scholarly journals The Effect of Transoesophageal Echocardiography on Treatment Change in a High-Volume Stroke Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 805
Author(s):  
Camille Siegel ◽  
Benjamin Marchandot ◽  
Kensuke Matsushita ◽  
Antonin Trimaille ◽  
Corina Mirea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Management ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Transoesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Treatment Change ◽  
Subsequent Change ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Ischemic Attack ◽  
Current Guidelines

Background and purpose—current guidelines recommend the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in relation to cardio-embolic sources of stroke. Methods—by using an hospital-based cohort, we retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), acute hemorrhagic stroke (AHS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) who were admitted in Strasbourg Stroke Center, France between November 2017 to December 2018. TEE reports were screened for detection of potential cardiac sources of embolism and the subsequent change in medical management. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify predictors of relevant TEE findings. Results-out of the 990 patients admitted with confirmed stroke, 432 patients (42.6%) underwent TEE. Patients with TEE were younger (62.8 ± 14.8 vs. 73.8, p < 0.001), presented less comorbidities and lower stroke severity assessed by lower NIHSS (2 IQR (0–4) vs. 3 IQR (0–10), p < 0.01) and Modified Rankin Scale (1 IQR (0–1) vs. 1 (0–3), p < 0.01). A total of 227 examinations (52.5%) demonstrated abnormal findings considered as potential cardiac sources of embolism and 31 examinations (7.1%) were followed by subsequent change in medical management. Age (HR: 0.948, 95% CI 0.923 to 0.974; p < 0.001), previous AIS (HR: 3.542, 95% CI 1.290 to 9.722; p = 0.01), previous TIA (HR: 7.830, CI 95% 2214 to 27,689; p = 0.001) and superficial middle cerebral artery territory infarction (HR: 2.774, CI 95% 1.168–6.589; p = 0.021) were strong independent predictors with change in medical management following TEE. Conclusions—additional TEE changed the medical course of stroke patients in 7.1% in a French high-volume stroke unit.

Thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in the elderly: a ‘real world’ experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1209-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Alawieh ◽  
Arindam Chatterjee ◽  
Wuwei Feng ◽  
Guilherme Porto ◽  
Jan Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Medical Management ◽  
High Volume ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Stroke Center

IntroductionCompleted randomized trials on endovascular thrombectomy (ET) did not independently assess the efficacy of ET in the elderly (≥80 years old) who were often excluded or under-represented in trials. There were also inconsistent criteria for patient selection in this population across the different trials. This work evaluates outcomes after ET for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the elderly at a high volume stroke center.MethodsWe reviewed all cases of AIS that underwent a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) thrombectomy for large vessel occlusions between March 2013 and October 2017 while comparing outcomes in the elderly with younger counterparts. We also reviewed AIS cases in elderly patients undergoing medical management who were matched to the ET counterparts by demographics, comorbidities, baseline deficits, and stroke severity.ResultsOf 560 patients undergoing ET for AIS, 108 patients were in the elderly group (≥80 years of age), and had a significantly lower likelihood of functional independence (defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at 90 days compared with younger patients (20.5% vs 44.4%, P<0.001), and higher mortality rates (34.3% vs 20%, P<0.001). When compared with patients undergoing medical management, elderly patients did not have a significant improvement in rates of good outcomes (20.5% vs 19.5%, P>0.05), and had significantly higher rates of hemorrhage (40.7% vs 9.3%, P<0.001). We also identified baseline stroke severity and the incidence of hemorrhage as two independent predictors of outcome in the elderly patients.ConclusionsET in the elderly did not show a similar benefit to younger patients when compared with medical management. These findings emphasize the need for more optimal selection criteria for the elderly population to improve the risk to benefit ratio of ET.

