scholarly journals Team Prenotification Reduces Procedure Times for Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Large Vessel Occlusion Who Are Transferred for Endovascular Therapy

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars-Peder Pallesen ◽  
Simon Winzer ◽  
Christian Hartmann ◽  
Matthias Kuhn ◽  
Johannes C. Gerber ◽  
...  

Background: The clinical benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke is time-dependent. We tested the hypothesis that team prenotification results in faster procedure times prior to initiation of EVT.Methods: We analyzed data from our prospective database (01/2016–02/2018) including all patients with acute ischemic stroke who were evaluated for EVT at our comprehensive stroke center. We established a standardized algorithm (EVT-Call) in 06/2017 to prenotify team members (interventional neuroradiologist, neurologist, anesthesiologist, CT and angiography technicians) about patient transfer from remote hospitals for evaluation of EVT, and team members were present in the emergency department at the expected patient arrival time. We calculated door-to-image, image-to-groin and door-to-groin times for patients who were transferred to our center for evaluation of EVT, and analyzed changes before (–EVT-Call) and after (+EVT-Call) implementation of the EVT-Call.Results: Among 494 patients in our database, 328 patients were transferred from remote hospitals for evaluation of EVT (208 -EVT-Call and 120 +EVT-Call, median [IQR] age 75 years [65–81], NIHSS score 17 [12–22], 49.1% female). Of these, 177 patients (54%) underwent EVT after repeated imaging at our center (111/208 [53%) -EVT-Call, 66/120 [55%] +EVT-Call). Median (IQR) door-to-image time (18 min [14–22] vs. 10 min [7–13]; p < 0.001), image-to-groin time (54 min [43.5–69.25] vs. 47 min [38.3–58.75]; p = 0.042) and door-to-groin time (74 min [58–86.5] vs. 60 min [49.3–71]; p < 0.001) were reduced after implementation of the EVT-Call.Conclusions: Team prenotification results in faster patient assessment and initiation of EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Its impact on functional outcome needs to be determined.

2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110068
Author(s):  
Yu Hang ◽  
Zhen Yu Jia ◽  
Lin Bo Zhao ◽  
Yue Zhou Cao ◽  
Huang Huang ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Ludwig Schlemm ◽  
Matthias Endres ◽  
Jan F. Scheitz ◽  
Marielle Ernst ◽  
Christian H. Nolte ◽  
...  

Background The best strategy to identify patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke and unknown vessel status (large vessel occlusion) for direct transport to a comprehensive stroke center instead of a nearer primary stroke center is unknown. Methods and Results We used mathematical modeling to estimate the impact of 10 increasingly complex prehospital triage strategy paradigms on the reduction of population‐wide stroke‐related disability. The model was applied to suspected acute ischemic stroke patients in (1) abstract geographies, and (2) 3 real‐world urban and rural geographies in Germany. Transport times were estimated based on stroke center location and road infrastructure; spatial distribution of emergency medical services calls was derived from census data with high spatial granularity. Parameter uncertainty was quantified in sensitivity analyses. The mothership strategy was associated with a statistically significant population‐wide gain of 8 to 18 disability‐adjusted life years in the 3 real‐world geographies and in most simulated abstract geographies (net gain −4 to 66 disability‐adjusted life years). Of the more complex paradigms, transportation of patients with clinically suspected large vessel occlusion based on a dichotomous large vessel occlusion detection scale to the nearest comprehensive stroke center yielded an additional clinical benefit of up to 12 disability‐adjusted life years in some rural but not in urban geographies. Triage strategy paradigms based on probabilistic conditional modeling added an additional benefit of 0 to 4 disability‐adjusted life years over less complex strategies if based on variable cutoff scores. Conclusions Variable stroke severity cutoff scores were associated with the highest reduction in stroke‐related disability. The mothership strategy yielded better clinical outcome than the drip‐‘n'‐ship strategy in most geographies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 104315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashvat M. Desai ◽  
Matthew Starr ◽  
Bradley J. Molyneaux ◽  
Marcelo Rocha ◽  
Tudor G. Jovin ◽  
...  

