Prehospital Stroke Triage

Purpose of the ReviewThis article reviews prehospital organization in the treatment of acute stroke. Rapid access to an endovascular therapy (EVT) capable center and prehospital assessment of large vessel occlusion (LVO) are 2 important challenges in acute stroke therapy. This article emphasizes the use of transfer protocols to assure the prompt access of patients with an LVO to a comprehensive stroke center where EVT can be offered. Available prehospital clinical tools and novel technologies to identify LVO are also discussed. Moreover, different routing paradigms like first attention at a local stroke center (“drip and ship”), direct transfer of the patient to an endovascular center (“mothership”), transfer of the neurointerventional team to a local primary center (“drip and drive”), mobile stroke units, and prehospital management communication tools all aimed to improve connection and coordination between care levels are reviewed.Recent FindingsLocal observational data and mathematical models suggest that implementing triage tools and bypass protocols may be an efficient solution. Ongoing randomized clinical trials comparing drip and ship vs mothership will elucidate which is the more effective routing protocol.SummaryPrehospital organization is critical in realizing maximum benefit from available therapies in acute stroke. The optimal transfer protocols directed to accelerate EVT are under study, and more accurate prehospital triage tools are needed. To improve care in the prehospital setting, efficient tools based on patient factors, local geography, and hospital capability are needed. These tools would optimally lead to individualized real-time decision-making.

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Risk Assessment of the Door‐In‐Door‐Out Process at Primary Stroke Centers for Patients With Acute Stroke Requiring Transfer to Comprehensive Stroke Centers

Journal of the American Heart Association ◽

10.1161/jaha.121.021803 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

Author(s):

Jane L. Holl ◽

Rebeca Khorzad ◽

Rebecca Zobel ◽

Amy Barnard ◽

Maureen Hillman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Failure Modes ◽

Learning Collaborative ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Solution Design ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Criticality Analysis

Background Patients with acute stroke at non‐ or primary stroke centers (PSCs) are transferred to comprehensive stroke centers for advanced treatments that reduce disability but experience significant delays in treatment and increased adjusted mortality. This study reports the results of a proactive, systematic, risk assessment of the door‐in‐door‐out process and its application to solution design. Methods and Results A learning collaborative (clinicians, patients, and caregivers) at 2 PSCs and 3 comprehensive stroke centers in Chicago, Illinois participated in a failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis to identify steps in the process; failures of each step, underlying causes; and to characterize each failure’s frequency, impact, and safeguards using standardized scores to calculate risk priority and criticality numbers for ranking. Targets for solution design were selected among the highest‐ranked failures. The failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis process map and risk table were completed during in‐person and virtual sessions. Failure to detect severe stroke/large‐vessel occlusion on arrival at the PSC is the highest‐ranked failure and can lead to a 45‐minute door‐in‐door‐out delay caused by failure to obtain a head computed tomography and computed tomography angiogram together. Lower risk failures include communication problems and delays within the PSC team and across the PSC comprehensive stroke center and paramedic teams. Seven solution prototypes were iteratively designed and address 4 of the 10 highest‐ranked failures. Conclusions The failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis identified and characterized previously unrecognized failures of the door‐in‐door‐out process. Use of a risk‐informed approach for solution design is novel for stroke and should mitigate or eliminate the failures.

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Abstract TP22: Outcomes After Endovascular Therapy in a Population With Mild Acute Ischemic Stroke: A 6.5 Year Observational Cohort Study at a High Volume Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tp22 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Donald Frei ◽

Alessandro Orlando ◽

Richard Bellon ◽

Jeffrey Wagner ◽

Christopher V Fanale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Outcomes ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

High Volume ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Meaningful Improvement ◽

