Abstract P296: Utility of Routine Transfer for Patients Administered Intravenous Alteplase for Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Intravenous Alteplase is currently the only approved medical therapy for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although complications are uncommon, AIS patients receiving IV Alteplase are routinely transferred to higher level stroke centers for monitoring. This resource intensive treatment paradigm is of unclear medical benefit. Methods: We reviewed the stroke thrombolysis database of a single comprehensive stroke center. All presumed AIS patients who received IV Alteplase without thrombectomy from 01/01/2015 to 12/31/2019 were included. Baseline demographics including age, sex, race, ethnicity, comorbidities, and NIHSS were abstracted. Complication rates including angioedema, intracranial and extracranial hemorrhage were recorded. To determine the utility of routine transfer, medical and surgical/neurosurgical interventions to treat complications of Alteplase administration were studied. Complication rates in the transfer and non-transfer cohorts were compared via Fischer’s exact test. Results: Three hundred eighteen patients were reviewed and 222 consecutive AIS patients (median age 67 [IQR 55.5-77], female 48.6%, median NIHSS 5 [IQR 2-10], transfers 54.5%) were eligible for our analysis. Complication rates were not statistically different between transfer and non-transfer patients. Four (1.8%) patients suffered symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). All sICH patients received cryoprecipitate and aggressive blood pressure management; none underwent emergent neurosurgical intervention. Conclusion: The overall rate of complications post-Alteplase administration for AIS patients was similarly low between transfer and non-transfer patients. These findings call into question the utility of routine transfer of AIS patients treated with Alteplase. Further study of alternative post-Alteplase monitoring strategies, including remote specialist management via telemedicine, should be considered.

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Abstract T P3: Safety of Eptifibatide after Full Dose IV tPA and Endovascular Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.46.suppl_1.tp3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jawad F Kirmani ◽

Daniel Korya ◽

Grace Choi ◽

Jaskiran Brar ◽

Harina Chahal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Favorable Outcome ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Categorical Data Analysis ◽

Exact Test ◽

Full Dose ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Iv Tpa

Background and Objective: The safety of eptifibatide in combination with IV tPA for ischemic stroke has recently been demonstrated in the CLEAR-ER trial which used .6 mg/kg IV tPA plus eptifibatide (135 mcg/kg bolus and .75mcg/kg/min two-hour infusion) versus standard tPA (.9 mg/kg). Prior studies have also looked into the combination of intra-arterial (IA) tPA and eptifibatide at dosing and duration similar to cardiology literature. Our aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of eptifibatide after full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment versus full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment alone. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records and procedure reports of patients who underwent endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke from 2010-2013 at a university affiliated comprehensive stroke center. Patients who received full dose IV tPA (.9 mg/kg) followed by endovascular treatment were compared with those who had the same treatment, but also received a bolus of 135 mcg/kg of eptifibatide followed by a .5 mcg/kg/min for 20 hours (based on IMPACT-II trial protocol). The initial and discharge NIH Stroke Scale as well as the discharge mRS (DCmRS) were evaluated. A DCmRS of 0 or 1 was considered a favorable outcome, and 2 or more was considered as a unfavorable. Initial stroke severity (NIHSS) was analyzed with logistic regression for baseline comparison and Fisher’s exact test were used for categorical data analysis. Results: We evaluated 2,016 patients with ischemic stroke, of which 230 received IV tPA and 91 (55% female) underwent endovascular treatment, 44 of them also received eptifibatide. Of the 44 patients who received eptifibatide (bolus and 20 hour infusion), 18% (n=8) had a favorable outcome, and in the group that did not receive eptifibatide , 9% (n=4) had a favorable outcome (OR=2.389, 95% CI 0.6645 to 8.589, p= 0.2217). Conclusion: Eptifibatide in combination with full dose IV tPA and endovascular treatment did not increase morbidity in our patient population, and may have improved outcome. Further, larger trials need to be conducted for more definitive results.