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunakorn Atchaneeyasakul ◽  
Shashvat Desai ◽  
Jay Dolia ◽  
Kavit Shah ◽  
Merritt Brown ◽  
...  

Background: The current 2018 AHA/ASA Guidelines for early stroke management recommend use of IV tPA in all eligible acute ischemic stroke patients within 4.5 hours of onset while being considered for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Whether or not tPA administration is beneficial prior to thrombectomy is still an ongoing debate. Potential delay of MT initiation due to tPA start is a major concern but has not been well-delineated in empirical studies. Methods: In a prospective large volume comprehensive stroke center registry, we analyzed all patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) treated with thrombectomy between 2012-2017, who arrived directly from field to ED within 4.5h of last known well. Patients without contraindication to IV-tPA are given bolus dose in the scanner suite and the remainder of the 1h infusion en route to and in the angio-suite to prevent delay. Results: Among 777 thrombectomy patients identified in the database, 237 arrived directly within 4.5 hours from onset, including 65.8% (156) not treated with IV-tPA and 34.2% (81) receiving IV-tPA, both well-matched in age and NIHSS. Overall, the door-to-needle (DTN) time was 40m (IQR31-56), surpassing the Target Stroke national targets (60m and 45m) active during the study period. However, median door-to-puncture (DTP) time was 22m longer in the IV-tPA group, 74 vs 52m (p<0.001). IV-tPA was not independently associated with better recanalization rate (TICI 2B-3 95.9% vs 92.9%) or functional independent outcome (modified Rankin score 0-2) at 90 days, 37.3% vs 39.4%. Conclusion: IV-tPA administration in AIS-LVO was associated with delayed door-to-puncture times in a comprehensive stroke center with efficient DTN times surpassing advanced national targets, without change in recanalization rate or outcomes. Randomized trials are needed to determine the net positive, neutral, or negative effect of IV-tPA in this population.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Korya ◽  
Mohammad Moussavi ◽  
Siddhart Mehta ◽  
Jaskiran Brar ◽  
Mena Samaan ◽  
...  

Background: The treatment of acute ischemic stroke has evolved over the past several years to utilize neuroimaging in guiding therapy. With regard to IV tPA and thrombectomy, recent endovascular therapy trials have utilized the ASPECT score in determining if intervention should be attempted. We sought to evaluate different regions of interest on the ASPECT score to determine if specific areas of injury should be weighed more heavily during decision making. Methods: We evaluated the pre-intervention CT scans of the head on all patients who received IV tPA and mechanical thrombectomy during the last two years at a community based, university affiliated comprehensive stroke center. All 20 regions of interest (ROIs) of the ASPECT score were compared with each other with regard to initial NIH stroke score, discharge NIHSS, delta NIHSS and modified Rankin Score to determine if one or more regions were associated with worse outcome. SPSS version 22 was used to determine Spearman rho values and paired samples t-test. Results: A total of 864 patients presented with acute ischemic stroke, of which 70 patients received IV tPA followed by mechanical thrombectomy and were included in the study. The 4 ROIs with the greatest correlation with worse outcome as rated by discharge mRS were the right and left M5-M6 [4.2 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.5-4.8); 4.3 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.4-5.1); 4.3 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.4-5.2); 4.2 (p=.001, 95%CI 3.6-4.8), respectively]. Conclusion: Early changes defined as hypodensity in the M5 and M6 ROIs on either side of the pre-intervention head CT were associated with significantly worse outcomes. A modified ASPECT score should be considered to better prognosticate patients and guide the appropriateness of endovascular therapy in select patients. These findings should be validated in a larger population and a longer follow-up period.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberley Stephania Yescas Garibay ◽  
Nguyen Vo ◽  
Syung Jung ◽  
Sun Lee