Early Symptom ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Iv Tpa

Introduction: Despite suffering mild acute ischemic strokes (AIS, NIHSS≤7), patients have a non-zero risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Intra-arterial therapy (IAT) is clearly effective in non-mild AIS, but mild AISs have been excluded from IAT trials, limiting our understanding of their outcomes after IAT. The objective of this study was to report on patient outcomes in a mild AIS population who received IAT. Methods: We included all adults (≥18) with a mild AIS admitted over 6.5 years to a high-volume comprehensive stroke center and who received IAT. Patients were excluded for any contraindication to IAT (n=240). Outcomes were symptomatic ICH (sICH), in-hospital mortality, discharge mRS ≤2, and an improvement in NIHSS at discharge (>2 vs ≤2). Results: There were 55 patients included in the study (Table 1). Overall, patients were predominately aged 55-79 years, admitted with an NIHSS 4-7, or had hypertension. 72% of patients either had a cardioembolic or large vessel occlusion (LVO), and 73% arrived either 0h to 4.5h, or >6h to <12h from symptom onset. 15 patients also received IV-tPA. There were no sICHs. Mortality was 9%; a majority of deaths were in males, patients with ages 55-79, LVOs, or an early symptom to arrival time. 42% of patients showed a 3-point improvement in NIHSS at discharge; a majority of these patients were white, aged 55-79, or had hyperlipidemia. Ultimately, 45% were discharged with an mRS ≥2. There were no cerebral artery perforations or groin complications. Conclusions: These data highlight the safety of IAT in patients with mild AIS, mirroring the results seen in recent large randomized clinical trials showing efficacy of IAT in the non-mild AIS population. Patients in our study had a non-existent risk of sICH, and a mortality rate similar to literature examining IV-tPA administration in patients with mild AIS. Furthermore, a large proportion of patients showed a clinically meaningful improvement in NIHSS, or were discharged with a favorable mRS.

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Prehospital Triage Accuracy in Patients With Stroke Symptoms Assessed Within 6 to 24 Hours or With an Unknown Time of Onset

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.033676 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 1441-1445

Author(s):

Tove Almqvist ◽

Annika Berglund ◽

Christina Sjöstrand ◽

Einar Eriksson ◽

Michael V. Mazya

Keyword(s):

High Specificity ◽

High Likelihood ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Triage System ◽

Hospital Patients ◽

Primary Stroke Center ◽

Prehospital Triage ◽

Suspected Stroke ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center

Background and Purpose: The Stockholm Stroke Triage System, implemented in 2017, identifies patients with high likelihood of large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. A previous report has shown Stockholm Stroke Triage System notably reduced time to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). As the indication for EVT now includes patients up to 24 hours, we aimed to assess Stockholm Stroke Triage System triage accuracy for LVO stroke and EVT treatment for patients presenting late (within 6-24 hours or with an unknown onset), put in contrast to triage accuracy within 0 to 6 hours. Methods: Between October 2017 and October 2018, we included 2905 patients with suspected stroke, transported by priority 1 ground ambulance to a Stockholm Region hospital. Patients assessed 6 to 24 hours from last known well or with unknown onset were defined as late-presenting; those within <6 hours as early-presenting. Triage positivity was defined as transport to comprehensive stroke center because of suspected stroke, hemiparesis and high likelihood of EVT-eligible LVO per teleconsultation. Results: Overall triage accuracy was high in late-presenting patients (90.9% for LVO, 93.9% for EVT), with high specificity (95.7% for LVO, 94.5% for EVT), and low to moderate sensitivity (34.3% for LVO, 64.7% for EVT), with similar findings in the early-presenting group. Conclusions: Our results may support using the Stockholm Stroke Triage System for primary stroke center bypass in patients assessed by ambulance up to 24 hours from time of last known well.

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In-Hospital Intravenous Thrombolysis Offers No Benefit in Mechanical Thrombectomy in Optimized Tertiary Stroke Center Setting

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00270-020-02727-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juha-Pekka Pienimäki ◽

Jyrki Ollikainen ◽

Niko Sillanpää ◽

Sara Protto

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Acute Stroke ◽

Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Stroke Center

Abstract Purpose Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the first-line treatment in acute stroke patients presenting with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to MT is being contested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MT without IVT in patients with no contraindications to IVT presenting directly to a tertiary stroke center with acute anterior circulation LVO. Materials and Methods We collected the data of 106 acute stroke patients who underwent MT in a single high-volume stroke center. Patients with anterior circulation LVO eligible for IVT and directly admitted to our institution who subsequently underwent MT were included. We recorded baseline clinical, laboratory, procedural, and imaging variables and technical, imaging, and clinical outcomes. The effect of intravenous thrombolysis on 3-month clinical outcome (mRS) was analyzed with univariate tests and binary and ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results Fifty-eight out of the 106 patients received IVT + MT. These patients had 2.6-fold higher odds of poorer clinical outcome in mRS shift analysis (p = 0.01) compared to MT-only patients who had excellent 3-month clinical outcome (mRS 0–1) three times more often (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between the groups in process times, mTICI, or number of hemorrhagic complications. A trend of less distal embolization and higher number of device passes was observed among the MT-only patients. Conclusions MT without prior IVT was associated with an improved overall three-month clinical outcome in acute anterior circulation LVO patients.

