Abstract 1122‐000031: Reasons Thrombectomy Candidates Become Ineligible After Transfer for Treatment in a Hub‐And‐Spoke Telestroke Model

Author(s):  
Robert W Regenhardt ◽  
Amine Awad ◽  
Andrew W Kraft ◽  
Joseph A Rosenthal ◽  
Adam A Dmytriw ◽  
...  

Introduction : The care of emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke patients has been revolutionized by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Given its robust efficacy, it is crucial to optimize delivery to eligible patients. Within hub‐and‐spoke hospital system models, some patients first present to distant spoke hospitals and require transfer to hub hospitals for EVT. We sought to understand reasons EVT candidates become ineligible after transfer for treatment. Methods : Consecutive EVT candidates presenting to 25 spokes from 2018 to 2020 with pre‐transfer CTA‐defined ELVO and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score ≥6 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Outcomes of interest included hub EVT, reasons for EVT ineligibility, and 90‐day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale, mRS ≤2). Results : 258 patients were identified with median age 70 years (IQR 60–81) and 50% female. 44% underwent EVT upon hub arrival, of which 87% achieved Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b‐3 reperfusion. Compared to EVT‐eligible patients, ineligible patients were older (73 vs 68 years, p = 0.04), had lower NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS, 10 vs 16, p<0.0001), longer LKW‐hub arrival time (8.4 vs 4.6 hours, p<0.0001), and received less IV alteplase (32% vs 45%, p = 0.04). The clinical reasons cited for becoming EVT ineligible upon hub arrival included large established infarct (49%), mild symptoms (33%), recanalization (6%), distal occlusion location (5%), subocclusive lesion (3%), and goals of care (3%). Becoming EVT ineligible independently reduced the odds of 90‐day functional independence (aOR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.12,0.56; p = 0.001), even when controlling for age, NIHSS, and LKW‐hub arrival time. Conclusions : Approaches to increase EVT eligibility among ELVO transfers may improve long term outcomes. A primary reason for becoming EVT ineligible is infarct growth. Future studies should explore triaging patients directly to EVT‐capable hubs when feasible, improving inter‐hospital transfer times, supporting ischemic penumbra before EVT, and developing novel neuroprotective agents.

2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017819
Author(s):  
Robert W Regenhardt ◽  
Joseph A Rosenthal ◽  
Amine Awad ◽  
Juan Carlos Martinez-Gutierrez ◽  
Neal M Nolan ◽  
...  

BackgroundRandomized trials have not demonstrated benefit from intravenous thrombolysis among patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). However, these trials included primarily patients presenting directly to an EVT capable hub center. We sought to study outcomes for EVT candidates who presented to spoke hospitals and were subsequently transferred for EVT consideration, comparing those administered alteplase at spokes (i.e., ‘drip-and-ship’ model) versus those not.MethodsConsecutive EVT candidates presenting to 25 spokes from 2018 to 2020 with pre-transfer CT angiography defined emergent large vessel occlusion and Alberta Stroke Program CT score ≥6 were identified from a prospectively maintained Telestroke database. Outcomes of interest included adequate reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b–3), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), discharge functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2), and 90 day functional independence.ResultsAmong 258 patients, median age was 70 years (IQR 60–81), median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 13 (6-19), and 50% were women. Ninety-eight (38%) were treated with alteplase at spokes and 113 (44%) underwent EVT at the hub. Spoke alteplase use independently increased the odds of discharge mRS ≤2 (adjusted OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.46, p=0.03) and 90 day mRS ≤2 (adjusted OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.65 to 7.22, p=0.001), even when controlling for last known well, NIHSS, and EVT; it was not associated with an increased risk of ICH (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.78, p=0.94), and there was a trend toward association with greater TICI 2b–3 (OR 3.59, 95% CI 0.94 to 13.70, p=0.06).ConclusionsIntravenous alteplase at spoke hospitals may improve discharge and 90 day mRS and should not be withheld from EVT eligible patients who first present at alteplase capable spoke hospitals that do not perform EVT. Additional studies are warranted to confirm and further explore these benefits.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016836
Author(s):  
Ron Danziger ◽  
Christina Tan ◽  
Leonid Churilov ◽  
Peter Mitchell ◽  
Richard Dowling ◽  
...  