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Age ≥80 Years Is Not a Contraindication for Intra-Arterial Therapy after Ischemic Stroke

Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽

10.1159/000437019 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (3-4) ◽

pp. 121-128

Author(s):

Jan Leonard ◽

Donald Frei ◽

Kristin Salottolo ◽

Christopher V. Fanale ◽

Jeffrey C. Wagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Community Hospital ◽

The Elderly ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

History Of ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Age Range ◽

Univariate Analyses

Background: Clinical trials confirmed the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) in the management of ischemic stroke. At a community hospital, we compared outcomes in patients aged ≥80 and patients in the age range 55-79 years receiving IAT following ischemic stroke. Methods: Data were retrospectively abstracted for ischemic stroke patients ≥55 years treated with IAT at an urban comprehensive stroke center between 2010 and 2013. Baseline demographics, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), in-hospital mortality, discharge modified Rankin scale (mRS) score (favorable ≤2) and improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS; decreased score at discharge) were compared between patients in the age range 55-79 and patients ≥80 years. Data were analyzed using univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results: IAT was performed in 239 patients with ischemic stroke; 63 (26.4%) were ≥80 years. When compared to patients aged 55-79, the elderly patients were more often female and non-smokers, with a history of atrial fibrillation. No differences were observed in those ≥80 years compared to patients in the age range 55-79 years for sICH (10 vs. 5%, p = 0.23), mortality (24 vs. 18%, p = 0.28), favorable discharge mRS score (13 vs. 19%, p = 0.27), or improvement in NIHSS (83 vs. 92%, p = 0.10). The nonsignificant association of age with the outcomes persisted after adjusting for covariates and when analyzing the subset of patients who received IAT only. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in a cohort not subject to the criteria of a clinical trial, age ≥80 years should not be a contraindication to IAT.

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Mothership versus drip and ship for thrombectomy in patients who had an acute stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-014249 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 14-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Mohammad Ismail ◽

Xavier Armoiry ◽

Noam Tau ◽

François Zhu ◽

Udi Sadeh-Gonik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Relative Risk ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

BackgroundThe effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is time-dependent. While only stroke centers with endovascular capabilities perform MT, many patients who had a stroke initially present to the closest primary stroke centers capable of administering earlier intravenous thrombolysis, and then require to be transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for MT.PurposeTo compare the outcomes of this care pathway (drip and ship (DS)) with that whereby patients are directly transferred to a comprehensive stroke center (mothership (MS)).MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies using several electronic databases to determine whether successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction ≥2b), functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and 90-day mortality differed between those who underwent MT with the DS or the MS treatment pathway. Outcomes were meta-analyzed and the results expressed as adjusted relative risk (aRR) for the primary analysis and unadjusted relative risk (uRR) for secondary analysis.ResultsEight studies including 2068 patients were selected, including one study reporting results fully adjusted for baseline characteristics. Patients undergoing MS had better functional independence than those undergoing DS (uRR=0.87, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.93; aRR=0.87, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.98). No difference was found between the treatment pathways in successful reperfusion (uRR=1.05, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.15; aRR=1.00, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.10), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (uRR=1.37, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.06; aRR, 1.53, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.98), and 90-day mortality (uRR=1.00, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.19; aRR=1.21, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.64).ConclusionsPatients who had an acute ischemic stroke admitted directly to a comprehensive stroke center (MS patients) with endovascular capacities may have better 90-day outcomes than those receiving DS treatment. However, major limitations of current evidence (ie, retrospective studies and selection bias) suggest a need for adequately powered studies. Multicenter randomized controlled trials are expected to answer this question.

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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

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/02841851211006897 ◽

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.

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Comparative Analysis on Low- and Standard-Dose Regimes of Alteplase Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Efficacy and Safety

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000485460 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 79 (1-2) ◽

pp. 68-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Guangjian Zhao ◽

Tingfen Huang ◽

Mei Zheng ◽

Yansen Cui ◽

Yunyong Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Thrombolytic Therapy ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Dose Group ◽

Low Dose ◽

Standard Dose ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Intravenous Alteplase