Frequency of Screening and Prevalence of Neurosyphilis in Stroke Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-306
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Targa Martins ◽  
Raphael Machado Castilhos ◽  
Pablo Silva da Silva ◽  
Leticia Scaranto Costa
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Venereal Disease ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Csf Analysis ◽  
Stroke Population ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Ischemic Attack

Background and Aims: Syphilis and stroke are high prevalent diseases in south Brazil and estimates of concomitance and possible role of syphilis in acute stroke are lacking. Our aims are to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and neurosyphilis (NS) in a cohort of tertiary stroke center. Methods: We reviewed all hospital records of stroke/transitory ischemic attack (TIA) using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, at discharge, frequency of syphilis screen, serology positivity, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and prevalence of NS in this stroke population applying CDC criteria. Results: Between 2015 and 2016, there were 1,436 discharges for cerebrovascular events and in 78% (1,119) of these cases, some syphilis screening was performed. We have found a frequency of positive serology for syphilis of 13% (143/1,119), and higher stroke severity was the main determinant for non-screening. Applying standard NS criteria, 4.7% (53/1,119) cases with CSF analysis had NS diagnosis: 8 based on CSF-Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) positive and 45 based on abnormal CSF white cells or protein, but CSF VDRL negative. NS VDRL positive cases were younger, had higher serum VDRL title, had more frequent HIV infection, and received NS treatment more often. Demographic and clinical characteristics were not different between NS VDRL negative and non-NS cases. Conclusion: Positive syphilis serology is frequent in patients with acute stroke/TIA in our region. Acute post-stroke CSF abnormalities make the diagnosis of NS difficult in the context of CSF VDRL negative.

Abstract W P308: A Four-Year Experience of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Rate Following Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator at a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C Wagner ◽  
Alessandro Orlando ◽  
Christopher V Fanale ◽  
Michelle Whaley ◽  
Kathryn L McCarthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Iv Tpa

OBJECTIVE: To describe the 4-year symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rate at a high-volume comprehensive stroke center. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. All admitted adult (≥18 years) patients presenting with an ischemic stroke (IS) from 2010 to 2013 were included in this study. Chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum, Student’s t-tests and Cochran-Armitage trend tests were used to compare groups and analyze data. sICHs were defined by a 4-point increase in NIHSS within 36h with new ICH seen on CT; sICHs were included only if they were directly related to IV-tPA treatment. Favorable mRS outcome was defined as a score ≤2. In-patient stroke alerts were excluded from door-to-needle (DTN) times. RESULTS: 2673 patients were admitted with IS. Of these, 627 (23%) were treated with IV-tPA (90% <3h from symptom onset, 69% at an outside facility). There was a significant increase in the percentage of IS patients treated with IV-tPA over the four years (p-trend=0.02). Compared to patients not receiving IV/IA therapy, patients receiving IV-tPA had significantly higher NIHSS scores, higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, and cardioembolic etiology, and lower proportion of small vessel occlusive IS. The median (IQR) DTN was 41m (32-53). In the 627 IS patients treated with IV-tPA, 11 (1.8%) developed a sICH; in 2013, the sICH rate was 0.6% (1/158). IV-tPA patients who developed a sICH were similar to those who were sICH-free; however, sICH patients had a significantly higher proportion of coronary artery disease (p=0.04) and severe strokes (p=0.19), and higher median symptom to arrival times (237m vs 187m, p=0.19), but similar median DTN (40m vs 41m, p=0.84). The in-hospital mortality rate for the IV-tPA group was 11% (n=71), and 37% had favorable mRS discharge scores. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that expeditious care and careful selection of patients for IV-tPA treatment can lead to very low rates of sICHs. The few sICHs subsequent to IV-tPA are likely to be a consequence of long symptom-to-arrival times and stroke severity.

Abstract WMP65: A Dichotomized Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Score is Correlated With Revascularization Therapy in Acute Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T Richards ◽  
Eddie Markul ◽  
Leslee Stein-Spencer ◽  
Shyam Prabhakaran
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Urban City ◽  
Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Stroke Center

