Abstract P147: Unanticipated Benefits of a Large Vessel Occlusion Screening Tool in a Primary Stroke Center

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Werner ◽  
Brian L Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tool ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Alert System ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Implementation Time ◽  
Transferred Patients ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Transfer Times ◽  
Geographically Isolated

Introduction: Use of an LVO screening tool to triage patients suspected of having an LVO and expedite transfer to an endovascular capable stroke center (ESC) has some benefit for patients within 15 minutes of an ESC. The benefits of using an LVO screening tool amongst Primary Stroke Centers (PSC) that are geographically isolated from an ESC is of less clear benefit. Methods: The implementation of the Vision, Aphasia, Neglect (VAN) LVO screening tool at a regional series of PSCs and freestanding emergency departments was accomplished in anticipation of pursuing thrombectomy-capable certification at one of the facilities. The use of VAN was incorporated into a tiered stroke alert system to identify patients eligible for endovascular treatment up to 24 hours. Retrospective data was collected and assessed for pre and post implementation time metrics: workflow timestamps, volume of treated and transferred patients, mimic and complication rates, median door-to-needle times, and median door-in-door-out times. Results: The 12-month calendar year prior to and immediately following VAN implementation was reviewed and included final diagnosed ischemic (n=469) and hemorrhagic (n=96) patient volumes. Implementation of VAN was associated with reductions in median door-to-transfer times from 143 to 122 minutes and median door-to-needle times from 48 to 38 minutes. Thrombolytic treatment rates increased by 5%, mimic rate decreased by 5%, without significant changes in thrombolytic complications. Conclusions: In conclusion, use of VAN as an LVO screening tool in a Primary Stroke Center which is geographically isolated from an ESC was associated with an unanticipated improvement of multiple program metrics including reduced door to transfer times, reduced door to needle times, increased percentage of patients treated with thrombolytics, and increased staff satisfaction and engagement. These unanticipated benefits are likely the result of a combination of factors including increased staff awareness of stroke symptoms and optimization of regional stroke alert workflows that occurred in conjunction with LVO implementation.

Abstract TP3: What Hospital Characteristics Drive Faster Thrombectomy For Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO)?

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Tarpley ◽  
Lindsay Lucas ◽  
Joseph T Ho ◽  
Renee Ovando ◽  
Elizabeth Baraban
Keyword(s):  
Arrival Time ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Reperfusion Therapy ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Stroke Registry ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Treatment Volume ◽  
Transferred Patients ◽  
Stroke Center

Introduction: Recent thrombectomy trials for ELVO have reverberated the importance of speed in reperfusion therapy. Identifying hospital practices and features associated with faster door to thrombectomy times is critical to evolving our hospital systems to effectively deliver this powerful therapy. Methods: A multi-hospital, Get with the Guidelines stroke registry was used to identify AIS patients who received intra-arterial (IA) intervention between January 2012 and May 2016. Transferred patients were excluded since their door to reperfusion times don’t typically include a primary evaluation. Patients were categorized as having door to reperfusion (Door-to-IA) time over 135 minutes or Door-to-IA time below or equal to 135 minutes. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify which of the following variables were associated with Door-to-IA times over 135 minutes: age, gender, IV alteplase treatment, admit NIHSS score, patient arrival time to hospital, hospital certification (primary stroke center (PSC) versus comprehensive stroke center (CSC)), hospital annual IA treatment volume, and hospital annual percentage of transfers for thrombectomy. Results: We identified 229 AIS patients from ten hospitals who received IA intervention between January 2012 and May 2016. Of those, 49% (n=113) had Door-to-IA times over 135 minutes and 51% (n=116) had Door-to-IA time below or equal to 135 minutes. Patients with Door-to-IA times over 135 minutes were more likely to be older (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.02 per year; p=.040), treated at a PSC (AOR = 2.26; p=.028), and treated at a hospital with a higher percentage of transfers (AOR = 1.08 per percentage point; p<.001). IV-alteplase treatment, gender, NIHSS, patients’ arrival time and volume were not significant. Conclusion: Comprehensive stroke centers had shorter Door-to-IA times than Primary Stroke Centers in our system. However, hospital annual IA treatment volume did not impact Door-to-IA and centers with larger transfer volume actually had worse Door-to-IA times for patients evaluated and treated locally. This suggests that high volume centers with a larger volume of transferred patients may have tuned their practices to treating transfers rather than treating local ELVO patients.