BackgroundIntrinsic hospital factors leading to time delay to inter-hospital transfer for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) have not been adequately investigated, leading to uncertainty in generalizability of hub and spoke EVT services. We investigated the contribution of intrinsic hospital factors to variations in time delay in a multicenter, retrospective study.MethodsThe setting was a hub and spoke EVT state-wide system for a population of 6.3 million and 34 spoke hospitals. We collected data on acute large vessel occlusion strokes transferred from spoke to hub for consideration of EVT between January 2016 and December 2018. The primary endpoint was the proportion of variability in delay-time in transfer cases contributed to by intrinsic hospital factors estimated through variance component analysis implemented as a mixed-effect linear regression model with hospitals as random effects.ResultsWe included 434 patients. The median age was 72 years (IQR 62–79), 44% were female, and the median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 16 (IQR 11–20). The median onset to CT time was 100 mins (IQR 69–157) at the spoke hospitals and CT acquisition at the spoke hospital to time of transfer was 93 min (IQR 70–132). 53% of the observed variability in time from CT acquisition at the spoke hospital to transfer to the EVT center was explained by intrinsic hospital factors, as opposed to patient-related factors.ConclusionsIntrinsic hospital factors explained more than half of the observed variability in time from CT acquisition at the spoke hospital to departure for transfer. We recommend that the design of hub and spoke EVT services should account for intrinsic hospital factors to minimize hospital transfer delay.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Ji Chen ◽  
Xiao-Fang Li ◽  
Cheng-Yu Liang ◽  
Lei Cui ◽  
Li-Qing Yang ◽  
...  

Background: Whether bridging treatment combining intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is superior to direct EVT alone for emergent large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation is unknown. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to investigate and assess the effect and safety of bridging treatment vs. direct EVT in patients with LVO in the anterior circulation.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were searched to assess the effect and safety of bridging treatment and direct EVT in LVO. Functional independence, mortality, asymptomatic and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (aICH and sICH, respectively), and successful recanalization were evaluated. The risk ratio and the 95% CI were analyzed.Results: Among the eight studies included, there was no significant difference in the long-term functional independence (OR = 1.008, 95% CI = 0.845–1.204, P = 0.926), mortality (OR = 1.060, 95% CI = 0.840–1.336, P = 0.624), recanalization rate (OR = 1.015, 95% CI = 0.793–1.300, P = 0.905), and the incidence of sICH (OR = 1.320, 95% CI = 0.931–1.870, P = 0.119) between bridging therapy and direct EVT. After adjusting for confounding factors, bridging therapy showed a lower recanalization rate (effect size or ES = −0.377, 95% CI = −0.684 to −0.070, P = 0.016), but there was no significant difference in the long-term functional independence (ES = 0.057, 95% CI = −0.177 to 0.291, P = 0.634), mortality (ES = 0.693, 95% CI = −0.133 to 1.519, P = 0.100), and incidence of sICH (ES = −0.051, 95% CI = −0.687 to 0.585, P = 0.875) compared with direct EVT. Meanwhile, in the subgroup analysis of RCT, no significant difference was found in the long-term functional independence (OR = 0.927, 95% CI = 0.727–1.182, P = 0.539), recanalization rate (OR = 1.331, 95% CI = 0.948–1.867, P = 0.099), mortality (OR = 1.072, 95% CI = 0.776–1.481, P = 0.673), and sICH incidence (OR = 1.383, 95% CI = 0.806–2.374, P = 0.977) between patients receiving bridging therapy and those receiving direct DVT.Conclusion: For stroke patients with acute anterior circulation occlusion and who are eligible for intravenous thrombolysis, there is no significant difference in the clinical effect between direct EVT and bridging therapy, which needs to be verified by more randomized controlled trials.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taha Nisar ◽  
Jimmy Patel ◽  
Muhammad Z Memon ◽  
Amit Singla ◽  
Priyank Khandelwal

