Abstract WMP1: Implementation of a Telestroke Program Based on a Smartphone Application

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila C Martins ◽  
Octavio Pontes-Neto ◽  
Leonardo A Carbonera ◽  
Ana Claudia Souza ◽  
Diogenes Guimaraes Zan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Remote Communication ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
The Times

Background: The increasing demand and shortage of experts to evaluate and treat acute stroke patients has led to the development of remote communication tools to aid stroke management. We aimed to describe the experience of the Brazilian Stroke Network in the implementation of a telemedicine stroke program using a low-cost smartphone application system (JOIN App, Allm, Japan) for rapid sharing of clinical and neuroimaging patient data. Methods: We evaluated the initial experience of the telestroke program using a smartphone app measuring its feasibility, safety and speed in the acute stroke decision-making process, with a particular focus on intravenous thrombolysis. The App was implemented in hospitals without neurologists available for acute stroke evaluation and was connected with a stroke team to support the decision for thrombolysis. We analyzed the times of acute treatment and safety through the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in 24hours. The program was implemented as part of the partnership with the Angels Initiative in Brazil supported by Boehringer Ingelheim to improve stroke care across the globe. Results: The telestroke program started in May 2019 and since then 7 hospitals, in 5 Brazilian states, were included. Only 2 of these hospitals had previous experience with stroke thrombolysis. In all hospitals, the patients were assisted by emergency physicians with eventual support of local neurologists. The telestroke program was activated for 58 patients. The median age was 68yo (IQR58-72), 47% were female and the baseline NIHSS was 11 (IQR8-16). In 69% of the activation the diagnosis was ischemic stroke (IS), 7% hemorrhagic, 5% TIA and 28% other diagnosis. Thrombolysis was suggested in 48% of all evaluations (70% of IS patients). A total of 53% of IS were actually treated with thrombolys. The response-time of the stroke experts was 2.6 minutes (2-6), door-to-CT scan 20min (15-31) and door-needle time 59min (27-81). None of the patients had sICH. Conclusion: In a telestroke program using a smartphone App, thrombolysis performed by emergency physicians was feasible and safe. This mobile low cost technology can increase the possibility of patients with stroke to receive treatment in regions without neurologists across the globe.

scholarly journals Acute Stroke Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reduction in the Number of Admissions of Elderly Patients and Increase in Prehospital Delays

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gabriel Velilla-Alonso ◽  
Andrés García-Pastor ◽  
Ángela Rodríguez-López ◽  
Ana Gómez-Roldós ◽  
Antonio Sánchez-Soblechero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Radiological Data ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prehospital Delays

Introduction: We analyzed whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis affected acute stroke care in our center during the first 2 months of lockdown in Spain. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study. We collected demographic, clinical, and radiological data; time course; and treatment of patients meeting the stroke unit admission criteria from March 14 to May 14, 2020 (COVID-19 period group). Data were compared with the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period group). Results: 195 patients were analyzed; 83 in the COVID-19 period group, resulting in a 26% decline of acute strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) admitted to our center compared with the previous year (p = 0.038). Ten patients (12%) tested positive for PCR SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of patients aged 65 years and over was lower in the COVID-19 period group (53 vs. 68.8%, p = 0.025). During the pandemic period, analyzed patients were more frequently smokers (27.7 vs. 10.7%, p = 0.002) and had less frequently history of prior stroke (13.3 vs. 25%, p = 0.043) or atrial fibrillation (9.6 vs. 25%, p = 0.006). ASPECTS score was lower (9 [7–10] vs. 10 [8–10], p = 0.032), NIHSS score was slightly higher (5 [2–14] vs. 4 [2–8], p = 0.122), onset-to-door time was higher (304 [93–760] vs. 197 [91.25–645] min, p = 0.104), and a lower proportion arrived within 4.5 h from onset of symptoms (43.4 vs. 58%, p = 0.043) during the CO­VID-19 period. There were no differences between proportion of patients receiving recanalization treatment (intravenous thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy) and in-hospital delays. Conclusion: We observed a reduction in the number of acute strokes and TIAs admitted during the COVID-19 period. This drop affected especially elderly patients, and despite a delay in their arrival to the emergency department, the proportion of patients treated with recanalization therapies was preserved.

