Abstract P189: Using Telemedicine Eliminates The Weekend/after-hours Effect In Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombolysis During A Deadly Pandemic

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria V Diaz Rojas ◽  
Tzu-ching Wu ◽  
Liang Zhu ◽  
Christy T Ankrom ◽  
Alicia Zha ◽  
...  

Stroke care has been shown to be worse for patients presenting overnight/weekends (off-hours) to centers compare to those presenting during business hours (on-hours).Telemedicine (TM) helps provide safe management of stroke patients. The UT Teleneurology (UTT) hub provides acute neurological coverage by stroke specialists to 18 spoke centers. To our knowledge, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the “weekend effect” has not been studied. The objective is to compare TM consult volumes and time metrics of stroke patients who received tPA via TM off-hours with those on-hours during the pandemic. In a retrospective query of the UTT registry from 3/20 - 6/20, we identified 122 stroke patients who received tPA - 109 were included in our analysis - 2 were excluded after quality check, 11 were excluded as inpatient strokes. We compared baseline characteristics and time metrics between the off-hours (5pm-7:59am, weekends) and on-hours (weekdays 8am-4:59pm) patients (Table 1). We also compared the number of TM consults between the height of the pandemic (3/20 - 6/20) and the previous year (3/19 - 6/19). Of 109 patients, 72 were managed via TM during off-hours, 37 during on-hours. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. There were no differences in time metrics including door to needle time. Of note, there was no difference in the number of acute TM consults or patients receiving tPA. There were fewer routine TM consults during the pandemic, and a trend toward fewer phone consults. There was no difference in time metrics between the patients treated off-hours vs on-hours in the pandemic period. TM may be advantageous over in-person neurology coverage during crises, and is consistent regardless of the hour/day. Contrary to other studies, the number of acute TM consults and patients receiving tPA did not differ between the study periods. Routine consults decreased during the pandemic - perhaps coinciding with state closure mandates/fewer hospitalized stroke patients.

Author(s):  
Ganesh Asaithambi ◽  
Amy L Castle ◽  
Emily H Marino ◽  
Bridget M Ho ◽  
Sandra K Hanson

Background: It has been suggested that there is a “weekend effect” resulting in higher mortality rates for stroke patients admitted on weekends. We examine this phenomenon for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting to telestroke (TS) sites to determine its effect on stroke code process times and outcomes. Methods: From October 2015-June 2017, we reviewed consecutive AIS patients receiving IV alteplase within our TS network who then were transferred to our CSC. We compared patients presenting to TS sites on weekdays (Monday 0700 to Friday 1859) to patients presenting on weekends (Friday 1900 to Monday 0659). We analyzed door to code activation, code activation to TS evaluation, door to imaging, and door to needle times. Rates of favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) and death at 90 days were compared. Results: We identified 89 (54 weekday, 35 weekend) patients (mean age 71.8±13.3 years, 47.2% women) during the study period. Median door to code activation (15 [5, 27] vs 8 [1, 17] mins, p=0.01) and door to needle (61 [49, 73] vs 47 [35, 59] mins, p=0.003) times were significantly longer for patients presenting on weekends compared to weekdays. There were no significant differences in median door to imaging (weekend 17 [7, 30] vs weekday 11 [6, 21], p=0.1) and code activation to TS evaluation (weekend 7 [6, 10] vs weekday 5 [4, 9], p=0.14) times. The rates of favorable outcome (weekend 50% vs weekday 66.7%, p=0.18) and death (weekend 8.3% vs weekday 4.8%, p=0.56) at 90 days were not significantly different. Conclusion: While there were no significant differences in outcomes, the “weekend effect” results in slower door to code activation and door to needle times. Efforts to improve methods in increasing efficiency of care on weekends should be considered.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archit Bhatt ◽  
Elizabeth Barban ◽  
Leslie Corless ◽  
Tamela Stuchiner ◽  
Amit Kansara

