scholarly journals Language disparity is not a significant barrier for time-sensitive care of acute ischemic stroke

BMC Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriko Anderson ◽  
Afra Janarious ◽  
Shimeng Liu ◽  
Lisa A. Flanagan ◽  
Dana Stradling ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Language barriers were reported to affect timely access to health care and outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of language disparity on quality benchmarks of acute ischemic stroke therapy. Methods Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke at the University of California Irvine Medical Center from 2013 to 2016 were studied. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to their preferred language: English, Spanish, and other languages. Quality benchmarks and outcomes of the 3 language groups were analyzed. Results Of the 928 admissions, 69.7% patients recorded English as preferred language, as compared to 17.3% Spanish and 13.0% other languages. There was no significant difference in the rate of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (24.3, 22.1 and 21.0%), last-known-well to door time, door-to-imaging time, door-to-needle time, and hospital length of stay among the 3 language groups. In univariate analysis, the other languages group had lower chance of favorable outcomes than the English-speaking group (26.3% vs 40.4, p < 0.05) while the Spanish-speaking group had lower mortality rate than English-speaking group (3.1% vs 7.7%, p = 0.05). After adjusting for age and initial NIHSS scores, multivariate regression models showed no significant difference in favorable outcomes and mortality between different language groups. Conclusion We demonstrate no significant difference in quality benchmarks and outcome of acute ischemic stroke among 3 different language groups. Our results suggest that limited English proficiency is not a significant barrier for time-sensitive stroke care at Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul Nogueira ◽  
Katherine Etter ◽  
Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Shelly Ikeme ◽  
Michael R Frankel ◽  
...  

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the presentation, care and outcomes of patients with acute cerebrovascular and cardiovascular conditions. We sought to measure the national impact of COVID-19 on the care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, we used the Premier Healthcare Database to evaluate the changes in the volume of care and hospital outcomes for AIS and AMI in relation to the pandemic. The pandemic months were defined from March 1, 2020- April 30, 2020 and compared to the same period in the year prior. Outcome measures were volumes of hospitalization and reperfusion treatment for AIS and AMI (including intravenous thrombolysis [IVT] and/or mechanical thrombectomy [MT] for AIS and percutaneous coronary interventions [PCI] for AMI) as well as in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs were compared across a 2-month period at the height of the pandemic versus the corresponding period in the prior year. Results: There were 95,453 AIS patients across 145 hospitals and 19,744 AMI patients across 126 hospitals. There was a significant nation-wide decline in the absolute number of hospitalizations for AIS (-38.94%;95%CI,-34.75% to -40.71%) and AMI (-38.90%;95%CI,-37.03% to -40.81%) as well as IVT (-30.32%;95%CI,-27.02% to -33.83%), MT (-23.54%;95%CI,-19.84% to -27.70%), and PCI (-35.05%;95%CI,-33.04% to -37.12%) during the first two months of the pandemic. This occurred across low-, mid-, and high-volume centers and in all geographic regions. Higher in-hospital mortality was observed in AIS patients (5.7% vs.4.2%, p=0.0037;OR 1.41,95%CI 1.1-1.8) but not AMI patients. A shift towards an increase in the proportion of admitted AIS and AMI patients receiving reperfusion therapies suggests a greater clinical severity among patients that were hospitalized for these conditions during the pandemic. A shorter length of stay (AIS: -17%, AMI: -20%), and decreased hospitalization costs (AIS: -12%, AMI: -19%) were observed. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on the combined health outcomes and economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on acute stroke and cardiac emergency care.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadi Yaghi ◽  
Eva Mistry ◽  
Adam H De Havenon ◽  
Christopher Leon Guerrero ◽  
Amre Nouh ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Multiple studies have established that intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase improves outcome after acute ischemic stroke. However, assessment of thrombolysis’ efficacy in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has yielded mixed results. We sought to determine the association of alteplase with mortality, hemorrhagic transformation (HT), infarct volume, and mortality in patients with AF and acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients with AF included in the Initiation of Anticoagulation after Cardioembolic stroke (IAC) study, which pooled data from 8 comprehensive stroke centers in the United States. 1889 (90.6%) had available 90-day follow up data and were included. For our primary analysis we used a cohort of 1367/1889 (72.4%) patients who did not undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Secondary analyses were repeated in the patients that underwent MT (n=522). Binary logistic regression was used to determine whether alteplase use was independently associated with risk of HT, final infarct volume, and 90-day mortality, respectively, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: In our primary analyses we found that alteplase use was independently associated with an increased risk for HT (adjusted OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.49 - 3.07, p <0.001) but overall reduced risk of 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39 - 0.87, p = 0.009). Among patients undergoing MT, alteplase use was associated with a trend towards a reduction in 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.68 95% CI 0.45 - 1.04, p = 0.077). In the subgroup of patients prescribed DOAC treatment (n = 327; 24 received alteplase), alteplase treatment was associated with a trend towards smaller infarct size (< 10 mL), (adjusted OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15 - 1.12, p = 0.082) without a significant difference in the odds of 90-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.12 - 2.13, p = 0.357) or hemorrhagic transformation (adjusted OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.03 - 2.07, p = 0.206). Conclusion: Thrombolysis with intravenous alteplase was associated with reduced 90-day mortality in AF patients with acute ischemic stroke not undergoing MT. Further study is required to assess the safety and efficacy of alteplase in AF patients undergoing MT and those on DOACs.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong-Joon Lee ◽  
Yang-Ha Hwang ◽  
Ji Man Hong ◽  
Jin Wook Choi ◽  
Dong-Hun Kang ◽  
...  