Abstract TP250: Defining Technical Quality Standards for Mobile Telestroke Assessment: A Substudy of the Improving Treatment with Rapid Evaluation of Acute Stroke via Mobile Telemedicine (iTREAT) Mobile Telestroke Platform

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M Lippman ◽  
Zachary G Sutton ◽  
Timothy L McMurry ◽  
Brian Gunnell ◽  
Jack Cote ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Video Quality ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Technical Standards ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Transmission Quality

Introduction: In-ambulance use of remote videoconferencing for prehospital stroke assessment (mobile telestroke) is an emerging innovation in acute stroke care. As a new technology, there is a dearth of technical standards to ensure transmission quality and guide deployment in various EMS settings. Hypothesis: Subjective video quality ratings during in-vehicle mobile telestroke assessment correlate to objective video data transmission metrics. Methods: We performed videoconferencing via a low-cost, utilitarian mobile telestroke platform: tablet endpoint, high-speed 4G LTE modem, external antennae, HIPAA-secure videoconferencing application, and portable bracket mounting. We held test calls along typical ambulance routes recording transmission quality by a stationary and a mobile rater. We used a standardized 6-point scale of video quality: rating ≥ 4 deemed acceptable for mobile telestroke assessment. We recorded jitter, the variance in transmission data reception order, as simultaneously reported by the videoconferencing application. Results: We completed five test runs yielding 64 data ratings. Average jitter for ratings 1 through 6 was 434.9ms (SD = 407), 106.1ms (SD = 110), 41.4ms (SD = 29), 35.3ms (SD = 15), 29.5ms (SD = 6), and 29.0ms (SD = 2) respectively. Analyzing the raw data yielded an R2 of 0.41. As seen in Chart 1, video quality decreased as average jitter increased, but jitter values as low as 30ms were still seen across video transmission of all qualities. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest modest correlation of transmission variance with subjective quality ratings using a low-cost mobile telestroke platform along rural-based ambulance routes. However, average transmission variance correlated highly (R2 = 0.93) suggesting more data ratings may improve the correlation. Testing of our mobile telestroke platform to assess performance and clinical efficacy as well as incorporate live acute stroke encounters is ongoing.

scholarly journals The Dutch Acute Stroke Audit: Benchmarking acute stroke care in the Netherlands

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurien S Kuhrij ◽  
Michel WJM Wouters ◽  
Renske M van den Berg-Vos ◽  
Frank-Erik de Leeuw ◽  
Paul J Nederkoorn
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Favourable Outcome ◽  
Hospital Level ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Variation In Care

Introduction In the nationwide Dutch Acute Stroke Audit (DASA), consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) are prospectively registered. Acute stroke care is a rapidly evolving field in which intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) play a crucial role in increasing odds of favourable outcome. The DASA can be used to assess the variation in care between hospitals and develop ‘best practice’ in acute stroke care. Patients and methods: We describe the initiation and design of the DASA as well as the results from 2015 and 2016. Results In 2015 and 2016, 55,854 patients with AIS and 7727 patients with ICH were registered in the DASA. Treatment with IVT was administered to 10,637 patients (with an increase of 1.3% in 2016) and 1740 patients underwent IAT (with an increase of 1% in 2016). Median door-to-needle time for IVT and median door-to-groin time for IAT have decreased from 27 to 25 min and 66 to 64 min, respectively. Mortality during admission was 4.9% in patients with AIS, whereas 26% of patients with ICH died. Modified Rankin Scale score at three months was registered in 49% of AIS patients and 45% of ICH patients. Discussion During the nationwide DASA, time to treatment is reduced for IVT as well as IAT. With the rapidly evolving treatment of acute stroke care, the DASA can be used to monitor the quality provided on patient- and hospital level. Conclusion Increasing completeness of registration of the outcome, in combination with adjustment for patient-related factors, is necessary to define and further improve the quality of the acute stroke care.