Introduction: Early revascularization improves outcomes in patients with acute stroke, and prehospital identification of patients with large vessel occlusions can result in preferential transport to centers with endovascular capability. Several stroke severity scales have been developed to assist with prehospital triage, but emergency medical services (EMS) provider training on new assessment scales presents challenges. Hypothesis: A dichotomized Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) with a cut-off of 2 correlates with acute stroke revascularization in a large US city. Methods: Patients with confirmed stroke arriving via EMS between August 2012 and April 2014 at a high-volume stroke center in a large urban city with a single municipal EMS provider were identified. Demographics, prehospital CPSS, initial NIH stroke scale score (NIHSS) at hospital arrival, and type of revascularization (intravenous tissue plasminogen activator [IVtPA] or endovascular) were captured. Spearman’s rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U Test were performed after applying skewness/kurtosis tests. The Youden index was used to identify the optimal cut-off for the dichotomized CPSS. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for age, sex, and race determined the odds ratio (OR) for revascularization. Results: A total of 144 patients were included; 51% were male, 57% were white, and 33% were black. The mean age was 68.8 years (SD 16.1). A total of 31 patients (21.5%) underwent revascularization, most often with IVtPA alone (n=30). CPSS was ≥2 in 42% of patients, and the median NIHSS in patients with CPSS <2 vs CPSS ≥2 was 2 vs 8 (p<0.0001). CPSS and NIHSS in patients presenting within 4.5 hours were strongly correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.57, p<0.0001). The optimum CPSS cut-off that predicted revascularization was 2, with a sensitivity of 0.79, specificity of 0.81, and a Youden index of 0.61. CPSS ≥2 was strongly associated with revascularization (adjusted OR 14.5, 95% CI 5.0-42.4). Conclusions: Prehospital dichotomized CPSS with a cut-off of 2 is well correlated with acute stroke revascularization in a large US city. Further studies should investigate how the dichotomized CPSS performs in the prehospital identification of stroke patients with large vessel occlusions.

Abstract TP306: Risk of Stroke After ED Visits at Which No Diagnosis of TIA or Stroke was Recorded

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rosenman ◽  
Elissa Oh ◽  
Christopher T Richards ◽  
Norrina B Allen ◽  
Carmen Capo-Lugo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Diagnostic Codes ◽  
Stroke Disability ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Comprehensive Stroke Center ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Ischemic Attack ◽  
Future Work

Introduction: Unrecognized, high-risk conditions like transient ischemic attack (TIA) are missed opportunities to initiate timely preventive treatment to reduce the risk of subsequent stroke, disability, and death. Up to 50% of patients with a TIA may have a subsequent disabling stroke, many within 30 days. Hypothesis: Among patients with an Emergency Department (ED) visit at which no diagnosis of TIA or stroke was recorded, analysis of electronic health record (EHR) data can help predict risk of subsequent stroke. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of EHR data (2011-2015) from a high-volume comprehensive stroke center with an annual ED volume of >85,000. Patients age 60-89 years who were discharged to home from the ED in <24 hours without ICD-9 diagnosis of TIA or stroke were included for analysis. If patients had >1 qualifying index visit during the study period, we used the first. For each patient we determined presence or absence during the ED visit of a head CT and/or any of these strings in the ED chief complaint (“Symptoms”): slur, speech, aphasia, confuse, word, difficult, comprehen, weak, clumsy, clumsiness, droop, paralysis, move, moving, face, or facial (but not “facial injury”). In four mutually-exclusive categories, CT (Yes/No) by Symptoms (Yes/No), we calculated rate of stroke in the 30, 90, and 365-day periods after discharge from the ED. Ischemic stroke ascertainment was based on diagnostic codes at subsequent ED or hospital visits. Results: Among 40,450 patients, mean age was 69 years, and 59% were women. Race was 57% white, 15% African-American, 23% other, and 4% unknown. Numbers of patients and rates of stroke by category are shown in the table. Conclusion: This simple approach established a clinically meaningful risk gradient across four groups. Present and future work to refine this model may contribute to comparative effectiveness research that evaluates management and triage strategies for patients across the stroke risk spectrum.

scholarly journals Progression of cerebral infarction before and after thrombectomy is modified by prehospital pathways

2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017155
Author(s):  
Alexander M Kollikowski ◽  
Franziska Cattus ◽  
Julia Haag ◽  
Jörn Feick ◽  
Alexander G März ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Large Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Transferred Patients ◽  
Stroke Center