Introduction: Solumbra technique involves the simultaneous use of stent-retriever and large-bore aspiration for clot retrieval in mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aim to compare various time parameters in patients who undergo MT via solumbra technique via transradial artery (TRA) approach vs. transfemoral artery (TRF) approach. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent MT via solumbra technique for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion at a comprehensive stroke center from 7/2014 to 5/2020. We compared time to recanalization parameters, score of TICI≥2b, and functional independence (3-month mRS≤2) in patients who underwent MT via TRA vs.TRF approach via the solumbra technique. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed, controlling for age, sex, pre-treatment-NIHSS, type of anesthesia (general vs.moderate), laterality, and clot location [proximal (internal carotid or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery) vs.distal (M2 or M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery)]. Results: A total of 98 patients met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 63.59±14.40 years. 18 (18.37%) patients underwent MT through transradial approach. In our cohort, there was a significant association of TRA with shorter angio suite arrival-time to puncture-time (22.12±9.92mins vs.28.83±12.26mins; OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-1; P 0.026), but not with puncture-time to recanalization-time (84.34±61.34mins vs.63.73±35.29mins; OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1-1.03; P 0.085), angio suite arrival-time to recanalization-time (103.12±51.29mins vs.93.42±39.08mins; OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1-1.02; P 0.524), number of passes to recanalization (1.78±1.36 vs.1.68±1.05; OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.66-1.63 ; P 0.899), number of patients with TICI≥2b (83.34% vs.91.25%; OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.14-3.4; P 0.633), and functional independence (66.67% vs.78.75%; OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.13-1.86; P 0.292), when compared to TRF approach for MT using solumbra technique. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a significant association between TRA approach with shorter angio suite arrival-time to puncture-time but not with overall time to recanalization, number of patients with TICI≥2b, and functional independence, when compared to TRF approach for MT using solumbra technique.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Greco ◽  
Michael Chen ◽  
Ameer E Hassan ◽  
Nitin Goyal ◽  
Haris Kamal ◽  
...  

Background: Acute ischemic strokes outcomes may be less favorable in elderly patients. Whether transferring octogenarians with large vessel occlusion (LVO) for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) results in similar outcomes to younger patients is uncertain. Methods: A pooled cohort from 6 centers (Europe, US) from 1/2014 to 5/2020 of pts with (ICA, M1, M2) LVO transferred for EVT ≤ 24 hrs from LKW. Patients were stratified into < 80 vs ≥ 80 years old. We compared 90 day functional independence and safety outcomes and assessed for predictors of good outcome (mRS 0-2) and profound disability (mRS 5-6). Results: Of 1176 pts received EVT as transfers, 216 (18%) were octogenarians. Baseline NIHSS was higher in octogenarians [19 (14, 22) vs 17 (12, 21), p<0.001], while IV tPA (52% vs 54%, p=0.52) and time LKW to EVT center [285 (193, 537) vs 272 (190, 470) min, p=0.15] were similar. Functional independence rates were lower in patients ≥ 80 as compared to < 80 (26% vs 46%, aOR 0.50, 95%CI 0.34-0.75, p=0.001). sICH was similar (8.6 vs 9.9%, p=0.56), but octogenarians had significantly higher 90-day mortality (42% vs 17%, p<0.001). Milder strokes (aOR 0.88, 95%CI 0.86-0.91, p<0.001), earlier presentation (aOR 0.95, 95%CI 0.91-0.98, p=0.004) and IV tPA (aOR 1.34, 95%CI 0.98-1.84, p=0.069) were associated with higher functional independence odds after EVT in octogenarians. Higher stroke severity (12% for each point, aOR=1.12, 95%CI 1.11-1.17-, p<0.001) and delayed reperfusion (3% for each additional hr, aOR 1.03, 95%CI 1.00-1.06, p=0.071) were associated with profound disability following EVT in octogenarians. Conclusion: EVT may be associated with lower independence rates in transferred octogenarians with LVO. Milder stroke severity, earlier presentation and IV thrombolysis increased the odds of good outcomes in octogenarians. Severe strokes and later treatment were associated with profound disability. Optimized selection and workflow is warranted in transferring elderly patients for EVT.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujan Teegala Reddy ◽  
Elliott Friedman ◽  
Tzu-Ching Wu ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
...  

