Letter by Kwan et al Regarding Article, “Acute Stroke Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Confinement Impact Eligibility for Endovascular Therapy?”

Abstract Background The prehospital identification of stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion (LVO), that should be immediately transported to a thrombectomy capable centre is an unsolved problem. Our aim was to determine whether implementation of a state-wide standard operating procedure (SOP) using the Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS) is feasible and enables correct triage of stroke patients to hospitals offering (comprehensive stroke centres, CSCs) or not offering (primary stroke centres, PSCs) thrombectomy. Methods Prospective study involving all patients with suspected acute stroke treated in a 4-month period in a state-wide network of all stroke-treating hospitals (eight PSCs and two CSCs). Primary endpoint was accuracy of the triage SOP in correctly transferring patients to CSCs or PSCs. Additional endpoints included the number of secondary transfers, the accuracy of the LAMS for detection of LVO, apart from stroke management metrics. Results In 1123 patients, use of a triage SOP based on the LAMS allowed triage decisions according to LVO status with a sensitivity of 69.2% (95% confidence interval (95%-CI): 59.0–79.5%) and a specificity of 84.9% (95%-CI: 82.6–87.3%). This was more favourable than the conventional approach of transferring every patient to the nearest stroke-treating hospital, as determined by geocoding for each patient (sensitivity, 17.9% (95%-CI: 9.4–26.5%); specificity, 100% (95%-CI: 100–100%)). Secondary transfers were required for 14 of the 78 (17.9%) LVO patients. Regarding the score itself, LAMS detected LVO with a sensitivity of 67.5% (95%-CI: 57.1–78.0%) and a specificity of 83.5% (95%-CI: 81.0–86.0%). Conclusions State-wide implementation of a triage SOP requesting use of the LAMS tool is feasible and improves triage decision-making in acute stroke regarding the most appropriate target hospital.

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Improving the outcome of acute stroke management

Hospital Medicine ◽

10.12968/hosp.1999.60.1.1025 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 44-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michael Hennerici

Keyword(s):

Acute Stroke ◽

Stroke Management

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E-044 Impact and outcomes of physiologic imaging for acute stroke patient selection for endovascular therapy

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/jnis.2010.003251.44 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (Suppl_1) ◽

pp. A43-A43

Author(s):

A. Turk ◽

I. Chaudry ◽

R. Turner

Keyword(s):

Acute Stroke ◽

Patient Selection ◽

Stroke Patient ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Acute Stroke Patient ◽

Selection For

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Abstract 180: The Growth Rate of Early DWI Lesions is Highly Variable and Associated with Penumbral Salvage and Clinical Outcomes Following Endovascular Reperfusion

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.a180 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Hayley M Wheeler ◽

Michael Mlynash ◽

Manabu Inoue ◽

Aaryani Tipirneni ◽

John Liggins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Initial Growth ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Final Volume ◽

Favorable Clinical Response

Background: The degree of variability in the rate of early DWI expansion has not been well characterized. We hypothesized that Target Mismatch patients with slowly expanding DWI lesions have more penumbral salvage and better clinical outcomes following endovascular reperfusion than Target Mismatch patients with rapidly expanding DWI lesions. Methods: This substudy of DEFUSE 2 included all patients with a clearly established time of symptom onset. The initial DWI growth rate was determined from the baseline scan by assuming a volume 0 ml just prior to symptom onset. Target Mismatch patients who achieved reperfusion (>50% reduction in PWI after endovascular therapy), were categorized into tertiles according to their initial DWI growth rates. For each tertile, penumbral salvage (comparison of final volume to the volume of PWI (Tmax > 6 sec)/ DWI mismatch prior to endovascular therapy), favorable clinical response, and good functional outcome (see figure for definitions) were calculated. We also compared the growth rate in patients with the Target mismatch vs. Malignant Profile. Results: 64 patients were eligible for this study. Target mismatch patients (n=44) had initial growth rates (range 0 to 43 ml/hr, median of 3 ml/hr) that were significantly less than the growth rates in Malignant profile (n=7) patients (12 to 92 ml/hr, median 39 ml/hr; p < 0.001). In Target mismatch patients who achieved reperfusion (n=30), slower early DWI growth rates were associated with better clinical outcomes (p<0.05) and a trend toward more penumbral salvage (n=27, p=0.137). Conclusions: The growth rate of early DWI lesions in acute stroke patients is highly variable; Malignant profile patients have higher growth rates than other MRI profiles. Among Target Mismatch patients, a slower rate of DWI growth is associated with a greater degree of penumbral salvage and improved clinical outcomes following endovascular reperfusion.

