patients in acute stroke trials may need additional considerations.

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.

Abstract P188: Transfer Time From Spoke ER Arrival to CSC Arrival in a Hub-Spoke Transfer Model of Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien H Lee ◽  
Paul A Segerstrom ◽  
Ciarán J Powers ◽  
Sharon Heaton ◽  
Shahid M Nimjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Time ◽  
Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Er Status

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who present to a spoke Emergency Room (ER) and require transfer to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) hub face potential delays Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 269 suspected AIS patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from July 2016 to October 2017 in our academic telestroke network. During this period, nearly all tPA patients were transferred to the CSC hub. Data was collected on patient demographics, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), door to needle time (DTN), and distance to CSC. ER-to-CSC was defined as the time from patient arrival at Spoke ER to arrival at CSC. Top volume ER status was assigned to the 4 Spoke ERs with the highest volume of tPA. Results: Among 269 AIS patients who received tPA at spoke ERs, the mean age was 65.4 years (range, 21 to 95), 49% were female, and 91.8% were white. The initial median NIHSS was 6 (range, 0 to 30) and the mean DTN was 73.1 minutes (range, 14 to 234). The mean distance from Spoke ER to CSC was 55.2 miles (range 5.8 to 125) and the mean ER-to-CSC was 2.6 hours (range 0.62 to 6.3) (Figure 1). In univariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with ER-to-CSC: distance (p < 0.0001), DTN (p < 0.0001), NIHSS (p 0.0007), and top volume ER status (p 0.0034). Patient sex, age, race, SBP, weight, initial NIHSS, daytime shift, and weekend status were not significantly associated with ER-to-CSC. Significant variables from the univariate analysis were included in multivariate linear regression model in which DTN (P < 0.0001), distance (P < 0.0001), and NIHSS (P 0.024) association with ER-to-CSC remained significant. Conclusions: In our series of AIS tPA patients transferred to CSC, the mean time from spoke ER arrival to CSC arrival was 2.6 hours. Factors associated with CSC arrival time include markers of ER performance (DTN), severity (NIHSS), and distance. Further study is warranted to improve transfer time in AIS.

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