Abstract 1122‐000083: Endovascular Therapy Delay for Acute LVO is Associated with Worse Functional Outcome and Increased Mortality

Introduction : The importance of early mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has shown to improve functional outcomes for patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). As well, prior studies have shown that earlier MT resulted in reduced hospital stay, more home‐time, and more desirable living situation in the 90 days after stroke. We hypothesized that delay in MT in patients with LVO would result in worse clinical outcome and increased mortality. Methods : We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent MT for LVO in a large academic comprehensive stroke center between 01/2018 and 05/2021. We compared outcomes including in‐hospital mortality and 90‐day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) based on time from door‐to‐puncture and door‐to‐reperfusion, adjusting for relevant covariates using logistic regression. Results : Patients that had shorter door‐to‐puncture time were found to have higher probability of a lower modified Rankin Scale (mRS 0–2) at discharge (p = 0.03). Patients with door‐to‐puncture less than 60 minutes had a probability of 50% of achieving a good outcome. Longer door‐to‐puncture times were associated with lower probability of achieving mRS 0–2 at discharge. A similar finding was seen in patients that had shorter times to reperfusion (p = 0.05). Adjusting for age, baseline NIHSS score, and final TICI score, delayed door‐to‐reperfusion time in minutes was an independent predictor of increased mortality at 90 days of 9% for every 10 minutes delay (OR 1.009, 95% CI 1.003‐1.016, p = 0.006). Every 10 minutes delay in door‐to‐reperfusion time had 7% higher chance of poor functional outcome at 90 days (OR 1.007, 95% CI 1.004‐1.019, p = 0.015). Conclusions : Shorter times to MT and reperfusion impact functional outcome and mortality in LVO stroke patients. This indicates that an adequate hospital protocol and continuous education may lead to faster and more efficient stroke activations leading to a shorter time to MT and eventual reperfusion. Goals of door‐to‐puncture must be established in order to achieve better outcomes.

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Abstract W P225: The Relationship between Leukocytosis and Time to Neurodeterioration

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.wp225 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Amelia K Boehme ◽

James E Siegler ◽

Karen C Albright ◽

Alexander J George ◽

Dominique Monlezun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Improve Outcome ◽

Future Studies ◽

Point Increase ◽

Stroke Center ◽

The Relationship

Background: Previous research has illustrated how leukocytosis after acute ischemic stoke (AIS) is related to poor functional outcome. A main predictor of poor functional outcome is neurodeterioration (ND). We sought to explore the relationship between leukocytosis and time to ND to identify a risk factor for a process that predicts poor functional outcome. Methods: Patients admitted to our stroke center (07/08-06/12) were retrospectively assessed. Leukocytosis was defined as WBC >11,000, ND was characterized as ≥ 2 point increase in NIHSS scale and poor functional outcome was classified as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 3-6. Patients were grouped into 2 categories: (1) the leukocytosis group- those who developed leukocytosis ≥24 hours after admission and those who presented with leukocytosis and remained at 24 hours and, (2) the non-leukocytosis group- those that did not have leukocytosis and those where the leukocytosis resolved within 24 hours of admission. Results: A cohort of AIS patients (N=476) with median age 64 years, 43% female and 69% Black were assessed. Of the patients with ND (27%), median time to ND was 43 hours. In the leukocytosis group (N=84), 42 (50.6%) of them developed ND. In the non-leukocytosis group (N=312), 75 (24.5%) developed ND. Leukocytosis within 24 hours of admission is predictive of earlier time to ND (p<0.0001; Figure 1). Adjusting for age, stroke severity, glucose, tPA and infection, the leukocytosis group had a 2 times greater risk for developing ND (HR 2.49, 95%CI 1.61-3.84, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Having leukocytosis persist from admission to 24 hours or developing leukocytosis within 24 hours of admission is a significant predictor of early ND, which often results in poor functional outcome. Identifying such a predictor can enable physicians to identify those at risk for ND and subsequent poor functional outcomes. Future studies are needed to identify if interventions targeting leukocytosis may improve outcome after stroke.