Abstract TP246: Emergency Medical Services Survey of a Low-cost, Ambulance-based System for Mobile Neurological Assessment: The iTREAT Study

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William M Clark ◽  
Nicole A Chiota-McCollum ◽  
Jack Cote ◽  
Brett J Schneider ◽  
Haydon Pitchford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Prehospital Care ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Neurological Assessment ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Prehospital Diagnosis ◽  
Technical Challenges ◽  
Survey Responses

Introduction: Modern advances in acute stroke care place an added emphasis on accurate prehospital diagnosis and triage. As part of the Improving Treatment with Rapid Evaluation of Acute Stroke via mobile Telemedicine (iTREAT) study, we assessed the EMS provider experience with a novel system for mobile telestroke assessment. Methods: We developed a 12-question survey with input from local participants in an EMS Council serving rural counties in central Virginia. Providers rated the iTREAT system on feasibility for acute stroke triage, potential effectiveness in prehospital neurological assessment, and interactions with prehospital care. All survey responses were voluntary and anonymous. Results: Since initiation of live patient enrollment, we have completed 34 ambulance-based telestroke encounters with the iTREAT system. Among 7 participating agencies, 19 EMS providers have served as tele-presenters during the telestroke assessment, and 17 EMS providers completed the voluntary survey. Of the respondents, 71% were certified EMS providers for over 5 years. Regarding technical feasibility, 69% experienced issues related to maintaining a video connection, 41% with logging in to the videoconferencing application, and 18% powering on the tablet. Of technical challenges, 41% of providers resolved the issue on their own, 18% with guidance from study staff, and 24% could not resolve the issue. Concerning patient care, 23% felt the system interfered, 35% were neutral, and 41% felt there was no interference. The majority of respondents (71%) agreed that the iTREAT system is feasible for acute stroke triage, and an effective tool (59%) for prehospital neurological assessment. In commentary, EMS participants emphasized the system’s utility in rural areas. Conclusion: This survey of the EMS experience with a low-cost, ambulance-based system for prehospital telestroke assessment reveals both technical challenges and clinical promise. Importantly, technical issues are mostly solvable in real time and correctable for further system refinement. As a novel tool for prehospital neurological assessment and acute stroke triage, the initial EMS evaluation supports further investigation of clinical efficacy, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Attitudes of Saudi Emergency Physicians toward t-PA Use in Stroke

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ali M. Al Khathaami ◽  
Haya Aloraini ◽  
S. Almudlej ◽  
Haifa Al Issa ◽  
Nourhan Elshammaa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Proven Efficacy ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude

Background and Objectives. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) within 4.5 hours from onset improves outcome in patients with ischemic stroke and has been recommended by several international guidelines. Since its approval in 1996, the debate among emergency physicians continues particularly around the result interpretation of the first positive randomized controlled trial, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) clinical trial. This lack of consensus might negatively affect the delivery of effective stroke care. Here we aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Saudi emergency physicians toward t-PA use within 4.5 hours of onset in acute ischemic stroke. Methods. A web-based, self-administered, locally designed questionnaire was sent to all emergency physicians practicing in the city of Riyadh from January to September 2017. Results. Out of 450 emergency physicians, 122 from ten hospitals in Riyadh participated in the survey, with a 27% response rate. The majority of participants were men (78%), and their mean age was 40 ± 8 years. Half of the participants were board certified, and 36% were consultants. Half of the participants consider the evidence for t-PA use in stroke within 4.5 hours of stroke onset to be controversial, and 41% recommend against its use due to lack of proven efficacy (37%), the risk of hemorrhagic complications (35%), lack of stroke expertise (21%), and medicolegal liability (9%). Nearly half were willing to administer IV t-PA for ischemic stroke in collaboration with remote stroke neurology consultation if telestroke is implemented. Conclusion. Our study detected inadequate knowledge and a negative attitude among Saudi emergency physicians toward t-PA use in acute stroke. This might negatively impact patient outcome. Therefore, we recommend developing urgent strategies to improve emergency physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in the management of acute stroke.