Background: The morbidity of acute ischemic Stroke (AIS) caused by a large vessel occlusion (LVO) can be significantly reduced with endovascular intervention. However, delay in diagnosis can exclude a patient from therapy.Rapid Arterial Occlusion evaluation (RACE) score of five or more have an 85% chance of being LVO acute ischemic stroke. Pre-arrival notification of potential LVO cases by EMS (Emergency Medical Service) is an important factor to reduce door-to-transfer time from a Primary Stroke Center (PSC) to a Comprehensive Stroke center (CSC). We hypothesize that immediate feedback to EMS teams on their pre-hospital RACE score reporting will improve prehospital recognition of LVO strokes. Therefore, reducing the Door to Needle CTA (CT Angiogram) and/or Door to Transfer Time for endovascular treatment. Methods: Our inclusion criteria included patients with a diagnosis of AIS brought in by EMS with a RACE score of five or more, was given IV thrombolytics, or transferred to a comprehensive stroke center for endovascular treatment. A 5-item feedback form was developed for each case and was reviewed biweekly with our EMS liaison. Feedback included compliance with RACE score reporting, presence of IV access, CTA time, and TPA/Transfer time. Direct feedback was verbally given to the EMS transport team. Results: Comparison of data from a twelve-month preintervention period (n=29) to a four-month postintervention period (n=12) was conducted through direct comparison. This showed a decrease in mean Door-to-CTA time from 212.14 (CI ±83.3) to 97.08 (CI ±54.92) minutes with a p-value of 0.0126 in a one-tailed t-Test, a 54% reduction and a reduction in door to transfer time (305 minutes to 132 minutes, a 56.7 % reduction ). Conclusion: A pilot project focused on providing immediate feedback to EMS regarding accurate prehospital notification of RACE score showed a statistically significant improvement in door to CTA time and door to transfer time. Extension of the post study period is needed to confirm the significance of transfer time. This study demonstrates the importance of collaboration between a PSC and EMS to ensure prompt diagnosis and transfer for endovascular treatment of AIS caused by LVO.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Rocha ◽  
William T Delfyett ◽  
Amin Aghaebrahim ◽  
Ashutosh Jadhav ◽  
Tudor Jovin

Background and Purpose: CT angiography yields rapid detection of a major cerebral vessel occlusion during the evaluation of patients with acute ischemic stroke leading to its widespread use in rapidly triaging for IA trial enrollment. In such trials, patients who have an extracranial carotid occlusion in tandem to the intracranial target lesion are typically excluded. However, ICA terminus occlusions may be misidentified as cervical carotid occlusions on CTA. The goal of this study is to determine the accuracy of CTA in identifying ICA terminus occlusions from tandem carotid occlusions (cervical and intracranial segments). Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database containing patients treated at our comprehensive stroke center between 1996 and 2014 in whom catheter angiogram and CT angiogram were available on PACS. A Neuroradiologist, blinded to catheter angiographic results reviewed the CT angiography identifying the presence of intracranial stenoses and concomitant cervical carotid occlusions. Results: Of 196 patients presenting with intracranial carotid occlusions on catheter based angiogram, 101 patients were identified with good quality CT angiography and subsequent catheter angiograms. Mean ages for identified patients was 65 +/- 14, of which 52% women and 48% men. Forty-four percent of patients had an ASPECT score of 9-10. The overall rate of agreement between retrospective CTA and conventional angiography readings was 77%. Of 72 isolated intracranial occlusions on conventional angiography, CT angiography misidentified 23 cervical carotid occlusions. The sensitivity of CTA for detecting isolated carotid terminus occlusion was 68% in this cohort. Specific factors associated with CT and catheter based angiographic discrepancy are reviewed. Conclusions: The study raises systematic considerations for maximizing inclusion of patients with target arterial occlusions who are most likely to benefit from intra-arterial therapy in future clinical trials. Future steps will include determination of specificity, predictive value of CTA for localization of specific carotid occlusion sites. Clinical variables associated with lower CTA accuracy will also be examined.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Kass-Hout ◽  
Tareq Kass-Hout ◽  
Maxim Mokin ◽  
David Orion ◽  
Shadi Jahshan ◽  
...  