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend CT ASPECTS≥6 as eligibility criteria for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a proven therapy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO). Infarct progression during inter-facility transfer can render many patients ineligible for EVT. We developed a score utilizing clinical and imaging variables to predict infarct progression. Methods: Patients with ACLVO transferred from a referring hospital (RH) to our EVT capable center between August 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed. Significant predictors (p<0.10) of infarct progression, defined as CT ASPECTS of ≥6 at RH to <6 at hub, were identified using a logistic regression model. Regression coefficient estimates were used to score selected variables. The optimal cut-point was selected based on evaluated Youden index. Results: A total of 132 patients were analyzed. Score ranged from 0 to theoretical limit 18 (table 1): CTA collateral score (2/3/4=0, 0/1=3), Clot location (not ICA/M2=0, M2=2, ICA/M1=3), NIHSS (0-14=0, ≥15=5), use of antiplatelet by history (Yes=0, No=3), CT ASPECTS at RH (10=0, 6-9=2). Patients with score of ≥10.0 were more likely to have infarct progression (OR=22.15, 95% CI 4.99 - 98.35, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our score utilizing clinical and imaging variables provides information on which patients with ACLVO may undergo infarct progression during inter-facility transfer. We plan to externally validate our findings in another hub and spoke network. This score may potentially aid decisions to develop stroke systems of care to triage patients with ACLVO within hub and spoke networks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S Sussman ◽  
Blake Martin ◽  
Michael Mlynash ◽  
Michael P Marks ◽  
David Marcellus ◽  
...  

IntroductionMultiple randomized trials have shown that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) leads to improved outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Elderly patients were poorly represented in these trials, and the efficacy of EVT in nonagenarian patients remains uncertain.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study at a single center. Inclusion criteria were: age 80–99, LVO, core infarct <70 mL, and salvageable penumbra. Patients were stratified into octogenarian (80–89) and nonagenarian (90–99) cohorts. The primary outcome was the ordinal score on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included dichotomized functional outcome (mRS ≤2 vs mRS ≥3), successful revascularization, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and mortality.Results108 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 79 octogenarians (73%) and 29 nonagenarians (27%). Nonagenarians were more likely to be female (86% vs 58%; p<0.01); there were no other differences between groups in terms of demographics, medical comorbidities, or treatment characteristics. Successful revascularization (TICI 2b–3) was achieved in 79% in both cohorts. Median mRS at 90 days was 5 in octogenarians and 6 in nonagenarians (p=0.09). Functional independence (mRS ≤2) at 90 days was achieved in 12.5% and 19.7% of nonagenarians and octogenarians, respectively (p=0.54). Symptomatic ICH occurred in 21.4% and 6.4% (p=0.03), and 90-day mortality rate was 63% and 40.9% (p=0.07) in nonagenarians and octogenarians, respectively.ConclusionsNonagenarians may be at higher risk of symptomatic ICH than octogenarians, despite similar stroke- and treatment-related factors. While there was a trend towards higher mortality and worse functional outcomes in nonagenarians, the difference was not statistically significant in this relatively small retrospective study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 847-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Alawieh ◽  
Fadi Zaraket ◽  
Mohamed Baker Alawieh ◽  
Arindam Rano Chatterjee ◽  
Alejandro Spiotta

BackgroundEndovascular thrombectomy (ET) is the standard of care for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to large vessel occlusion. The elderly population has been under-represented in clinical trials on ET, and recent studies have reported higher morbidity and mortality in elderly patients than in their younger counterparts.ObjectiveTo use machine learning algorithms to develop a clinical decision support tool that can be used to select elderly patients for ET.MethodsWe used a retrospectively identified cohort of 110 patients undergoing ET for AIS at our institution to train a regression tree model that can predict 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. The identified algorithm, termed SPOT, was compared with other decision trees and regression models, and then validated using a prospective cohort of 36 patients.ResultsWhen predicting rates of functional independence at 90 days, SPOT showed a sensitivity of 89.36% and a specificity of 89.66% with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.952. Performance of SPOT was significantly better than results obtained using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score, or patients’ baseline deficits. The negative predictive value for SPOT was >95%, and in patients who were SPOT-negative, we observed higher rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombectomy. With mRS scores prediction, the mean absolute error for SPOT was 0.82.ConclusionsSPOT is designed to aid clinical decision of whether to undergo ET in elderly patients. Our data show that SPOT is a useful tool to determine which patients to exclude from ET, and has been implemented in an online calculator for public use.


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