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Abstract WMP89: Outcomes No Different in Real World Including Direct vs Drip-and-Ship Patients: Power of Reperfusion From Mechanical Thrombectomy

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wmp89 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Darshan G Shah ◽

Aravi Loganathan ◽

Dan Truong ◽

Fiona Chan ◽

Bruce Campbell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Real World ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Excellent Functional Outcome ◽

The Mean ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) became standard care in 2015 after positive trials in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion (LVO) 0-6h and in 2018 for selected patients up to 24h from symptom onset. Objective: To evaluate whether patients receiving MT at our center would have comparable outcomes in patients presenting to our comprehensive stroke center (direct) vs transfer patients (drip-and-ship) Methods: This is a retrospective observational study utilising prospectively collected stroke database for patients receiving MT for LVO in anterior and posterior circulation in South Brisbane network of 7 hospitals (6 drip-and-ship centers and 1 MT-capable center), Australia which serves 1.6 million. Day 90 modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess functional outcomes via outpatient follow up at direct or referral center. The association of drip and ship versus mothership treatment with day 90 mRS was tested in ordinal logistic regression adjusted for age, baseline NIHSS and IV thrombolysis. Results: Of 191 patients who underwent Mechanical Thrombectomy from 2015 to June 2018 at our center, 22 patients were excluded from analysis as either their baseline mRS was >1 (13) or follow up data was missing (9). The mean age was 64.4 years. Median (inter-quartile range, IQR) NIHSS was 16 (9-21) on admission and 7 (2-18) on day 1. Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) ≥2b was achieved in 88.9%. At 90 days, 50.9% achieved excellent functional outcome (mRS 0-1), 61.4% achieved good functional outcome (mRS 0-2) and 69% achieved favorable outcome (mRS 0-3). Median mRS was 1 (IQR 0-5) in 96 patients presenting directly to the endovascular center and 1 (IQR 1-4) in 73 drip-and-ship patients (common odds ratio 1.07 (95%CI 0.62-1.83), p=0.82) Conclusion: Our 7-center network experience confirms real world reproducibility of trial results, interestingly with no difference in functional outcomes for direct vs drip-and-ship patients.

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How do treatment times impact on functional outcome in stroke patients undergoing thrombectomy in Germany? Results from the German Stroke Registry

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493020985260 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174749302098526

Author(s):

Juliane Herm ◽

Ludwig Schlemm ◽

Eberhard Siebert ◽

Georg Bohner ◽

Anna C Alegiani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Poor Functional Outcome ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

Primary Stroke Center ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Center Time

Background Functional outcome post-stroke depends on time to recanalization. Effect of in-hospital delay may differ in patients directly admitted to a comprehensive stroke center and patients transferred via a primary stroke center. We analyzed the current door-to-groin time in Germany and explored its effect on functional outcome in a real-world setting. Methods Data were collected in 25 stroke centers in the German Stroke Registry-Endovascular Treatment a prospective, multicenter, observational registry study including stroke patients with large vessel occlusion. Functional outcome was assessed at three months by modified Rankin Scale. Association of door-to-groin time with outcome was calculated using binary logistic regression models. Results Out of 4340 patients, 56% were treated primarily in a comprehensive stroke center and 44% in a primary stroke center and then transferred to a comprehensive stroke center (“drip-and-ship” concept). Median onset-to-arrival at comprehensive stroke center time and door-to-groin time were 103 and 79 min in comprehensive stroke center patients and 225 and 44 min in primary stroke center patients. The odds ratio for poor functional outcome per hour of onset-to-arrival-at comprehensive stroke center time was 1.03 (95%CI 1.01–1.05) in comprehensive stroke center patients and 1.06 (95%CI 1.03–1.09) in primary stroke center patients. The odds ratio for poor functional outcome per hour of door-to-groin time was 1.30 (95%CI 1.16–1.46) in comprehensive stroke center patients and 1.04 (95%CI 0.89–1.21) in primary stroke center patients. Longer door-to-groin time in comprehensive stroke center patients was associated with admission on weekends (odds ratio 1.61; 95%CI 1.37–1.97) and during night time (odds ratio 1.52; 95%CI 1.27–1.82) and use of intravenous thrombolysis (odds ratio 1.28; 95%CI 1.08–1.50). Conclusion Door-to-groin time was especially relevant for outcome of comprehensive stroke center patients, whereas door-to-groin time was much shorter in primary stroke center patients. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03356392 . Unique identifier NCT03356392