Introduction: Given the recent positive endovascular therapy trials for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), this therapeutic strategy is now being increasingly incorporated into routine clinical practice. Identifying prognostic factors among AIS patients receiving endovascular revascularization treatments (ERT) in the real world could be important for clinicians and patients. While the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on IV thrombolytic outcomes after AIS has been extensively investigated, there is a paucity of data assessing effects of DM on ERT outcomes after AIS. We evaluated the impact of comorbid DM on ERT for AIS. Methods: From Jan 2011 to Feb 2016, patients with AIS who underwent ERT for cervicocephalic occlusions were consecutively enrolled into the Acute Stroke due to Intracranial Atherosclerotic occlusion and Neurointervention - Korean Retrospective (ASIAN KR) registry from 3 hospitals. Patients were excluded if onset to puncture time over 8 hours, in-hospital stroke, or unavailable 3-month mRS. DM was diagnosed if a patient had the history, or hemoglobin A1c on admission was over 6.5. Univariate analysis was performed to compare the characteristics between DM and non-DM population. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to validate the effect of comorbid DM on 3 month outcomes. Results: Of 721 patients, 667 (93%) were finally included, with 233 DM patients and 434 non-DM patients. In the univariate analysis, comorbidity with hypertension (71.2% vs. 58.3%, p=0.001) and dyslipidemia (36.7% vs. 26.7%, p=0.012) were more frequent in the DM population. Periprocedural factors such as target vessels, intravenous thrombolysis, and final reperfusion grades did not differ. Good outcomes with mRS 0-2 were less frequent in the DM population (43.3% vs. 53.7%, p=0.011). In the logistic regression analysis adjusting age, male sex, initial NIHSS, premorbid mRS, hypertension history, atrial fibrillation, intravenous thrombolysis, onset to puncture time and successful reperfusion, DM was an independent predictor of poor outcomes (mRS 3-6; 1.933, 1.274-2.933, p=0.002). Conclusion: In patients receiving ERT for AIS due to cervicocephalic artery occlusions, the presence of DM as a comorbidity confers greater odds of a poor functional outcome.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Bavarsad Shahripour ◽  
Benjamin Shifflett ◽  
Edward Labin ◽  
Morgan Figurelle ◽  
Anna Barminova ◽  
...  