Stroke Mimics in a Stroke Care Pathway Based on MRI Screening

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Quenardelle ◽  
Valérie Lauer-Ober ◽  
Ielyzaveta Zinchenko ◽  
Marc Bataillard ◽  
Olivier Rouyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Discharge Diagnosis ◽  
Cerebral Mri

Background: Since the use of tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke (IS), stroke care pathways have been developed for patients with suspicion of acute stroke. The aim of this prospective observational study was to analyze the stroke mimic (SM) characteristics in patients who were part of our stroke care pathway. Methods: All consecutive patients admitted in the code stroke within a 1-year period were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients with a sudden onset of neurological focal deficit in a time window less than 4H30 as indicated for intravenous thrombolysis, had been accepted in the pathway by a neurologist who was directly contactable by the prehospital emergency medical service 24 h per day. Patients arrived directly on the MRI site without passing by the emergency department. A clinical neurological evaluation and a brain MRI with tri-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography were performed. The FAST score was calculated a posteriori. The final discharge diagnosis was concluded either immediately after both neurological examination and cerebrovascular neuroimaging or after other relevant investigations. We classified the discharge diagnosis into neurovascular diseases (NVDs) and into SM. Results: There were 1,361 consecutive patients admitted for suspicion of acute stroke. Sixty-two percent (n = 840) had an NVD including IS (n = 529), transient ischemic attacks (n = 236), intracranial hemorrhages (n = 68), cerebral venous thrombosis (n = 3) and neurovascular medullar pathologies (n = 4). SM represented 38% of cases (n = 521) and the most frequent discharge diagnosis was defined as headaches (18.6%), psychological disorders (16.7%), peripheral vertigo (11.9%) and epilepsy (10.6%). The comparison between the characteristics of the NVD and those of the SM groups showed some significant differences: in the SM group, women were more represented, patients were younger and the NIHSS was lower than in the NVD group. All cardiovascular risk factors were more represented in the NVD group. Concerning the symptoms, motor deficit, speech disturbances, homonymous lateral hemianopia and head and gaze deviation were more represented in the NVD group, whereas vertigo, non-systematized visual trouble, headache, confusion, weakness, neuropsychological symptoms, seizure and chest pain were significantly more frequent in the SM group. The negative predictive value of the FAST score was 64% and the positive predictive value was 76%. Conclusions: A rate of SM up to 38% of the code stroke system confirms the difficulty to distinguish clinically a stroke from another diagnosis. In this study, using cerebral MRI in first intention was of special interest in patients with acute neurological symptoms to differentiate an NVD from an SM.

scholarly journals Maintenance of Acute Stroke Care Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1693-1701
Author(s):  
Valerian L. Altersberger ◽  
Lotte J. Stolze ◽  
Mirjam R. Heldner ◽  
Hilde Henon ◽  
Nicolas Martinez-Majander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Reference Period ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: Timely reperfusion is an important goal in treatment of eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, prehospital and in-hospital emergency procedures faced unprecedented challenges, which might have caused a decline in the number of acute reperfusion therapy applied and led to a worsening of key quality measures for this treatment during lockdown. Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study used data from the TRISP (Thrombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients) registry of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapies, that is, intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy. We compared prehospital and in-hospital time-based performance measures (stroke-onset-to-admission, admission-to-treatment, admission-to-image, and image-to-treatment time) during the first 6 weeks after announcement of lockdown (lockdown period) with the same period in 2019 (reference period). Secondary outcomes included stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) after 24 hours and occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (following the ECASS [European-Australasian Acute Stroke Study]-II criteria). Results: Across 20 stroke centers, 540 patients were treated with intravenous thrombolysis/endovascular therapy during lockdown period compared with 578 patients during reference period (−7% [95% CI, 5%–9%]). Performance measures did not change significantly during the lockdown period (2020/2019 minutes median: onset-to-admission 133/145; admission-to-treatment 51/48). Same was true for admission-to-image (20/19) and image-to-treatment (31/30) time in patients with available time of first image (n=871, 77.9%). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission (2020/2019: 11/11) and after 24 hours (2020/2019: 6/5) and percentage of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (2020/2019: 6.2/5.7) did not differ significantly between both periods. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown resulted in a mild decline in the number of patients with stroke treated with acute reperfusion therapies. More importantly, the solid stability of key quality performance measures between the 2020 and 2019 period may indicate resilience of acute stroke care service during the lockdown, at least in well-established European stroke centers.