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Abstract W MP60: Atrial Fibrillation is Associated with Worse Collaterals in Acute Stroke: Angiography in the ENDOSTROKE Registry

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.wmp60 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

David S Liebeskind ◽

Christian H Nolte ◽

Georg Bohner ◽

Tobias Neumann-Haefelin ◽

Erich Hofmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Cardioembolic Stroke ◽

Baseline Risk ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

Stroke Etiology ◽

The Impact

Background: Risk factors for stroke may alter hemodynamics or invoke ischemic preconditioning, yet the impact of such factors on response to acute stroke treatment and the potential relationship with collateral circulation remains unknown. Methods: Consecutive cases enrolled in the International Multicenter Registry for Mechanical Recanalization Procedures in Acute Stroke (ENDOSTROKE) were analyzed with respect to collateral status on baseline angiography before endovascular therapy. ASITN/SIR collateral grade (0-1/2/3-4) was scored by the core lab, blind to all other data. Collateral grade was analyzed with respect to numerous baseline risk factors, demographics and outcomes after endovascular intervention. Results: 109 patients (median age 69 years (25 th , 75 th percentiles: 56, 77); 51% women; median baseline NIHSS 15 (13, 18)) with complete (TICI 0) anterior circulation occlusions (M1, n=71; ICA, n=28; M2, n=10) at baseline were evaluated based on collateral grade (0-1, n=12; 2, n=41; 3-4, n=56). Worse collaterals were noted in patients with atrial fibrillation (ASITN grades 0-1/2/3-4: 21%/30%/49%) as compared to patients without atrial fibrillation (5%/42%/53%, p=0.024), yet cardioembolic stroke etiology was unrelated. Other baseline features such as age, gender, time to presentation, other co-morbidities and labs were unrelated to collateral grade. Post-procedure reperfusion (TICI 2b-3) was significantly associated with better collaterals (OR 2.58 (1.343-4.957, p=0.004). Similarly, final infarct size was significantly smaller in those with better collaterals. Good clinical outcomes (mRS 0-2 at day 90) were less frequent in those with poorer collaterals (OR 0.403 (0.199-0.813, p=0.011). Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation, but not cardioembolic stroke etiology, is associated with worse collaterals. Hemodynamic implications, such as diminished cardiac output due to atrial fibrillation, may result in less favorable outcomes after endovascular therapy for acute stroke.

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Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations for Acute Stroke Management: Prehospital, Emergency Department, and Acute Inpatient Stroke Care, 6th Edition, Update 2018

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493018786616 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 949-984 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

JM Boulanger ◽

MP Lindsay ◽

G Gubitz ◽

EE Smith ◽

G Stotts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Transient Ischemic Attack ◽

Best Practice ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Stroke Management ◽

Practice Recommendations ◽

Prehospital Emergency ◽

Ischemic Attack

The 2018 update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations for Acute Stroke Management, 6th edition, is a comprehensive summary of current evidence-based recommendations, appropriate for use by healthcare providers and system planners caring for persons with very recent symptoms of acute stroke or transient ischemic attack. The recommendations are intended for use by a interdisciplinary team of clinicians across a wide range of settings and highlight key elements involved in prehospital and Emergency Department care, acute treatments for ischemic stroke, and acute inpatient care. The most notable changes included in this 6th edition are the renaming of the module and its integration of the formerly separate modules on prehospital and emergency care and acute inpatient stroke care. The new module, Acute Stroke Management: Prehospital, Emergency Department, and Acute Inpatient Stroke Care is now a single, comprehensive module addressing the most important aspects of acute stroke care delivery. Other notable changes include the removal of two sections related to the emergency management of intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. These topics are covered in a new, dedicated module, to be released later this year. The most significant recommendation updates are for neuroimaging; the extension of the time window for endovascular thrombectomy treatment out to 24 h; considerations for treating a highly selected group of people with stroke of unknown time of onset; and recommendations for dual antiplatelet therapy for a limited duration after acute minor ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. This module also emphasizes the need for increased public and healthcare provider’s recognition of the signs of stroke and immediate actions to take; the important expanding role of paramedics and all emergency medical services personnel; arriving at a stroke-enabled Emergency Department without delay; and launching local healthcare institution code stroke protocols. Revisions have also been made to the recommendations for the triage and assessment of risk of recurrent stroke after transient ischemic attack/minor stroke and suggested urgency levels for investigations and initiation of management strategies. The goal of this updated guideline is to optimize stroke care across Canada, by reducing practice variations and reducing the gap between current knowledge and clinical practice.

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