Background: Research has shown that subjects evaluated at (Primary Stroke Centers) PSCs are more likely to receive rt–PA than those evaluated at non–PSCs. It is unknown if telestroke evaluation affects rt-PA rates at non-PSCs. We hypothesized that with a robust telestroke system rt-TPA rates among PSCs and non-PSCs are not significantly different. Methods and Results: Data were obtained from the Providence Stroke Registry from January 2010 to December 2012. We identified ischemic stroke patients (n=3307) who received care in Oregon and Southwest Washington, which include 2 PSCs and 14 non-PSCs. Intravenous rt–PA was administered to 7.3% (n=242) of ischemic patients overall, 8.4% (n=79) at non–PSCs and 6.9% (n=163) at PSCs (p=.135). Stroke neurologists evaluated 5.2 % (n=172) of all ischemic stroke patients (n=3307) were evaluated via telestroke robot. Our analysis included AIS (Acute Ischemic Stroke) patients, those presenting within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. We identified 1070 AIS discharges from 16 hospitals of which 77.9 % (n=833) were at PSCs and 22.1 % (n=237) non-PSCs. For acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) patients, those presenting within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, 22.1% (n=237) received rt-PA; 21.5% (n=74) presented at non–PSCs and 23.7% (n=163) presented at PSCs. Among AIS, bivariate analysis showed significant differences in treatment rates by race, age, NIHSS at admit, previous stroke or TIA, PVD, use of robot, smoking and time from patient arrival to CT completed. Using multiple logistic regression adjusting for these variables, treatment was significantly related to admit NIHSS (AOR=1.67, p<.001), history of stroke (AOR=.323, p<.001), TIA (AOR=.303, p=.01) and PVD (AOR=.176, p=.02), time to CT (.971, p<.001), and use of robot (7.76, p<.001). PSC designation was not significantly related to treatment (p=.06). Conclusions: Through the use of a robust telestroke system, there are no significant differences in the TPA treatment rates between non-PSC and PSC facilities. Telestroke systems can ensure stroke patients access to acute stroke care at non-PSC hospitals.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
Mohammad El-Ghanem ◽  
Francisco E. Gomez ◽  
Prateeka Koul ◽  
Rolla Nuoman ◽  
Justin G. Santarelli ◽  
...  

Background: Traditionally, patients undergoing acute ischemic strokes were candidates for mechanical thrombectomy if they were within the 6-h window from onset of symptoms. This timeframe would exclude many patient populations, such as wake-up strokes. However, the most recent clinical trials, DAWN and DEFUSE3, have expanded the window of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke patients to within 24 h from symptom onset. This expanded window increases the number of potential candidates for endovascular intervention for emergent large vessel occlusions and raises the question of how to efficiently screen and triage this increase of patients. Summary: Abbreviated pre-hospital stroke scales can be used to guide EMS personnel in quickly deciding if a patient is undergoing a stroke. Telestroke networks connect remote hospitals to stroke specialists to improve the transportation time of the patient to a comprehensive stroke center for the appropriate level of care. Mobile stroke units, mobile interventional units, and helistroke reverse the traditional hub-and-spoke model by bringing imaging, tPA, and expertise to the patient. Smartphone applications and social media aid in educating patients and the public regarding acute and long-term stroke care. Key Messages: The DAWN and DEFUSE3 trials have expanded the treatment window for certain acute ischemic stroke patients with mechanical thrombectomy and subsequently have increased the number of potential candidates for endovascular intervention. This expansion brings patient screening and triaging to greater importance, as reducing the time from symptom onset to decision-to-treat and groin puncture can better stroke patient outcomes. Several strategies have been employed to address this issue by reducing the time of symptom onset to decision-to-treat time.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S47-S51
Author(s):  
Kimberly P Kicielinski ◽  
Christopher S Ogilvy

Abstract As ischemic stroke care advances with more patients eligible for mechanical thrombectomy, so too does the role of the neurosurgeon in these patients. Neurosurgeons are an important member of the team from triage through the intensive care unit. This paper explores current research and insights on the contributions of neurosurgeons in care of acute ischemic stroke patients in the acute setting.