Abstract T P37: Routine CT Angiography in Acute Stroke Does Not Delay Acute Stroke Care

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele S Silva ◽  
Renata C Miranda ◽  
Rodrigo M Massaud ◽  
Andreia M Vacari ◽  
Miguel Cendoroglo Neto
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Radiology Report ◽  
Group 2

Introduction: Vascular imaging is increasingly used for diagnosis of arterial occlusions in acute ischemic stroke. Hypothesis:We hypothesized that time intervals using a CTA based acute ischemic stroke protocol are not increased when compared to an earlier non-CTA based protocol. Methods: We evaluated a database of consecutive patients admitted to a Brazilian tertiary hospital with acute ischemic stroke from February 2009 to March 2014 and reviewed our stroke quality measures data to determine if the time required to obtain CTA prolonged door-to-neuroimaging, door to radiology report and door-to-needle times. Patients were categorized into: Group 1 (February 2009 to October 2013) (Non-contrast CT Scan based acute stroke protocol) and Group 2 (November 2013 to August 2014) (CTA based acute stroke protocol). Time intervals were compared between the two groups.Results: We evaluated 415 consecutive patients, 20 of whom (4.8%) had a CTA in the acute phase (Group 2). Patients in groups 1 and 2 had similar onset-to-door times (1.86 [0.75-3.58] versus 2.75 hours [1.0-8.49], p=0.09); door to neuroimaging times (27.6 [18.6-46.8] versus 37.8 minutes [23.4-46.2], p=0.28 ) and door to radiology report intervals (39 [27-60.6] versus 53.4 minutes[35.4-61.2], p=0.09). The frequency of treatment with recanalization therapies ( either intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular procedures) was similar between groups 1 (30%) and 2 (21%), p=0.33, as well as door to needle times (p=0.09). Conclusions: CTA based acute stroke care does not significantly delay time to neuroimaging or thrombolysis in routine clinical practice.

scholarly journals Malpractice litigation in acute stroke care – where are we now?

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilberto KK Leung ◽  
Gerard Porter
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
Legal Challenges ◽  
Improvement Measures

Acute stroke care has undergone momentous changes in recent years with the introduction of intravenous thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy and integrated stroke services. While these are welcome developments, they also carry unique medico-legal challenges. In 2015, a patient from Greater Manchester was awarded over £1 million in compensation after ambulance paramedics failed to admit her to a specialist unit. This paper explores the medico-legal implications of this first but over looked thrombolysis-related claim in the United Kingdom. It is submitted that the highly time-dependent and multidisciplinary nature of acute stroke care may expose a host of healthcare personnel, both medical and non-medical, to risks of legal pursuit for failing to provide appropriate care, and that available scientific evidence will likely support such claims. The situation calls for an urgent and concerted effort at implementing improvement measures at national levels. A reminder of the legal consequences of substandard acute stroke care is timely and necessary.

scholarly journals Stroke Intervention: Geographic Disparities in Acute Stroke Care and the Role of Interventional Cardiology

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽  
Interventional Cardiology ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Acute Stroke Care ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Geographic Disparities

Stroke is the second-leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide. The majority of strokes are ischaemic, and effective therapy to achieve reperfusion includes intravenous thrombolysis and, for proximal large vessel occlusion strokes, endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT). There has been a paradigm shift in acute stroke care, driven by a series of randomised controlled trials demonstrating that timely reperfusion with MT results in superior outcomes compared to intravenous thrombolysis in patients with large vessel occlusion strokes. There are significant geographic disparities in delivering acute stroke care because of the maldistribution of neurointerventional specialists. There are now several case series demonstrating the feasibility and safety of first medical contact MT by carotid stent-capable interventional cardiologists and noninvasive neurologists working on stroke teams, which is a solution to the uneven distribution of neurointerventionalists and allows stroke interventions to be delivered in local communities.

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