scholarly journals Progression of cerebral infarction before and after thrombectomy is modified by prehospital pathways

2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017155
Author(s):  
Alexander M Kollikowski ◽  
Franziska Cattus ◽  
Julia Haag ◽  
Jörn Feick ◽  
Alexander G März ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Transferred Patients ◽  
Stroke Center

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.

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.

scholarly journals Early experience utilizing artificial intelligence shows significant reduction in transfer times and length of stay in a hub and spoke model

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 615-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameer E Hassan ◽  
Victor M Ringheanu ◽  
Rani R Rabah ◽  
Laurie Preston ◽  
Wondwossen G Tekle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Transfer Time ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Hub And Spoke ◽  
Ct Angiogram ◽  
Detection Technology ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Transfer Times

Background Recently approved artificial intelligence (AI) software utilizes AI powered large vessel occlusion (LVO) detection technology which automatically identifies suspected LVO through CT angiogram (CTA) imaging and alerts on-call stroke teams. We performed this analysis to determine if utilization of AI software and workflow platform can reduce the transfer time (time interval between CTA at a primary stroke center (PSC) to door-in at a comprehensive stroke center (CSC)). Methods We compared the transfer time for all LVO transfer patients from a single spoke PSC to our CSC prior to and after incorporating AI Software (Viz.ai LVO). Using a prospectively collected stroke database at a CSC, demographics, mRS at discharge, mortality rate at discharge, length of stay (LOS) in hospital and neurological-ICU were examined. Results There were a total of 43 patients during the study period (median age 72.0 ± 12.54 yrs., 51.16% women). Analysis of 28 patients from the pre-AI software (median age 73.5 ± 12.28 yrs., 46.4% women), and 15 patients from the post-AI software (median age 70.0 ± 13.29 yrs., 60.00% women). Following implementation of AI software, median CTA time at PSC to door-in at CSC was significantly reduced by an average of 22.5 min. (132.5 min versus 110 min; p = 0.0470). Conclusions The incorporation of AI software was associated with an improvement in transfer times for LVO patients as well as a reduction in the overall hospital LOS and LOS in the neurological-ICU. More extensive studies are warranted to expand on the ability of AI technology to improve transfer times and outcomes for LVO patients.

scholarly journals Effect of Interhospital Transfer on Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 923-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmee Venema ◽  
Adrien E. Groot ◽  
Hester F. Lingsma ◽  
Wouter Hinsenveld ◽  
Kilian M. Treurniet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Endovascular Treatment ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Modified Rankin Scale ◽  
Interhospital Transfer ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Transferred Patients ◽  
Stroke Center

Background and Purpose— To assess the effect of inter-hospital transfer on time to treatment and functional outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke, we compared patients transferred from a primary stroke center to patients directly admitted to an intervention center in a large nationwide registry. Methods— MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) Registry is an ongoing, prospective, observational study in all centers that perform EVT in the Netherlands. We included adult patients with an acute anterior circulation stroke who received EVT between March 2014 to June 2016. Primary outcome was time from arrival at the first hospital to arterial groin puncture. Secondary outcomes included the 90-day modified Rankin Scale score and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2). Results— In total 821/1526 patients, (54%) were transferred from a primary stroke center. Transferred patients less often had prestroke disability (227/800 [28%] versus 255/699 [36%]; P =0.02) and more often received intravenous thrombolytics (659/819 [81%] versus 511/704 [73%]; P <0.01). Time from first presentation to groin puncture was longer for transferred patients (164 versus 104 minutes; P <0.01, adjusted delay 57 minutes [95% CI, 51–62]). Transferred patients had worse functional outcome (adjusted common OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.62–0.90]) and less often achieved functional independence (244/720 [34%] versus 289/681 [42%], absolute risk difference −8.5% [95% CI, −8.7 to −8.3]). Conclusions— Interhospital transfer of patients with acute ischemic stroke is associated with delay of EVT and worse outcomes in routine clinical practice, even in a country where between-center distances are short. Direct transportation of patients potentially eligible for EVT to an intervention center may improve functional outcome.

