Monitoring Radiation Doses during Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neurointerventional Procedures: Multicenter Study for Establishment of Reference Levels

Purpose: To assess patient radiation doses during diagnostic and therapeutic neurointerventional procedures from multiple centers and propose dose reference level (RL).Materials and Methods: Consecutive neurointerventional procedures, performed in 22 hospitals from December 2020 to June 2021, were retrospectively studied. We collected data from a sample of 429 diagnostic and 731 therapeutic procedures. Parameters including dose-area product (DAP), cumulative air kerma (CAK), fluoroscopic time (FT), and total number of image frames (NI) were obtained. RL were calculated as the 3rd quartiles of the distribution.Results: Analysis of 1160 procedures from 22 hospitals confirmed the large variability in patient dose for similar procedures. RLs in terms of DAP, CAK, FT, and NI were 101.6 Gy·cm², 711.3 mGy, 13.3 minutes, and 637 frames for cerebral angiography, 199.9 Gy·cm², 3,458.7 mGy, 57.3 minutes, and 1,000 frames for aneurysm coiling, 225.1 Gy·cm², 1,590 mGy, 44.7 minutes, and 800 frames for stroke thrombolysis, 412.3 Gy·cm², 4,447.8 mGy, 99.3 minutes, and 1,621.3 frames for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolization, respectively. For all procedures, the results were comparable to most of those already published. Statistical analysis showed male and presence of procedural complications were significant factors in aneurysmal coiling. Male, number of passages, and procedural combined technique were significant factors in stroke thrombolysis. In AVM embolization, a significantly higher radiation dose was found in the definitive endovascular cure group.Conclusion: Various RLs introduced in this study promote the optimization of patient doses in diagnostic and therapeutic interventional neuroradiology procedures. Proposed 3rd quartile DAP (Gy·cm²) values were 101.6 for diagnostic cerebral angiography, 199.9 for aneurysm coiling, 225.1 for stroke thrombolysis, and 412.3 for AVM embolization. Continual evolution of practices and technologies requires regular updates of RLs.

Cost-effectiveness of a quality improvement project, including simulation-based training, on reducing door-to-needle times in stroke thrombolysis

BackgroundRapid revascularisation in acute ischaemic stroke is crucial to reduce its total burden including societal costs. A quality improvement (QI) project that included streamlining the stroke care pathway and simulation-based training was followed by a significant reduction in median door-to-needle time (27 to 13 min) and improved patient outcomes after stroke thrombolysis at our centre. Here, we present a retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis of the QI project.MethodsCosts for implementing and sustaining QI were assessed using recognised frameworks for economic evaluations. Effectiveness was calculated from previously published outcome measures. Cost-effectiveness was presented as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios including costs per minute door-to-needle time reduction per patient, and costs per averted death in the 13-month post-intervention period. We also estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for a projected 5-year post-intervention period and for varying numbers of patients treated with thrombolysis. Furthermore, we performed a sensitivity analysis including and excluding costs of unpaid time.ResultsAll costs including fixed costs for implementing the QI project totalled US$44 802, while monthly costs were US$2141. We calculated a mean reduction in door-to-needle time of 13.1 min per patient and 6.36 annual averted deaths. Across different scenarios, the estimated costs per minute reduction in door-to-needle time per patient ranged from US$13 to US$29, and the estimated costs per averted death ranged from US$4679 to US$10 543.ConclusionsWe have shown that a QI project aiming to improve stroke thrombolysis treatment at our centre can be implemented and sustained at a relatively low cost with increasing cost-effectiveness over time. Our work builds on the emerging theory and practice for economic evaluations in QI projects and simulation-based training. The presented cost-effectiveness data might help guide healthcare leaders planning similar interventions.

MSC 2021 Virtual E-Abstract

1. Hiccups: An Atypical Presentation Of Lateral Medullary Syndrome2. Ouch, We Be Burnin’ Ya: A Case Report On Central Poststroke Pain Syndrome - Dejerine-Roussy Syndrome.3. Stroke Severity, Onset-to-Door Time, Door-to-Needle Time Comparison : Pre & During COVID19 Era In A District Hospital.4. Intravenous Thrombolysis In Acute Stroke In Stroke Ready Hospitals Without Neurologists: Beneficial Effects In Nihss And Mrs Improvements.5. Acute Inspiratory Stridor As An Unusual Presentation Of Brainstem Stroke.6. Overview Of Ischemic Stroke Management Following Stroke Code Activation Pathway At District Hospital.7. Onset To Treatment Time of Ischaemic Stroke Thrombolysis And Functional Outcome In A District Hospital.