Objective: This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of low-dose and standard-dose alteplase intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: Patients with AIS who underwent intravenous alteplase thrombolysis from July 2012 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed and correspondingly divided into low-dose (0.6–0.89 mg/kg) group and standard-dose group (0.9 mg/kg) according to alteplase dosage. The clinical outcome was evaluated by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days after onset. The safety index was the mortality at 90 days after onset and the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) within 7 days. Results: A total of 1,486 patients were included (1,115 cases in low-dose group and 371 cases in standard-dose group). There were no significant differences in baseline data between the 2 groups. As mRS, good outcome rate as well as mortality rate in both groups had no significant difference (36.1 vs. 37.6%; χ2 = 10.882, p = 0.890; 5.5 vs. 7.3%; χ2 = 2.163, p = 0.076), but the incidence of SICH in low-dose group was significantly lower than that of the standard-dose group (2.2 vs. 5.9%; χ2 = 3.157, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The efficacy of low-dose alteplase intravenous thrombolytic therapy for AIS was equivalent to the standard-dose regimen but with higher safety.

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Abstract 3313: Outcomes of “Drip-and-Ship” Paradigm Among Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. Results of a State Wide Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3313 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Saqib A Chaudhry ◽

Gustavo J Rodriguez ◽

M. Fareed K Suri ◽

Adnan I Qureshi

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Population Based ◽

Primary Diagnosis ◽

Hospital Charges ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Frequency Distributions ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background: “Drip-and-ship” denotes patients in whom intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is initiated at the emergency department (ED) of a community hospital, followed by transfer within 24 hours to a comprehensive stroke center. Although drip-and-ship paradigm has the potential to increase the number of patients who receive IV rt-PA, comparative outcomes have not been assessed at a population based level. Methods: State-wide estimates of thrombolysis, associated in-hospital outcomes and mortality were obtained from 2008-2009 Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) data. Patient numbers and frequency distributions were calculated for state-wide sample of patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Patients outcomes were analyzed after stratification into patients treated with IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival or drip-and-ship paradigm. Results: Of the 21,024 admissions, 602 (2.86%) received IV rt-PA either through primary ED arrival (n=473) or drip-and-ship paradigm (n=129). The rates of secondary intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage were higher in patients treated with IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival compared with those treated with drip-and-ship paradigm (8.5% versus 3.1, p=0.038). The in-hospital mortality rate was similar among ischemic stroke patients receiving IV rt-PA through primary ED arrival or drip-and-ship paradigm (5.9% versus 7.0%). The mean hospital charges were $65,669 for primary ED arrival and $47,850 for drip-and-ship treated patients (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of drip-and-ship paradigm compare favorably with IV rt-PA treatment through primary ED arrival in this state-wide study.

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Abstract 83: Etiology of Late Right-to-Left Shunting on Transcranial Doppler in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.83 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Adam de Havenon ◽

Anne Moore ◽

Nicholas Freeberg ◽

Ali Sultan-Qurraie ◽

David Tirschwell

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Transcranial Doppler ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Contrast Injection ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Etiology ◽

Standard Component ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Toast Classification

Background: An echocardiogram or transcranial Doppler (TCD) bubble study to test for a right-to-left shunt (RLS) is a standard component of an ischemic stroke workup. Because the pathway for an intracradiac RLS, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), is more direct, it has been proposed that the late appearance of a RLS suggests an extracardiac pathway. We sought to characterize a cohort of ischemic stroke patients with late RLS (LRLS) on TCD. Methods: We searched the medical record of a Comprehensive Stroke Center for patients with ischemic stroke who had a TCD and echocardiogram bubble study during 2011-2013. LRLS was defined as TCD bubbles appearing more than 18 cardiac cycles after contrast injection. TOAST stroke etiology classification was performed by a vascular neurologist blinded to TCD results. Results: 124 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 67/124 (54%) had RLS on TCD; and 32/67 (48%) had LRLS. In the 35/67 patients with normal RLS on TCD, 23% did not have RLS on echocardiography, consistent with prior reports of TCD’s superiority for detecting RLS. In the 32/67 patients with LRLS on TCD, 56% were negative for RLS by echocardiography. In the cohort of 124 patients, the percentage of TOAST classification 4 (stroke of other determined cause) was 26%, while in the 32 patients with LRLS the percentage of TOAST 4 was significantly higher at 52%(p=0.005) (Table 1). The increase in TOAST 4 in LRLS patients was created by an even distribution of decreases in the other TOAST categories. The most common TOAST 4 stroke etiology in LRLS patients was PFO with concurrent deep venous thrombosis. Conclusion: This preliminary data supports prior studies that have shown superiority of TCD over echocardiography for detection of RLS, and challenge the prevailing notion that extracardiac shunt, such as pulmonary AVM, is the most common cause of LRLS in ischemic stroke patients. This subgroup of patients warrants further research to clarify mechanisms of ischemic stroke in patients with RLS.

