Impact of prehospital stroke code in a public center in Paraguay: A pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-649
Author(s):  
Alan Flores ◽  
Laia Seró ◽  
Christian Otto ◽  
Ricardo Mernes ◽  
Silvia Gonzalez ◽  
...  

Prehospital stroke code activation results in reduced pre- and in-hospital delays and triage and transport of stroke patients to the right centers. In Paraguay, data about acute reper fusion treatment are not available. Recently, a pilot prehospital stroke code program was implemented in the country in November 2016. In an observational, single-center cohort study with a before–after design, from April 2015 to July 2018, we found that 193/832 (23.1%) of stroke patients were stroke code activated, and from these, 54 (6.5%) were brought to hospital under the prehospital stroke code protocol. Fifty-eight patients (58 alteplase and 2 additional endovascular treatment) received reperfusion therapy. Prehospital stroke code patients had a lower mean door-to-CT time (24 vs. 33 min, p = 0.021) and lower mean door-to-needle time (35.3 vs.76.3 min, p < 0.001) compared to in-hospital stroke code patients. Prehospital stroke code is feasible in Paraguay and has a positive impact on in-hospital acute stroke management, reducing delays and increasing the rates of reperfusion treatments.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Behnke ◽  
Thomas Schlechtriemen ◽  
Andreas Binder ◽  
Monika Bachhuber ◽  
Mark Becker ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Debraj Saha ◽  
Aarti Anand ◽  
Jawahar Rathod ◽  
Prajwaleet Gour ◽  
Shivprasad Jaybhay ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the incidence and spectrum of neuroimaging ndings and their prognostic role in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Government Medical College Nagpur along with their correlation with D-Dimer Values and GCS . Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 774 COVID-19 conrmed patients admitted to Government Medical College st st Nagpur between 1 April 2020 and 31 October 2020. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records, and particularly data of all neurological symptoms were extracted from the imaging reports. Four neuro-radiologists evaluated all neuroimaging studies for acute neuroimaging ndings related to COVID-19. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured using a particle-enhanced, immunoturbidimetric assay on admission in the 116 patients who came for evaluation of neurological symptoms. Moreover ,the patients were classied into different groups as mild, moderate and severe based on their GCS scores and was assessed with respect to their neuro-imaging ndings. Results: 15 % of the admitted patients suffered from neurological symptoms. Acute stroke was the most common nding in the patients with positive neuroimaging ndings resulting in 34.4% of the patients with positive neuroimaging ndings. Other ndings were subacute infarcts (13.8%), Chronic lacunar infarcts (20.6%) , Intraparenchymal hemorrhage in 10.4 %, hypertensive encephalopathy in 7 % and subarachanoid hemorrhage in 3.4 %. Plasma median D-dimer levels were signicantly (P฀ =฀ 0.000) higher in Acute stroke patients as compared to COVID 19 positive patients who had negative CT scan imaging features(0.88; interquartile range [IQR], 0.28–2.11 mg/L and 0.31; IQR, 0.17–0.74 mg/L). Patients who have positive neuroimaging ndings presented with a lower GCS whereas patients who had negative neuroimaging ndings presented with a higher GCS. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates acute stroke is the most common neuroloimaging nding in hospitalized COVID 19 Patients. Moreover D-Dimer values are highly predictive of acute ischemic stroke. Patients with positive neuro-imaging ndings have poor GCS scores.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Uphaus ◽  
Oliver C Singer ◽  
Joachim Berkefeld ◽  
Christian H Nolte ◽  
Georg Bohner ◽  
...  

Introduction: The endovascular treatment (EVT) of cerebral ischemia in the case of large vessel occlusion has been established over recent years. Randomized trials showed a positive impact on the clinical outcome of endovascular treatment in addition to thrombolysis with respect to clinical outcome and safety, so that this therapeutic option will be implemented in future guidelines. The role of EVT in patients treated with oral anticoagulants remains uncertain. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that application of EVT is safe with regard to the occurrence of intracranial bleeding and clinical outcome in patients taking anticoagulants. Methods: The ENDOSTROKE-Registry is a commercially independent, prospective observational study in 12 stroke centers in Germany and Austria launched in January 2011. An online tool served for data acquisition of pre-specified variables concerning endovascular stroke therapy. Results: Data from 815 patients (median age 70, 57% male) undergoing EVT and known anticoagulation status were analyzed. A total of 85 (median age 76, 52% male) patients (10.4%) took oral anticoagulants prior to EVT. Anticoagulation status as measured with INR was 2.0-3.0 in 24 patients (29%), <2.0 in 52 patients (63%) and above 3.0 in 7 patients (8%) of 83 patients with valid INR data prior to EVT. Patients taking anticoagulants were significantly older (median age 76 vs. 69, p < 0.001). Comparing those patients taking anticoagulants and those not, there were no differences concerning NIHSS at admission (with anticoagulants Median-NIHSS 17 vs. without Median-NIHSS 15, p = 0.492, Mann Whitney Test) and the rate of intracranial hemorrhage after intervention (with anticoagulants 11.8% vs. without 12.2%, p = 0.538). After adjustment for age and NIHSS at admission there were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to good clinical outcome, as measured with the modified ranking scale (mRS, 90d-mRS 0-2, 39.2% of patients not receiving anticoagulants; 25.9% of those receiving anticoagulants). Conclusion: The application of endovascular treatment in patients taking oral anticoagulants is safe and should be considered in acute stroke treatment as an important alternative to contraindicated intravenous thrombolysis.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tri Huynh* ◽  
Niran Vijayaraghavan* ◽  
Hannah Branstetter ◽  
Natalie Buchwald ◽  
Justin De Prey ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM) has been identified on post-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be a marker of hemorrhagic conversion (HC) post reperfusion therapy in acute stroke patients. We have previously described a case where MRI HARM was mimicked on post contrast computed topography (CT) imaging in an acute stroke patient post reperfusion. Dual-Energy (DECT) allows for differentiation between acute blood and iodine contrast extravasation (ICE), and thus can have utility when ICE is present. Here we sought to validate whether post-intervention ICE/CT hyperdensity reperfusion maker (CT HARM), and contrast subtracted on DECT is associated with HC in acute stroke patients. Method: Data was obtained from our Institutional Review Board approved stroke admission database from January 2017 to November 2019, including ischemic stroke patients that received thrombolysis or thrombectomy, had evaluable images within 24 hours of admission, and received a DECT. Ischemic volumes of the stroke was measured on diffusion-weighted image (DWI). ICE was measured on CT head and DECT using the freehand 3D region of interest tool on the Visage Imaging PACS System. Susceptibility weighted MRI sequences were used to grade HC. Data analysis was conducted with regression modeling. Results: A total of 82 patients were included, 49% women, median age 73 (interquartile range (IQR), 61- 77), admission NIHSS 12 (IQR, 7 - 21), 24 hour change in NIHSS 4 (IQR, 0 -13), glucose 125 (IQR, 106 -158), creatinine 1.0 (IQR, 0.8 - 1.2), infarct volume 50.6 ± 7.1 mL, 48% treated with thrombectomy, 7% with PH-1 or PH-2 identified on MRI, and 56% with MCA infarcts. ICE volume was 2.6 ± 1.0 mL and DECT volume was 2.2 ± 1.1mL. ICE increased the likelihood of MRI confirmed PH-1 or PH-2 hemorrhagic conversion (odds ratio (OR) 14.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.74 - 22.94) and decreased likelihood of increase in NIHSS at 24 hours (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.40). There were no other significant associations with ICE or DECT volumes. Conclusion: Our results are supportive of our proposed association between CT HARM and risk of HC. More studies are needed to study whether quantitative of DECT can be predictive of stroke outcomes post reperfusion therapy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Fukuda ◽  
Takashi Morishita ◽  
Toshiyasu Ogata ◽  
Kazuya Saita ◽  
Koichi Hyakutake ◽  
...  