BackgroundEvidence of the consequences of different prehospital pathways before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in large vessel occlusion stroke is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the infarct extent and progression before and after MT in directly admitted (mothership) versus transferred (drip and ship) patients using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS).MethodsASPECTS of 535 consecutive large vessel occlusion stroke patients eligible for MT between 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for differences in the extent of baseline, post-referral, and post-recanalization infarction between the mothership and drip and ship pathways. Time intervals and transport distances of both pathways were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between infarct progression (baseline to post-recanalization ASPECTS decline), patient characteristics, and logistic key figures.ResultsASPECTS declined during transfer (9 (8–10) vs 7 (6-9), p<0.0001), resulting in lower ASPECTS at stroke center presentation (mothership 9 (7–10) vs drip and ship 7 (6–9), p<0.0001) and on follow-up imaging (mothership 7 (4–8) vs drip and ship 6 (3–7), p=0.001) compared with mothership patients. Infarct progression was significantly higher in transferred patients (points lost, mothership 2 (0–3) vs drip and ship 3 (2–6), p<0.0001). After multivariable adjustment, only interfacility transfer, preinterventional clinical stroke severity, the degree of angiographic recanalization, and the duration of the thrombectomy procedure remained predictors of infarct progression (R2=0.209, p<0.0001).ConclusionsInfarct progression and postinterventional infarct extent, as assessed by ASPECTS, varied between the drip and ship and mothership pathway, leading to more pronounced infarction in transferred patients. ASPECTS may serve as a radiological measure to monitor the benefit or harm of different prehospital pathways for MT.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Stroke Admissions, Emergency Department Visits, and Prevention Clinic Referrals

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bres Bullrich ◽  
Sebastian Fridman ◽  
Jennifer L. Mandzia ◽  
Lauren M. Mai ◽  
Alexander Khaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Stroke Unit ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Hospital Policies ◽  
The Government ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Prevention Clinic

Abstract:We assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic on code stroke activations in the emergency department, stroke unit admissions, and referrals to the stroke prevention clinic at London’s regional stroke center, serving a population of 1.8 million in Ontario, Canada. We found a 20% drop in the number of code strokes in 2020 compared to 2019, immediately after the first cases of COVID-19 were officially confirmed. There were no changes in the number of stroke admissions and there was a 22% decrease in the number of clinic referrals, only after the provincial lockdown. Our findings suggest that the decrease in code strokes was mainly driven by patient-related factors such as fear to be exposed to the SARS-CoV-2, while the reduction in clinic referrals was largely explained by hospital policies and the Government lockdown.

scholarly journals Outcome after Stroke upon Awakening

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janel O. Nadeau ◽  
Jiming Fang ◽  
Moira K. Kapral ◽  
Frank L. Silver ◽  
Michael D. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Stroke Impact Scale ◽  
Impact Scale ◽  
Level Of Consciousness ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Ischemic Attack