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Significant aortic stenosis associated with poorer functional outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke undergoing endovascular therapy

Interventional Neuroradiology ◽

10.1177/1591019920920988 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 793-799

Author(s):

Nicholas JH Ngiam ◽

Benjamin YQ Tan ◽

Ching-Hui Sia ◽

Bernard PL Chan ◽

Gopinathan Anil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Stenosis ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Acute Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background and aim Bi-directional feedback mechanisms exist between the heart and brain, which have been implicated in heart failure. We postulate that aortic stenosis may alter cerebral haemodynamics and influence functional outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke. We compared clinical characteristics, echocardiographic profile and outcomes in patients with or without aortic stenosis that underwent endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion acute ischaemic stroke. Methods Consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients with anterior and posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery and basilar artery) who underwent endovascular thrombectomy were studied. Patients were divided into those with significant aortic stenosis (aortic valve area <1.5 cm2) and without. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to compare and determine predictors of functional outcomes measured by modified Rankin scale at three months. Results We identified 26 (8.5%) patients with significant aortic stenosis. These patients were older (median age 76 (interquartile range 68–84) vs. 67 (interquartile range 56–75) years, p = 0.001), but similar in terms of medical comorbidities and echocardiographic profile. Rates of successful recanalisation (73.1% vs. 78.0%), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (7.7% and 7.9%) and mortality (11.5% vs. 12.6%) were similar. Significant aortic stenosis was independently associated with poorer functional outcome (modified Rankin scale >2) at three months (adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1–7.5, p = 0.048), after adjusting for age, door-to-puncture times, stroke severity and rates of successful recanalisation. Conclusion In acute ischaemic stroke patients managed with endovascular thrombectomy, significant aortic stenosis is associated with poor functional outcome despite comparable recanalisation rates. Larger cohort studies are needed to explore this relationship further.

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Electronic Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score change and functional outcome in a drip-and-ship stroke service

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-015134 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 252-255

Author(s):

Jan Christoph Purrucker ◽

Nicole Mattern ◽

Christian Herweh ◽

Markus Möhlenbruch ◽

Peter Arthur Ringleb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Patient Transfer ◽

Acute Ischemia ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Score Change ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Direct Referral

BackgroundDebate continues as to whether patients with acute ischemic stroke with (suspected) large vessel occlusion benefit from direct referral versus secondary transportation.AimsTo analyze the change in early infarct signs, collaterals, and acute ischemia volume and their association with transfer time and functional outcome.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed consecutive transfers between 2013 and 2016 for patients with anterior circulation stroke transported from referring hospitals to our center as potential candidates for thrombectomy. Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Scores (ASPECTS) were automatically calculated on external and in-house CT using the Brainomix e-ASPECTS software, and collaterals were assessed using the e-CTA tool. Functional status after stroke using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was obtained.Results102 patients with CT scans both at the referring hospital and our center were identified. During patient transfer, e-ASPECTS declined by a median of 1 point (0–2). Functional outcome correlated with the change in e-ASPECTS (decline, n=54) (Spearman rs=0.322, 95% CI 0.131 to 0.482, p=0.001). The median image-to-image time was 149 min (IQR 113–190), but did not correlate with change in e-ASPECTS (p=0.754) and mRS score at 3 months (p=0.25). Preserved good collateral status assessed at the comprehensive stroke center was associated with better functional outcome (rs=−0.271, 95% CI −0.485 to −0.037, p=0.02).ConclusionsPatient transfer in a drip-and-ship network was associated with declines in e-ASPECTS associated with worse functional outcome. Image-to-image time did not influence this association, but worsening collateral status did.