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to atrial fibrillation (afib) may have increased complications from intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular treatment (ET) compared to other stroke subtypes. The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in patients with and without a history of a fib treated with IV rt-PA and/or ET. Methods: Consecutive stroke code activations were retrospectively analyzed from January 2004-June 2020 at an academic comprehensive stroke center. Patients were included if they were treated with IV rt-PA and/or ET within 24 hours of stroke onset. Patients were stratified into the six groups:1-No hx of a fib with ET only, 2-Hx of a fib with ET only, 3-No hx of a fib with IV rt-PA plus ET, 4-Hx of a fib with IV rt-PA plus ET, 5-No hx of a fib with IV rt-PA only, 6-Hx of a fib with IV rt-PA only. Primary outcome was defined as any sICH within 72 hours of treatment using the NINDS definition. Baseline demographics were compared. Chi squared was used to assess differences in sICH rates and logistic regression to compare individual groups. Analyses were both unadjusted and adjusted for baseline NIHSS, age, sex, baseline blood pressure, pre-stroke mRS, smoking status, and baseline glucose. Results: We identified 720 AIS patients who received acute treatment (IV rt-PA: n=578; ET: n=100; IV rt-PA+ET:n=18). There was a significant difference in sex (p=0.005); Hispanic ethnicity (p=0.002); current smoking (p=<0.001); current alcohol use (p=0.03), CHF (p=0.01); and age (p<0.0001) between groups. Baseline NIHSS was significantly higher in Group 4 (23, SD 8, p=<0.001).In adjusted analysis, there was no significant difference in sICH in patients with a fib after receiving IVtPA (OR 1.53, CI 0.47-4.99, p=0.48), ET (OR 0.93 , CI 0-∞, p=1.00), or both (OR 0.25,CI 0.00-9.07, p=0.45) compared to those without afib. There was no significant difference in sICH in adjusted analyses in patients with and without a fib overall (OR 0.93, CI 0-∞, p=1.00). Conclusion: In this study, atrial fibrillation did not have a significant impact on rates of sICH in AIS patients treated with IV rt-PA, ET, or both. This study supports the safety of IV rt-PA, ET, and combination therapy in the atrial fibrillation population.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Achit ◽  
Francis guillemin ◽  
Marc Soudant ◽  
Kossar Hosseini ◽  
Aurelie Bannay ◽  
...  

Background and purpose: The benefit of mechanical thrombectomy added to intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke has been largely demonstrated. However, evidence on economic incentive of this strategy is still limited, especially in the context of randomized trial. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether the combination of mechanical thrombectomy with intravenous thrombolysis is more cost-effective than implementing intravenous thrombolysis alone. Patients and methods: Individual-level cost and outcome data were collected in the THRACE randomized clinical trial, including patients with acute ischaemic stroke and proximal cerebral artery occlusion. Patients were assigned to either intravenous thrombolysis (IVT; n = 208) or intravenous thrombolysis plus intra-arterial thrombectomy (IVMT; n=204). The primary outcomes were both modified Rankin scale of functional independence at 90 days (score 0-2) and the EuroQol-5D score of quality of life. This study considered the perspective of the National Health Security System in France. Results: Bridging therapy increased by 10.9% the rate of functional independence compared to IVT (53% vs 42,1%) at an increased cost of 1909 є, with no significant difference in mortality (12% vs 13%) or symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (2% vs 2%). Cost per one averted case of disability was consequently estimated at 17,480 є. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained was 13,423 є. Sensitivity analysis showed that combined approach had 84.1% probability of being cost-effective regarding cases of averted disability and 92.2% probability regarding quality-adjusted life year outcome. The national implementation of this new strategy would result in additional cost of 12.9 million є and avoid about 737 cases of death or disability. Conclusions: Based on randomized trial, this study demonstrates that intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical intra-arterial thrombectomy for treating acute ischemic stroke is more cost-effective than intravenous thrombolysis alone.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Provencher ◽  
Ashley Scherman ◽  
Elizabeth Baraban ◽  
Robert Jackson ◽  
Tamela L Stuchiner ◽  
...  