ABSTRACT:Background:An estimated 20-25% of all strokes occur during sleep and these patients wake up with their deficits. This study evaluated outcomes among patients who woke up with stroke compared to those who were awake at stroke onset.Methods:Using data from the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network Phases 1 and 2, we compared demographics, clinical data and six-month outcomes between patients with stroke-on-awakening versus stroke-while-awake. Strokes of all types (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage) were included. Standard descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression and general linear modeling were applied to the data to compare variables.Results:Among 2,585 stroke patients, 349 (13.5%) woke up with stroke and 2,236 (86.5%) did not. Patients with stroke-on-awakening were more likely to have higher blood pressure and to suffer ischemic stroke, but stroke severity, measured by level of consciousness, did not differ. Mortality both at discharge and at six-month follow-up did not differ between the two cohorts. However, patients with stroke-on-awakening were less likely to return home, and their median Stroke Impact Scale-16 scores were 7.0 points lower compared to those with stroke-while-awake.Conclusions:There are minor demographic and clinical differences between patients with stroke-on-awakening and stroke-while-awake. Functional outcomes are slightly worse among patients with stroke-on-awakening, an effect which was driven by poor outcomes among patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Abstract WP366: Exploring the Association Between Physician Trust and Recurrent Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Venkatesan ◽  
Bernadette Boden-Albala ◽  
Nina Parikh ◽  
Emily Goldmann
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Medication Compliance ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
National Study ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Physician Trust ◽  
Ischemic Attack ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: More positive health behaviors, fewer symptoms, higher quality of life, and greater treatment satisfaction have been reported among those with greater physician trust. This study assessed the relationship between physician trust and recurrent stroke/TIA within 1 year of discharge among stroke survivors in Northern Manhattan. Methods: This study used data from the Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment (SWIFT) study, a randomized controlled trial conducted from 2005-2012 in a multiethnic cohort of 1,193 mild/moderate ischemic stroke and TIA survivors. The goal was to assess the impact of a stroke preparedness educational intervention on emergency department arrival time after subsequent stroke symptom onset. Physician trust, assessed at baseline, was measured with one item: “What percentage of the time do you trust doctors?”. For the analysis, it was dichotomized with the cutoff at 80%. Recurrent stroke/TIA was assessed at 1 month and 1 year. The association between recurrent stroke/TIA and patient trust was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographics and comorbidities. Results: In the analytic sample (n=1108), those who answered both exposure and outcome, the prevalence of recurrent stroke/TIA and lack of physician trust was 10.75% and 36.46%, respectively. Consistent with the literature, Hispanics compared to whites had a higher prevalence of lack of physician trust (42.71% vs. 34.11%, p<0.001). Adjusting for race/ethnicity, intervention status, age, sex, education, marital status, smoking, insurance, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, physical activity, and depression, those who lacked trust had greater odds of recurrent stroke/TIA (OR=1.36, 95% CI:0.86-2.18) than those who had trust. When observing the association among Hispanics and Blacks, those who lacked trust had (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 0.66-2.42) and (OR=1.26, 95% CI: 0.36-4.38) respectively, greater odds of a recurrent episode than those who had trust. Conclusion: Despite insignificant findings, a national study with a greater range of stroke severity and additional measures such as medication compliance may be warranted to provide greater insight on the effects of physician trust on stroke outcomes.

Abstract P685: Primary Care Utilization for Primary Prevention Continues to Be Lacking in Patients With Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J Senetar ◽  
Daniel A Bonnin ◽  
Hannah E Branstetter ◽  
Alexis N Simpkins ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Hemoglobin A1c ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
P Value ◽  
Stroke Severity ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Ischemic Attack

Introduction: Primary care plays an essential role in stroke prevention. Yet still, for many stroke patients, a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) is not established until after stroke. Our goal was to determine if lack of PCP and the consequential differences in management affects stroke severity. Methods: Data was obtained from our Institutional Review Board approved stroke admission database from 2017 to November 2019 of all stroke subtypes (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhages). Non-parametric Mann Whitney t-test and regression analysis was used to identify significant differences in medications, stroke risk factors and stroke severity. Results: A total of 559 patients were included, median age 67 (interquartile range (IQR) 58-76), 49% woman, 32% established care with a PCP, 36% on medications for diabetes mellitus (DM), 42% hyperlipidemia, 66% anti-hypertensives, 39% anti-platelet agents, and 10% anticoagulation. More patients with PCP were taking anti-hypertensive medications (80% versus (vs) 60%, p value < 0.0001), DM medications (56% vs 30%, p value < 0.0001), anti-platelet agents (46% vs 35%, p value = 0.0149), and medications for hyperlipidemia (49% vs 39%, p value = 0.0426). Admission NIHSS was lower in patients with a PCP median 6 (IQR 3-11) vs median 9 (IQR 4 -15), p value= 0.0016, and median hemoglobin A1c was higher in patients with a PCP 8 (IQR 5.7- 9.3) vs patients without a PCP prior to their stroke 6 (IQR 5.4 - 8.5), p value= 0.0002. Admitting systolic blood pressure was similar 155 (137-177) vs 152 (134-171). After correcting for age and gender, regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between whether a patient had PCP and antihypertensive medication use (odds ratio (OR) 2.413, 95% confidence interval 1.511 - 3.914) and hemoglobin A1c (OR 1.122, 95% CI 1.037 - 1.215). Also, patients with a PCP were more likely to have a lower NIHSS on admission (OR 0.9679, 95% CI 0.9423 - 0.9930). Conclusions: These result show that patients not followed by a PCP prior to stroke are less likely to be on medications for primary prevention of stroke, contributing to an increased stroke severity on admission. More research is needed to identify barriers to patients establishing care with PCP.

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