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Value of repeated imaging in patients with a stroke who are transferred for endovascular treatment

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-017050 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2020-017050

Author(s):

Laura C C van Meenen ◽

Nerea Arrarte Terreros ◽

Adrien E Groot ◽

Manon Kappelhof ◽

Ludo F M Beenen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Clinical Improvement ◽

Treatment Delay ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhages ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Quality Outcomes ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

BackgroundPatients with a stroke who are transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment (EVT) often undergo repeated neuroimaging prior to EVT.ObjectiveTo evaluate the yield of repeating imaging and its effect on treatment times.MethodsWe included adult patients with a large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke who were referred to our hospital for EVT by primary stroke centers (2016–2019). We excluded patients who underwent repeated imaging because primary imaging was unavailable, incomplete, or of insufficient quality. Outcomes included treatment times and repeated imaging findings.ResultsOf 677 transferred LVO stroke, 551 were included. Imaging was repeated in 165/551 patients (30%), mostly because of clinical improvement (86/165 (52%)) or deterioration (40/165 (24%)). Patients who underwent repeated imaging had higher door-to-groin-times than patients without repeated imaging (median 43 vs 27 min, adjusted time difference: 20 min, 95% CI 15 to 25). Among patients who underwent repeated imaging because of clinical improvement, the LVO had resolved in 50/86 (58%). In patients with clinical deterioration, repeated imaging led to refrainment from EVT in 3/40 (8%). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (sICH) were identified. Ultimately, 75/165 (45%) of patients with repeated imaging underwent EVT compared with 326/386 (84%) of patients without repeated imaging (p<0.01).ConclusionsNeuroimaging was repeated in 30% of patients with an LVO stroke and resulted in a median treatment delay of 20 minutes. In patients with clinical deterioration, no sICH were detected and repeated imaging rarely changed the indication for EVT. However, in more than half of patients with clinical improvement, the LVO had resolved, resulting in refrainment from EVT.

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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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Hemodynamic Status During Endovascular Stroke Treatment: Association of Blood Pressure with Functional Outcome

Neurocritical Care ◽

10.1007/s12028-021-01229-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Min Chen ◽

Dorothea Kronsteiner ◽

Johannes Pfaff ◽

Simon Schieber ◽

Laura Jäger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Scale Score ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

National Institutes Of Health ◽

Modified Rankin Scale ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Treatment ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Optimal blood pressure (BP) management during endovascular stroke treatment in patients with large-vessel occlusion is not well established. We aimed to investigate associations of BP during different phases of endovascular therapy with reperfusion and functional outcome. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of a single-center prospective study that evaluated a new simplified procedural sedation standard during endovascular therapy (Keep Evaluating Protocol Simplification in Managing Periinterventional Light Sedation for Endovascular Stroke Treatment). BP during endovascular therapy in patients was managed according to protocol. Data from four different phases (baseline, pre-recanalization, post recanalization, and post intervention) were obtained, and mean BP values, as well as changes in BP between different phases and reductions in systolic BP (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from baseline to pre-recanalization, were used as exposure variables. The main outcome was a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 three months after admission. Secondary outcomes were successful reperfusion and change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score after 24 h. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. Results Functional outcomes were analyzed in 139 patients with successful reperfusion (defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b–3). The mean (standard deviation) age was 76 (10.9) years, the mean (standard deviation) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 14.3 (7.5), and 70 (43.5%) patients had a left-sided vessel occlusion. Favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was less likely with every 10-mm Hg increase in baseline (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, P = 0.04) and pre-recanalization (OR 0.65, P = 0.011) SBP. This was also found for baseline (OR 0.76, P = 0.05) and pre-recanalization MAP (OR 0.66, P = 0.03). The maximum Youden index in a receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed an SBP of 163 mm Hg and MAP of 117 mm Hg as discriminatory thresholds during the pre-recanalization phase to predict functional outcome. Conclusions In our protocol-based setting, intraprocedural pre-recanalization BP reductions during endovascular therapy were not associated with functional outcome. However, higher intraprocedural pre-recanalization SBP and MAP were associated with worse functional outcome. Prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to determine whether BP is a feasible treatment target for the modification of outcomes.