Previous studies have shown that faster Door to Needle (DTN) treatment times are associated with better outcomes for acute ischemic stroke patients. With the continued push for faster times, we aimed to determine if DTN treatment times in the 30- vs 45-minute time window yielded statistically significant differences in outcomes or complications. Data obtained from a multi-state stroke registry included acute ischemic stroke patients ≥18 years of age discharged between January 2017 and April 2020, and treated with IV alteplase with DTN times between 25-30 or 40-45 minutes. Outcomes were 90-day Modified Rankin Score (mRS) (0-2 vs 3-6), discharge disposition [home or inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) vs other location], complications (any treatment-related complication vs none), and hospital length of stay (LOS). Patients with a documented reason for delay or who received thrombectomy were excluded. Outcomes of patients with 25- to 30-minute DTN times were compared to those with 40- to 45-minute DTN times using generalized linear models and multiple linear regression, adjusting for admission NIHSS, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and medical history. Compared to the 20-25 minute group, patients treated in the 40-45 minute window had higher odds of a documented 90-day mRS of 3 or more (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=1.19, p=0.253, n=201 ) and treatment-related complication (AOR=1.35, p=0.569) and lower odds of discharge to home or IRF (AOR=0.846, p=0.359). There was little difference in LOS (β=-0.008, p=0.847). None of the outcomes reached statistical significance. Administering alteplase in the 25- to 30-minute window is safe and did not result in an increase in bleeding complications. Although faster treatment times trended toward better outcomes, there was no statistically significant difference between the 25-30 and 40-45 minute DTN treatment times.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Po-Jen Hsu ◽  
Chih-Hao Chen ◽  
Shin-Joe Yeh ◽  
Li-Kai Tsai ◽  
Sung-Chun Tang ◽  
...  

Background: D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product and a possible marker of thromboembolic events. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between D-dimer levels and outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis. Methods: This retrospective study included AIS patients who received intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and provided plasma D-dimer level within 24 h after stroke onset during 2009 and 2014 at a single medical center. Unfavorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale ≥3 at 3 months after stroke. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was defined as a deterioration of at least 4 points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale within 36 h post thrombolysis. Results: Of 347 patients receiving intravenous rt-PA, 159 (mean age 67.6 ± 13.1 year, 59.7% male) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In univariate analysis, patients with unfavorable outcome (n = 79) had significantly higher levels of D-dimer than those with favorable outcome (median ln D-dimer = 1.4 vs. 0.7 μg/ml, p < 0.001). After adjustment for clinical variables, a higher level of D-dimer remained significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.27-2.86, p = 0.002) and the occurrence of symptomatic ICH (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.15-7.70, p = 0.025). Conclusion: The D-dimer level within 24 h after stroke onset can be an early outcome indicator in AIS patients receiving rt-PA therapy.


Author(s):  
Elyar Sadeghi-Hokmabadi ◽  
Abdoreza Ghoreishi ◽  
Reza Rikhtegar ◽  
Payam Sariaslani ◽  
Shahram Rafie ◽  
...  