Abstract MP35: Blood Pressure Reductions Before Arrival at a Thrombectomy-Capable Hospital Are Associated With Neurologic Worsening in Patients With Large-Vessel Occlusion

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Kobsa ◽  
Ayush Prasad ◽  
Alexandria Soto ◽  
Sreeja Kodali ◽  
Cindy Khanh Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Radiographic Data

Introduction: Decreases in blood pressure (BP) during thrombectomy are associated with infarct progression and worse outcomes. Many patients present first to a primary stroke center (PSC) and are later transferred to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) to undergo thrombectomy. During this period, important BP variations might occur. We evaluated the association of BP reductions with neurological worsening and functional outcomes. Methods: We prospectively collected hemodynamic, clinical, and radiographic data on consecutive patients with LVO ischemic stroke who were transferred from a PSC for possible thrombectomy between 2018 and 2020. We assessed systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at five time points: earliest recorded, average pre-PSC, PSC admission, average PSC, and CSC admission. We measured neurologic worsening as a change in NIHSS (ΔNIHSS) from PSC to CSC >3 and functional outcome using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and 90 days. Relationships between variables of interest were evaluated using linear regression. Results: Of 91 patients (mean age 70±16 years, mean NIHSS 12) included, 13 (14%) experienced early neurologic deterioration (ΔNIHSS>3), and 34 (37%) achieved a good outcome at discharge (mRS<3). We found that patients with good outcome had significantly lower SBP at all five assessed time points compared to patients with poor outcome (Figure 1, p<0.05). Percent change in MAP from initial presentation to CSC arrival was independently associated with ΔNIHSS after adjusting for age, sex, and transfer time (p=0.03, β=0.27). Conclusions: Patients with poor outcomes have higher BP throughout the pre-CSC period, possibly reflecting an augmented hypertensive response. Reductions in SBP and MAP before arrival at the CSC are associated with neurologic worsening. These results suggest that BP management strategies in the pre-CSC period to avoid large reductions in BP may improve outcomes in patients affected by LVO stroke.

Abstract WP340: Impact of Increasing Primary Stroke Center Transfers on Comprehensive Stroke Center Capacity

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Holl ◽  
Andy Cai ◽  
Lauren Ha ◽  
Alin Hulli ◽  
Melina Paan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Capacity Limits ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Systems Of Care ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Occupancy Rates ◽  
Bed Occupancy Rates

Introduction: Given the time-sensitive benefits of acute stroke (AS) treatments, stroke systems of care must balance reducing door-in-door-out (DIDO) time at primary stroke centers (PSCs) with capacity limits at comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs). For example transferring more AS patients earlier in the process (e.g., prior vascular imaging for large vessel occlusion) from PSCs would result in more inappropriate transfers to CSCs that could overburden these centers.We conducted a simulation to estimate the balance between increased AS transfers from PSCs to CSCs and the percent of CSC time on “bypass” (inability to accept transfers to neuro-ICU). Methods: Clinicians from 3 Chicago-area CSCs and 3 affiliated PSCs and the Chicago Emergency Medical Services (EMS) created a PSC DIDO process map. We assumed CSC time on bypass is affected by AS and non-AS admissions from the CSC and from the affiliated PSCs. Input data were obtained fromtheChicago region registry (e.g., # PSC to CSC transfers), peer reviewed literature (US average transfer rate of AS patients to CSCs), EMS (PSC-CSC affiliations), and CSCs (e.g., average bed occupancy rates). CSC size was estimated by #neuro-ICU beds: small (12 beds), medium (23 beds), and large (28 beds). The simulation output was % time of CSC on “bypass”. Results: Table shows % time of CSC on bypass by varying PSC AS transfer rates for each category of CSC size. Larger increases in PSC transfer rates resulted in modest increases in CSC bypass rates, particularly for medium and large CSCs. Validation with data from one CSC showed < 4% overestimate of CSC % time on bypass. Conclusion: CSCs with more beds have efficiencies of scale leading to lower % time on bypass, even with increases in PSC AS transfer rates proportionate to CSC size. This model allows stroke systems of care to compute regional CSCs’ % time on bypass based on actual PSCs’ transfer rates and CSC size.