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Matsuki ◽  
Masatoshi Koga ◽  
Shoji Arihiro ◽  
Kenichi Todo ◽  
Hiroshi Yamagami ◽  
...  

Background and purpose: The impact of albuminuria on clinical outcomes in acute cardioembolic stroke is not fully investigated. We assessed whether high spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) was associated with clinical outcomes in acute stroke with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods: From 2011 to 2014, we enrolled acute ischemic stroke/TIA patients with NVAF in the SAMURAI-NVAF study, which is a multicenter, observational study. Patients with complete ACR values were included in the analysis. They were divided into the N (normal, ACR < 30mg/g) and the H (high, ACR ≥ 30mg/g) groups. Clinical outcomes were neurological deterioration (an increase of NIHSS ≥1 point during the initial 7 days) and poor outcome (mRS of 4-6 at 3 months). Results: Of 558 patients (328 men, 77±10 y) who were included, 271 and 287 were assigned to the H group and the N group, respectively. As compared with patients in the N group, those in the H group were more frequently female (52 vs 31%, p < 0.001) and older (80±10 vs 75±10 y, p < 0.001). On admission, patients in the H group more frequently had diabetes (28 vs 17%, p = 0.003), less frequently had paroxysmal AF (68 vs 57%, p = 0.009), had higher levels of SBP (157±28 vs 151±24 mmHg, p = 0.003), NIHSS score (11 vs 5, p < 0.001), CHA2DS2-VASc score (6 vs 5, p < 0.001), plasma glucose (141±62 vs 132±41 mg/dL, p = 0.04), and brain natriuretic peptide (348±331 vs 259±309 pg/mL, p = 0.002), and had lower levels of hemoglobin (13±2 vs 14±2 g/dL, p = 0.02), and estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) (60±24 vs 66±20 mL/min/1.73m2 p = 0.002). On imaging studies, patients in the H group more frequently had large infarct (29 vs 20 %, p = 0.02) and culprit artery occlusion (64 vs 48%, p < 0.001). Neurological deterioration (14 vs 4%, p < 0.001) and poor outcome (49 vs 24%, p < 0.001) were more frequently observed in the H group. On multivariate regression analysis adjusted for significant confounders and reperfusion therapy, the H group was associated with neurological deterioration (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.14-5.5; p = 0.02) and poor outcome (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.45-5.2; p = 0.002), although eGFR was not significantly related to either. Conclusion: High ACR, a marker of albuminuria, was independently associated with unfavorable outcomes in acute stroke patients with NVAF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Cinar ◽  
M.I Hayiroglu ◽  
V Cicek ◽  
S Asal ◽  
M.M Atmaca ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The present study aimed to determine independent predictors of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in acute ischemic stroke patients without atrial fibrillation (AF) using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Material and methods In this single center, retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 149 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients. All of the patients underwent TEE examination to detect LAT within 10 days following admission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess independent predictors of LAT. Results Among all cases, 14 patients (9.3%) had a diagnosis of LAT on TEE examination. In a multivariate analysis; a previous diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident, elevated mean platelet volume (MPV), low left ventricle ejection fraction (EF) and a reduced left atrium appendix (LAA) peak emptying velocity were independent predictors of LAT. The area of MPV under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.57–0.83; p=0.011). With the optimal cut-off value of 9.45, MPV had a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 63% to predict LAT. Conclusion Patients with low ventricle EF and elevated MPV should undergo further TEE examination for the possibility of cardio-embolic source. In addition, this research may provide novel information with respect to the applicability of MPV to predict LAT in acute ischemic stroke patients without AF. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


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