MSC 2021 Virtual E-Abstract

1. Factors Influencing The Uptake Of Stroke Thrombolysis In Malaysia: A Case Study From The Healthcare Providers’ Perspective.2. Growth Hormone And Ischemic Stroke: Focus On Growth Hormone Deficiency And Therapeutic Effects Of Growth Hormone On Brain Recovery.3. Predictors Of Post-Thrombolysis Intracerebral Haemorrhage In Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.4. Predictors of Mortality In Thrombolysed Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients of Seberang Jaya Hospital.5. Bilateral Dejerine Syndrome: A Case Report with Diagnostic Dilemma.6. Outcome Of Ischemic Stroke Thrombolysis Treatment In Seberang Jaya Hospital, A Single Center 9 Years Review: 2012-2020.

Switching to Tenecteplase for Stroke Thrombolysis: Real-World Experience and Outcomes in a Regional Stroke Network

Background and Purpose: Due to practical advantages, increasing trial safety data, recent Australian Guideline endorsement and local population needs we switched to tenecteplase for stroke thrombolysis from alteplase. We describe our change process and real-world outcome data. Methods: Mixed-methods including stakeholder engagement, preimplementation and postimplementation surveys, and assessment of patient treatment rates, metrics, and clinical outcomes preimplementation and postimplementation adjusting regression analyses for age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, premorbid modified Rankin Scale score, and thrombectomy using New Zealand National Stroke Registry data. Results: Preswitch consultation involved stroke and emergency clinicians, pharmacists, national regulatory bodies, and hospital legal teams. All survey responders (90% response rate) supported the proposed change and remained satisfied 12 months postimplementation. Between January 2018 and February 2021, we treated 555 patients with alteplase and 283 with tenecteplase. Patients treated with tenecteplase had greater odds of a favorable modified Rankin Scale using both shift (adjusted odds ratio, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.15–2.22]) and dichotomous analyses (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2; adjusted odds ratio, 2.17 [95% CI, 1.31–3.59]) and shorter median (interquartile range) door-to-needle time (median, 53 [38–73.5] versus 61 minutes [45–85], P =0.0002). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates (tenecteplase 1.8% versus 3.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.13–1.64]), death by day 7 (tenecteplase 7.5% versus 11.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.21–0.99]), and median (interquartile range) needle to groin time for the 42 transferred regional patients (tenecteplase 155 [113–248] versus 200 [158–266]; P =0.27) did not significantly differ. Conclusions: Following stakeholder endorsement, a region-wide switch from alteplase to tenecteplase was successfully implemented. We found evidence of benefit and no evidence of harm.

EXPRESS: Cerebral microbleeds development after stroke thrombolysis: A secondary analysis of the THAWS randomized clinical trial

Background and aim: We determined to investigate the incidence and clinical impact of new cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute stroke. Methods: The THAWS was a multicenter, randomized trial to study the efficacy and safety of IVT with alteplase in patients with wake-up stroke or unknown onset stroke. Prescheduled T2*-weighted imaging assessed CMBs at 3-time points: baseline, 22–36 hours, and 7–14 days. Outcomes included new CMBs development, modified Rankin Scale [mRS] ≥3 at 90 days, and change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score from 24 h to 7 days. Results: Of all 131 patients randomized in the THAWS trial, 113 patients (mean 74.3±12.6 years, 50 female, 62 allocated to IVT) were available for analysis. Overall, 46 (41%) had baseline CMBs (15 strictly lobar CMBs, 14 mixed CMBs, and 17 deep CMBs). New CMBs only emerged in the IVT group (7 patients, 11%) within a median of 28.3 h, and did not additionally increase within a median of 7.35 days. In adjusted models, number of CMBs (relative risk [RR]1.30, 95%confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.44), mixed distribution (RR 19.2, 95%CI: 3.94–93.7), and CMBs burden ≥5 (RR 44.9, 95%CI: 5.78–349.8) were associated with new CMBs. New CMBs was associated with an increase in NIHSS score (p=0.023). Treatment with alteplase in patients with baseline ≥5 CMBs resulted in a numerical shift toward worse outcomes on ordinal mRS (median [IQR]; 4 [3–4] vs. 0 [0–3]), compared with those with <5 CMBs (common odds ratio 17.1, 95% CI: 0.76 –382.8). The association of baseline ≥5 CMBs with ordinal mRS score differed according to the treatment group (P interaction=0.042). Conclusion: New CMBs developed within 36 h in 11% of the patients after IVT, and they were significantly associated with mixed-distribution and ≥5 CMBs. New CMBs development might impede neurological improvement. Furthermore, CMBs burden might affect the effect of alteplase.