Author(s):  
Zhenzhen Rao ◽  
Zixiao Li ◽  
Hongqiu Gu ◽  
Yilong Wang ◽  
Yongjun Wang

Background: Intravenous Thrombolysis with Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator (rt-PA) availability at Chinese hospitals varies and may affect care quality for acute ischemic stroke patients. Limited research has shown whether there were differences in quality of care at China National Stroke Registry (CNSR II) hospitals based on rt-PA capability. Methods: For acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to CNSR II hospitals between 2012 and 2013, care quality at hospitals with or without Intravenous rt-PA capability was examined by evaluating conformity with performance and quality measures. The primary outcome was guideline-concordant care, defined as compliance with 10 predefined individual guideline-recommended performance metrics and composite score. A composite score was defined as the total number of interventions actually performed among eligible patients divided by the total number of recommended interventions among eligible patients. Propensity score matching was used to balance the baseline characteristics. We used cox model with shared frailty model and logistic regression with generalized estimating equation to compare the relationship between hospitals with rt-PA capability and hospitals without rt-PA on quality measures. Results: This study included 19604 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to 219 CNSR II hospitals. Before matching, there were 7928 patients admitted to 86 (40.4%) hospitals with rt-PA capability and 11676 patients admitted to 133 (59.6%) hospitals without rt-PA capability. After matching, 7606 pairs of patients in rt-PA-capable hospitals and rt-PA-incapable hospitals were analyzed. Before matching, the composite score of guideline-concordant process of care was higher at hospitals with rt-PA capability than hospitals without rt-PA capability (74% versus 73%, P=0.0126). Hospitals with rt-PA capability were more likely to perform deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis within 48 hours of admission, dysphagia screening, assessment or receiving of rehabilitation, discharge antithrombotic, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and medications for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ≥100mg/dL. But hospitals with rt-PA capability were less likely to perform antithrombotic medication within 48 hours of admission and hypoglycemic therapy at discharge for patients with diabetes. After matching, differences of stroke care quality between hospitals with rt-PA capability and without rt-PA capability still exist after adjusting covariates. Conclusions: The CNSR II hospitals were associated with better performance in some of the hospitals but not all of them. The difference in conformity between rt-PA-capable hospitals and rt-PA-incapable hospitals was modest for performance measures of stroke care. However, more room for improvement still exists in key quality performance measures and further studies should be explored.


Stroke ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert Sulter ◽  
Jan Willem Elting ◽  
Marc Langedijk ◽  
Natasha M. Maurits ◽  
Jacques De Keyser

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
TC Cossey ◽  
Amanda Jagolino ◽  
Christy Ankrom ◽  
Arvind B. Bambhroliya ◽  
Chunyan Cai ◽  
...  

Thrombosis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany M. Gouse ◽  
Amelia K. Boehme ◽  
Dominique J. Monlezun ◽  
James E. Siegler ◽  
Alex J. George ◽  
...  

Background. Heightened levels of Factor VIII (FVIII) have been associated with both arterial and venous thrombosis. While elevated FVIII is common during acute ischemic stroke (AIS), whether elevated FVIII confers an increased risk for recurrent thrombotic events (RTEs) following AIS has not been previously explored. Methods. Consecutive AIS patients who presented to our center between July 2008 and September 2013 and had FVIII measured during admission were identified from our stroke registry. Baseline characteristics and the occurrence of RTE (recurrent or progressive ischemic stroke, DVT/PE, and MI) were compared in patients with and without elevated FVIII levels. Results. Of the 298 patients included, 203 (68.1%) had elevated FVIII levels. Patients with elevated FVIII had higher rates of any in-hospital RTE (18.7% versus 8.4%, P=0.0218). This association remained after adjustment for baseline stroke severity and etiology (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, P=0.0013). Rates of major disability were also higher in patients who experienced a RTE (17.8% versus 3.2%, P<0.0001). Conclusion. A significantly higher frequency of in-hospital RTEs occurred in AIS patients with elevated FVIII. The occurrence of such events was associated with higher morbidity. Further study is indicated to evaluate whether FVIII is a candidate biomarker for increased risk of RTEs following AIS.


Stroke ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tc Cossey ◽  
Chunyan Cai ◽  
Arvind Bambhroliya ◽  
Amanda Jagolino ◽  
Christy Ankrom ◽  
...  

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