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Abstract TP317: Utility and Cost of Inpatient Thrombophilia Testing in Ischemic Stroke Patients Aged 18-60

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.tp317 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Effrosyni Apostolidou ◽

Priya Khatri ◽

Eric Thomas ◽

Sean Savitz ◽

Alicia Zha

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Inpatient Setting ◽

Initial Hospital ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

One Year ◽

Care Costs ◽

Fvl Mutation

Introduction: Patients (pts) <60 years with ischemic stroke (IS) are commonly tested for thrombophilias (TP) due to the perception that there could be underlying hypercoagulable states. However, inherited TPs are largely not a risk factor for IS; and testing for acquired TPs in an acute inpatient setting may yield erroneous results that increase health care costs. We reviewed the frequency and cost of TP testing at our institution as part of a plan-do-study act cycle for improving the utilization of inpatient TP testing in young pts after IS. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 18-60 year old pts admitted for IS to our comprehensive stroke center between 11/2016 and 7/2018. Pts discharged with a stroke etiology not attributed to large vessel (LV), small vessel (SV), or cardioembolic (CE) origin and the initial hospital TP testing monitored. Pts seen subsequently in clinic or later admissions in our system were monitored. Results: Of 1,162 pts, 104 without diagnosed LV/SV/CE etiologies were identified. At least one TP test was performed in 82 (79%) pts (Table 1). In 70 pts testing was done in the initial 24 hrs of hospitalization. One test abnormality was seen in 42 (51%) pts but anticoagulation was initiated in only one 1 patient at discharge. Forty-seven (45%) pts were followed in our outpatient clinic, with a mean follow up of 5 (0.2 – 24) months. TP was confirmed in 3 pts in clinic – two with heterozygous FVL mutation and one with known homozygous FVL mutation. The total charges of the initial inpatient testing is estimated to be as high as $222,150 for 82 patients. Conclusion: Frequent inpatient TP testing in young pts with cryptogenic stroke does not change management and can be costly to the hospital. Based on these results, we created a practice guideline to improve utilization of TP testing starting January 2019. A one year analysis of the effectiveness, safety, and cost for these changes is ongoing.

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

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p188 ◽

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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Abstract 183: Time to Alteplase and Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Complication Rates

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad U Farooq ◽

Kathie Thomas

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

American Heart ◽

Phase Iii ◽

P Value ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Get With The Guidelines

Background/Objective: The American Heart Association’s Target Stroke initiative focuses on reducing door-to-needle time for faster treatment with Alteplase and improved patient outcomes. The concern for reducing door-to-needle time is that there will be an increase in complication rates, specifically the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). This study sought to review whether reduced door-to-needle times were associated with increased rates of complications in Midwest hospitals. Methods: A retrospective review of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with Alteplase was conducted from 2010-2018 in 13 Midwestern states (IN, IL, KS, KY, MI, MN, NO, ND, OH, SD, and WI) using the American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke database. Percentage of eligible patients treated with Alteplase, treatment times, and complication rates were reviewed. Results: From 2010-2018 the rate of ischemic stroke patients treated with Alteplase in the approved 3-hour window increased from 68.9% to 88.5%. The number of patients treated with Alteplase in 60 minutes increased from 24.1% in 2010 to 74.9% in 2018. The median time to treatment for Alteplase was reduced from 80 minutes in 2010 to 46 minutes in 2018. The rate of complications associated with thrombolytics was 6.5% in 2010 and dropped to 4.5% in 2018. This is statistically significant at a p-value of .05. Conclusions: In the Midwest Region, a reduction in door-to-needle times was not associated with increased complication rates. Interestingly, a reduction in door-to-needle times was associated with a reduction in complication rates. This supports the American Heart Association’s new Target Stroke Phase III initiative which seeks to further reduce door-to-needle times.

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