scholarly journals Personalized Prehospital Triage in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmee Venema ◽  
Hester F. Lingsma ◽  
Vicky Chalos ◽  
Maxim J.H.L. Mulder ◽  
Maarten M.H. Lahr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Base Case Scenario ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Prehospital Triage ◽  
Stroke Center

Background and Purpose— Direct transportation to a center with facilities for endovascular treatment might be beneficial for patients with acute ischemic stroke, but it can also cause harm by delay of intravenous treatment. Our aim was to determine the optimal prehospital transportation strategy for individual patients and to assess which factors influence this decision. Methods— We constructed a decision tree model to compare outcome of ischemic stroke patients after transportation to a primary stroke center versus a more distant intervention center. The optimal strategy was estimated based on individual patient characteristics, geographic location, and workflow times. In the base case scenario, the primary stroke center was located at 20 minutes and the intervention center at 45 minutes. Additional sensitivity analyses included an urban scenario (10 versus 20 minutes) and a rural scenario (30 versus 90 minutes). Results— Direct transportation to the intervention center led to better outcomes in the base case scenario when the likelihood of a large vessel occlusion as a cause of the ischemic stroke was >33%. With a high likelihood of large vessel occlusion (66%, comparable with a Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation score of 5 or above), the benefit of direct transportation to the intervention center was 0.10 quality-adjusted life years (=36 days in full health). In the urban scenario, direct transportation to an intervention center was beneficial when the risk of large vessel occlusion was 24% or higher. In the rural scenario, this threshold was 49%. Other factors influencing the decision included door-to-needle times, door-to-groin times, and the door-in-door-out time. Conclusions— The preferred prehospital transportation strategy for suspected stroke patients depends mainly on the likelihood of large vessel occlusion, driving times, and in-hospital workflow times. We constructed a robust model that combines these characteristics and can be used to personalize prehospital triage, especially in more remote areas.

Abstract WMP66: Minnesota Prehospital Stroke Scale For Prediction of Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takamasa Higashimori ◽  
David Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Patient Transport ◽  
Primary Stroke Center ◽  
Leg Weakness ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy

Intro: Recent randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients with Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO). Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is widely used tool by EMS but not specifically designed to predict ELVO. Previously reported prehospital stroke scales for ELVO have been limited, and not widely used. It is imperative to establish a simple and accurate tool for EMS to predict ELVO facilitating rapid patient transport to hospitals capable of endovascular intervention. Hypothesis: Minnesota Prehospital Stroke Scale (MPSS) can predict the presence of ELVO with high accuracy comparable to NIHSS. Methods: The MPSS assesses five parameters: Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Leg weakness, Speech difficulty and Eye deviation, with total score ranging 0-10 (See Table). We set MPSS 6 or above and NIHSS 7 or above as a cutoff for ELVO. We retrospectively analyzed all the stroke code patients seen in ED between January 2015 and April 2015 at a primary stroke center (n=120). We selected patients arriving in less than 6 hours with prehospital stroke alert activated by EMS. Hemorrhagic stroke patients were excluded. The following data were collected: 1) Presence of ELVO, 2) Initial NIHSS in ED, and 3) MPSS abstracted from initial ER NIHSS, then assessed the results using 2x2 table for ELVO and MPSS vs. NIHSS. Results: Of 28 patients meeting criteria, 6 (21%) had ELVO (ICA, M1/M2): Mean MPSS was 7.5, whereas mean NIHSS was 15 for ELVO patients. Mean HPSS was 1.6, whereas mean NIHSS was 5.1 for non-ELVO patients. Sensitivity 83%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 96%, and accuracy 96% for HPSS; sensitivity 83%, specificity 77%, PPV 50%, NPV 94% and accuracy 79% for NIHSS. Conclusion: MPSS may be a useful tool for predicting ELVO. Further studies are necessary to validate the efficacy of the scale.

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