Background: Large vessel occlusions with a high clot burden are less likely to improve with the FDA-approved IV strategy. Endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke symptom onset provides an effective alternative treatment in patients with large vessel occlusion. It is not clear if combination of IV thrombolysis and endovascular approach is superior to endovascular treatment alone. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated within the first 3 h stroke onset during the 2005-2010 period. First group received endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke onset. Second group consisted of patients who received IV thrombolysis within the first 3 h followed by endovascular therapy. We compared the following outcomes: revascularization rates, NIHSS score at discharge, mRS at discharge and 3months, symptomatic hemorrhage rates and mortality. Results: Among 104 patients identified, 42 received combined therapy, and 62 received endovascular therapy only. The two groups had similar demographic (age and sex distribution) and vascular risk factors distribution, as well as NIHSS score on admission (14.8±4.7 and 16.0±5.3; p=0.23). We found no difference in TIMI recanalization rates (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale score of 2 or 3) following combined or endovascular therapy alone (83.3% and 79.0%; p=0.59). A preferred outcome, defined as a mRS of 2 or less at 90 days also did not differ between the combined therapy group and the endovascular only group (37.5% and 34.5%; p=0.76). There was no difference in mortality rate (22.5% and 31.0%; p=0.36) and the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (9.5% and 8.1%; p=0.73). There was a significant difference in mean time from symptom onset to endovascular treatment between the combined group (227±88 min) and endovascular only group (125±40 min; p<0.0001).Patients with good TIMI recanalization rate of 2 or 3 showed a trend of having a better mRS at 90 days in both bridging (16.67% vs. 41.18%, p-value: 0.3813) and endovascular groups (25% vs. 34.78%, p-value: 0.7326).When analyzing the correlation of mRS at 90 days with the site of occlusion, patients in the bridging group showed a trend of a better outcome when the site of occlusion was ICA (33.3% vs 30%) and MCA (66.67% vs. 27.59%) and worse outcome when the site of occlusion was in the posterior circulation (26.32% vs. 50%), however, these results were not statistically significant (p-values: 0.1735& 0.5366). Conclusion: Combining IV thrombolysis and endovascular therapy achieves similar rates of clinical outcomes, revascularization rates, complications and mortality rates, when compared with endovascular treatment alone. The combined therapy, however, significantly delays initiation of endovascular treatment. A randomized prospective trial comparing both treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke is warranted


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivien H Lee ◽  
Paul A Segerstrom ◽  
Ciarán J Powers ◽  
Sharon Heaton ◽  
Shahid M Nimjee ◽  
...  

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who present to a spoke Emergency Room (ER) and require transfer to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) hub face potential delays Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 269 suspected AIS patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from July 2016 to October 2017 in our academic telestroke network. During this period, nearly all tPA patients were transferred to the CSC hub. Data was collected on patient demographics, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), door to needle time (DTN), and distance to CSC. ER-to-CSC was defined as the time from patient arrival at Spoke ER to arrival at CSC. Top volume ER status was assigned to the 4 Spoke ERs with the highest volume of tPA. Results: Among 269 AIS patients who received tPA at spoke ERs, the mean age was 65.4 years (range, 21 to 95), 49% were female, and 91.8% were white. The initial median NIHSS was 6 (range, 0 to 30) and the mean DTN was 73.1 minutes (range, 14 to 234). The mean distance from Spoke ER to CSC was 55.2 miles (range 5.8 to 125) and the mean ER-to-CSC was 2.6 hours (range 0.62 to 6.3) (Figure 1). In univariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with ER-to-CSC: distance (p < 0.0001), DTN (p < 0.0001), NIHSS (p 0.0007), and top volume ER status (p 0.0034). Patient sex, age, race, SBP, weight, initial NIHSS, daytime shift, and weekend status were not significantly associated with ER-to-CSC. Significant variables from the univariate analysis were included in multivariate linear regression model in which DTN (P < 0.0001), distance (P < 0.0001), and NIHSS (P 0.024) association with ER-to-CSC remained significant. Conclusions: In our series of AIS tPA patients transferred to CSC, the mean time from spoke ER arrival to CSC arrival was 2.6 hours. Factors associated with CSC arrival time include markers of ER performance (DTN), severity (NIHSS), and distance. Further study is warranted to improve transfer time in AIS.


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