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Impact of RapidAI mobile application on treatment times in patients with large vessel occlusion

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017365 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. neurintsurg-2021-017365

Author(s):

Mais Al-Kawaz ◽

Christopher Primiani ◽

Victor Urrutia ◽

Ferdinand Hui

Keyword(s):

Mobile Application ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Mobile App ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Adjusted Model

BackgroundCurrent efforts to reduce door to groin puncture time (DGPT) aim to optimize clinical outcomes in stroke patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs). The RapidAI mobile application (Rapid Mobile App) provides quick access to perfusion and vessel imaging in patients with LVOs. We hypothesize that utilization of RapidAI mobile application can significantly reduce treatment times in stroke care by accelerating the process of mobilizing stroke clinicians and interventionalists.MethodsWe analyzed patients presenting with LVOs between June 2019 and October 2020. Thirty-one patients were treated between June 2019 and March 2020 (pre-app group). Thirty-three patients presented between March 2020 and October 2020 (post-app group). Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to examine variables that are not normally distributed. In a secondary analysis we analyzed interhospital time metrics between primary stroke centers and our comprehensive stroke center.ResultsBaseline demographic and vascular risk factors were similar in both groups. Use of Rapid Mobile App resulted in 33 min reduction in DGPT (P=0.02), 35 min reduction in door to first pass time (P=0.02), and 37 min reduction in door to recanalization time (P=0.02) in univariate analyses when compared with patients treated pre-app. In a multiple linear regression model, utilization of Rapid Mobile App significantly predicted shorter DGPT (P=0.002). In an adjusted model, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 24 hours after procedure and at discharge were significantly lower in the post-app group (P=0.03). Time of transfer between primary and comprehensive stroke center was comparable in both groups (P=0.26).ConclusionIn patients with LVOs, the implementation of the RapidAI mobile application was independently associated with reductions in intrahospital treatment times.

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Detection of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke in the Prehospital Setting

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.033053 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laura C.C. van Meenen ◽

Maritta N. van Stigt ◽

Arjen Siegers ◽

Martin D. Smeekes ◽

Joffry A.F. van Grondelle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Prehospital Setting ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Large Vessel Occlusion ◽

User Friendliness ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Good Diagnostic Accuracy

A reliable and fast instrument for prehospital detection of large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke would be a game-changer in stroke care, because it would enable direct transportation of LVO stroke patients to the nearest comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment. This strategy would substantially improve treatment times and thus clinical outcomes of patients. Here, we outline our view on the requirements of an effective prehospital LVO detection method, namely: high diagnostic accuracy; fast application and interpretation; user-friendliness; compactness; and low costs. We argue that existing methods for prehospital LVO detection, including clinical scales, mobile stroke units and transcranial Doppler, do not fulfill all criteria, hindering broad implementation of these methods. Instead, electroencephalography may be suitable for prehospital LVO detection since in-hospital studies have shown that quantification of hypoxia-induced changes in the electroencephalography signal have good diagnostic accuracy for LVO stroke. Although performing electroencephalography measurements in the prehospital setting comes with challenges, solutions for fast and simple application of this method are available. Currently, the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of electroencephalography in the prehospital setting are being investigated in clinical trials.

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