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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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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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Abstract W P211: Clinical Characteristics of Pseudo Negative Cases in Prehospital Triage for Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.46.suppl_1.wp211 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shuichi Tonomura

Keyword(s):

Acute Stroke ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Stroke Onset ◽

The Other ◽

Small Vessel ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Stroke Subtypes ◽

Prehospital Triage ◽

Prehospital Diagnosis

Objective: The accuracy of prehospital diagnosis for stroke by emergency medical services (EMS) is improved using instruments for symptom recognition. On the other hand, prehospital misdiagnosis for stroke and subsequent delay in presentation to a hospital with stroke expertise play a critical role in the exclusion of potential therapeutic candidates. Our study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics of pseudo-negative cases in prehospital triage for stroke/TIA by EMS. Methods: From April 2013 to April 2014, consecutive 644 acute stroke patients were transferred by EMS to our hospital. We investigated prehospital diagnosis, Cincinnati prehospital stroke scale (CPSS) by EMS, neurological symptoms and complaints of patients themselves at stroke onset. We also examined activity of daily life (ADL) and cognitive impairments before stroke onset, and stroke subtypes in final diagnoses. Results: Among 644 acute stroke patients, 36 patients (22 men, mean 72.5±4.4 years old) were pseudo-negative cases in prehospital triage for stroke and had no abnormalities in CPSS by EMS. When EMS arrived at emergency site, 12 patients (33%) had loss of consciousness. Before stroke onset, 6 patients (17%) had impaired ADL (modified Rankin Scale >2), and 5 (14%) cognitive impairment. Among the stroke subtypes, the proportion of small vessel occlusion (22.4%, p=0.0025) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) (25%, p=0.0021) was significant higher in pseudo negative cases in prehospital triage; on the other hand, intracranial hemorrage (11%, p=0.0028) was lower. In complaint of patients themselves at stroke onset, weakness in one or two extremities was reported in 20 patients (56%), abnormal speech/language in 13 (36%), however all of them were not clarified by EMS. Conclusion: This study showed that small vessel occlusion and TIA tend to be misdiagnosed in a prehospital triage by EMS. The complaint of patients themselves at stroke onset is important to prehospital diagnoses by EMS.

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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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Abstract WP240: Ultra-acute Diagnostics for Stroke: Large-scale Implementation of Prehospital Biomarker Sampling

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.wp240 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Olli S Mattila ◽

Heini Harve ◽

Saana Pihlasviita ◽

Juhani Ritvonen ◽

Gerli Sibolt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Stroke ◽

Large Scale ◽

Biomarker Discovery ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Blood Sampling ◽

Blood Samples ◽

And Performance ◽

Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽

Stroke Center ◽

Acute Diagnostics

Background and purpose: Blood-based biomarkers could enable early and cost-effective diagnostics for acute stroke patients in the prehospital setting to support early initiation of treatments. However, large prehospital sample sets required for biomarker discovery and validation are missing, and the feasibility of large-scale blood sampling by emergency medical services (EMS) has not been determined. We set out to establish extensive prehospital blood sampling of thrombolysis candidates in the catchment area of our comprehensive stroke center, with a 1.5 million population base. Methods: EMS personnel were trained to collect prehospital blood samples using a cannula-adapter technique. Time delays, sample quality and performance bottlenecks were investigated between May 20, 2013 and May 19, 2014. Results: Prehospital blood sampling and study recruitment were successfully performed in 430 thrombolysis candidates, of which 55.3% were admitted outside office hours. The median (interquartile range) emergency call to prehospital sample time was 33 minutes (25-41), and the median time from reported symptom onset or wake-up to prehospital sample was 53 minutes (38-85; n=394). Prehospital sampling was performed 31 minutes (25-42) earlier than admission blood sampling, and 37 minutes (30-47) earlier than admission neuroimaging. Quality control data from 25 participating EMS units indicated a 4-minute increase in median transport time (from arrival on-scene to hospital door) for study patients compared to patients of the preceding year. The hemolysis rate in serum and plasma samples was 6.5% and 9.3% for EMS samples, and 0.7% and 1.6% for admission samples collected with venipuncture. Conclusions: Prehospital biomarker sampling is feasible in standard EMS units and provides a median timesaving of over 30 minutes to obtain first blood samples. Large biobanks of prehospital blood samples will facilitate development of ultra-acute stroke biomarkers.

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