Background: Rates of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) differ depending regard are scarce in the Middle Eastern region. Methods: The present retrospective study was performed on data extracted from the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke (SITS) registry. Computed tomography (CT) image analysis was based on the SITS-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) definition for symptomatic ICH (SICH). Functional outcome at 3 months was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Multivariate logistic regression including adjusted analysis was used for comparison between groups. Results: Of 6615 patients, 1055 were enrolled. A total of 86% (n = 906) received a standard dose and 14% (n = 149) received a low dose of alteplase. Favorable 3-month outcome was achieved in 481 (53%) patients in the standard group and 71 (48%) patients in the low-dose group [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87-1.75, P = 0.218]. SICH occurred in 14 (1.5%) patients in the standard group and 3 (2%) patients in the low-dose group [odds ratio (OR) = 2.77, 95% CI: 0.36-21.04, P = 0.120]. At 3 months, mortality occurred in 145 (16.0%) patients in the standard group and 29 (19.4%) patients in the low-dose group (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.78-1.91, P = 0.346). Conclusion: Low-dose compared to standard-dose alteplase for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) was not associated with fewer hemorrhagic events and there was no significant difference in the favorable 3-month outcome (mRS: 0-2) or mortality rate.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashkan Mowla ◽  
Haris Kamal ◽  
Navdeep Lail ◽  
Rick Magun ◽  
Sandhya Mehla ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in patients who received Intravenous tPA(IVT) for acute ischemic stroke(AIS) and were later found to have platelets less than 100,000 /mm 3 . Background: With increasing use of IVT for AIS and more studies on its risk and benefits, many of the initial exclusion criteria which were part of the pivotal NINDS trial have been challenged with well-designed case series and reports. Based on the latest scientific statement from the AHA/ASA on the exclusion and inclusion criteria for IVT in AIS published in February 2016, the safety and efficacy of IVT in AIS is unknown for the patients with platelet count <100,000(Class III, Level of evidence C). The platelet threshold of 100,000 /mm 3 was derived from expert consensus in the NINDS trial and since many of the exclusion criteria have been challenged, this value also comes into question. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who received IVT for AIS from the beginning of 2006 till the end of August 2015 at our large volume comprehensive stroke center (SUNY Buffalo). Those with platelets <100,000/mm 3 were identified. Head CT done in 24 to 36 hours Post-thrombolysis was reviewed to evaluate the rate of sICH. sICH was defined as ICH with an increase in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale of at least 4 points. Results: A total of 835 patients received IV rtPA for AIS in our center during a 9·6-year period. Fifty one patients (6.1 %) were found to have sICH. A total of 5 patients (0.6 %) were identified to have platelet count <100,000 /mm 3 . One of them (20%) developed sICH post IV tPA administration .The mean platelet count of those 5 patients was 63,000 ± 19,000 /mm 3 (Range: 38,000 - 85,000 /mm 3 ) . To the best of our knowledge, only 21 thrombocytopenic patients have been reported to receive IV rtPA for AIS in the medical literature. Combining our 5 cases with 21 patients previously reported, we have 26 AIS patients who had platelet count <100,000 /mm 3 and received IV rtPA, with 2 of them developed sICH (7.7 %). Comparing the rate of sICH among this group with the patients with normal platelet count in our cohort, there was no statistically significant difference (7.7% versus 6.04%, p-value = 0.73). Conclusion: Although our extremely low number of cases precludes any solid conclusion, IV rtPA for AIS might be safe in patients with platelet count <100,000/ mm 3 and it is reasonable not to delay IV rtPA administration while waiting for the platelet count result, unless there is strong suspicion for abnormal platelet count.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Bavarsad Shahripour ◽  
Benjamin R Shifflett ◽  
Edward Labin ◽  
Anna Barminova ◽  
Morgan Figurelle ◽  
...  

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to atrial fibrillation (a fib) may not have as favourable of a response to intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular treatment (ET) compared to other stroke subtypes. The purpose of this study was to compare the 90-day outcome in patients with and without a history of a fib treated with IV rt-PA and/or ET. Method: Consecutive stroke code activations were retrospectively analyzed from January 2004-June 2020 at an academic comprehensive stroke center. Patients were included if they were treated with IV rt-PA and/or ET within 24 hours of stroke onset. Patients were stratified into the six groups: 1- No history of a fib with ET only, 2- History of a fib with ET only, 3- No history of a fib with IV rt-PA plus ET, 4- History of a fib with IV rt-PA plus ET, 5- No history of a fib with IV rt-PA only, 6- History of a fib with IV rt-PA only. Primary outcome was 90 day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with favourable outcome defined as mRS 0-2. Baseline demographics were compared and pairwise Wilcoxon Rank was used to assess group differences followed by multinomial regression. Analyses were both unadjusted and adjusted for baseline NIHSS, age, sex, baseline blood pressure, pre-stroke mRS, smoking status, and baseline glucose. Results: We identified 720 AIS patients who received acute treatment (IV rt-PA: n=578; ET: n=100; IV rt-PA+ET:n=18). There was a significant difference in sex (p=0.005); Hispanic ethnicity (p=0.002); current smoking (p=<0.001); current alcohol use (p=0.03), CHF (p=0.01); and age (p<0.0001) between groups. Baseline NIHSS was significantly higher in Group 4 (23, SD 8, p=<0.001). In adjusted analysis, there were significantly more patients with mRS 1 (p=0.03) and mRS 2 (p=0.01) in Group 5 compared to group 6. There was no significant difference in “favourable outcome” in adjusted analyses both between groups and in patients with and without afib overall (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 0.19-50.97, p=0.43). Conclusion: In this study, afib did not have a significant impact on 90-day outcome in AIS patients treated with IV rt-PA, ET, or both. This study supports the acute use of IV rt-PA in the atrial fibrillation population despite anecdotal comments that cardioembolic strokes do not improve with thrombolysis.


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