Clinical Policy: Critical Issues in the Evaluation of Adult Patients With Suspected Transient Ischemic Attack in the Emergency Department

A systematic review and synthesis of global stroke guidelines on behalf of the World Stroke Organization

BACKGROUND

There are multiple stroke guidelines globally. To synthesize these and summarize what existing stroke guidelines recommend about the management of people with stroke, the World Stroke Organization (WSO) Guideline committee, under the auspices of the WSO, reviewed available guidelines.

AIMS

To systematically review the literature to identify stroke guidelines (excluding primary stroke prevention and subarachnoid hemorrhage) since 1 January 2011, evaluate quality (The international Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE II)), tabulate strong recommendations, and judge applicability according to stroke care available (minimal, essential, advanced).

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

Searches identified 15,400 titles; 911 texts were retrieved, 200 publications scrutinized by the three subgroups (acute, secondary prevention, rehabilitation), and recommendations extracted from most recent version of relevant guidelines. For acute treatment, there were more guidelines about ischemic stroke than intracerebral hemorrhage; recommendations addressed pre-hospital, emergency, and acute hospital care. Strong recommendations were made for reperfusion therapies for acute ischemic stroke. For secondary prevention, strong recommendations included establishing etiological diagnosis; management of hypertension, weight, diabetes, lipids, and lifestyle modification; and for ischemic stroke, management of atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, left ventricular and atrial thrombi, patent foramen ovale, atherosclerotic extracranial large vessel disease, intracranial atherosclerotic disease, and antithrombotics in non-cardioembolic stroke. For rehabilitation, there were strong recommendations for organized stroke unit care, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, task-specific training, fitness training, and specific interventions for post-stroke impairments. Most recommendations were from high-income countries, and most did not consider comorbidity, resource implications, and implementation. Patient and public involvement was limited.

CONCLUSION

The review identified a number of areas of stroke care where there was strong consensus. However, there was extensive repetition and redundancy in guideline recommendations. Future guideline groups should consider closer collaboration to improve efficiency, include more people with lived experience in the development process, consider comorbidity, and advise on implementation.

Diagnosis, Workup, Risk Reduction of Transient Ischemic Attack in the Emergency Department Setting: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

At least 240 000 individuals experience a transient ischemic attack each year in the United States. Transient ischemic attack is a strong predictor of subsequent stroke. The 90-day stroke risk after transient ischemic attack can be as high as 17.8%, with almost half occurring within 2 days of the index event. Diagnosing transient ischemic attack can also be challenging given the transitory nature of symptoms, often reassuring neurological examination at the time of evaluation, and lack of confirmatory testing. Limited resources, such as imaging availability and access to specialists, can further exacerbate this challenge. This scientific statement focuses on the correct clinical diagnosis, risk assessment, and management decisions of patients with suspected transient ischemic attack. Identification of high-risk patients can be achieved through use of comprehensive protocols incorporating acute phase imaging of both the brain and cerebral vasculature, thoughtful use of risk stratification scales, and ancillary testing with the ultimate goal of determining who can be safely discharged home from the emergency department versus admitted to the hospital. We discuss various methods for rapid yet comprehensive evaluations, keeping resource-limited sites in mind. In addition, we discuss strategies for secondary prevention of future cerebrovascular events using maximal medical therapy and patient education.

Diagnostic accuracy of the physical examination in emergency department patients with acute vertigo or dizziness: A systematic review and meta-analysis for GRACE-3

BACKGROUND

History and physical examination are key features to narrow the differential diagnosis of central versus peripheral causes in patients presenting with acute vertigo. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy of physical examination findings.

METHODS

This study involved a patient-intervention-control-outcome (PICO) question: (P) adult ED patients with vertigo/dizziness; (I) presence/absence of specific physical examination findings; and (O) central (ischemic stroke, hemorrhage, others) versus peripheral etiology. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) was assessed.

RESULTS

From 6309 titles, 460 articles were retrieved, and 43 met the inclusion criteria: general neurologic examination-five studies, 869 patients, pooled sensitivity 46.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.3%-61.9%, moderate certainty) and specificity 92.8% (95% CI 75.7%-98.1%, low certainty); limb weakness/hemiparesis-four studies, 893 patients, sensitivity 11.4% (95% CI 5.1%-23.6%, high) and specificity 98.5% (95% CI 97.1%-99.2%, high); truncal/gait ataxia-10 studies, 1810 patients (increasing severity of truncal ataxia had an increasing sensitivity for central etiology, sensitivity 69.7% [43.3%-87.9%, low] and specificity 83.7% [95% CI 52.1%-96.0%, low]); dysmetria signs-four studies, 1135 patients, sensitivity 24.6% (95% CI 15.6%-36.5%, high) and specificity 97.8% (94.4%-99.2%, high); head impulse test (HIT)-17 studies, 1366 patients, sensitivity 76.8% (64.4%-85.8%, low) and specificity 89.1% (95% CI 75.8%-95.6%, moderate); spontaneous nystagmus-six studies, 621 patients, sensitivity 52.3% (29.8%-74.0%, moderate) and specificity 42.0% (95% CI 15.5%-74.1%, moderate); nystagmus type-16 studies, 1366 patients (bidirectional, vertical, direction changing, or pure torsional nystagmus are consistent with a central cause of vertigo, sensitivity 50.7% [95% CI 41.1%-60.2%, moderate] and specificity 98.5% [95% CI 91.7%-99.7%, moderate]); test of skew-15 studies, 1150 patients (skew deviation is abnormal and consistent with central etiology, sensitivity was 23.7% [95% CI 15%-35.4%, moderate] and specificity 97.6% [95% CI 96%-98.6%, moderate]); HINTS (head impulse, nystagmus, test of skew)-14 studies, 1781 patients, sensitivity 92.9% (95% CI 79.1%-97.9%, high) and specificity 83.4% (95% CI 69.6%-91.7%, moderate); and HINTS+ (HINTS with hearing component)-five studies, 342 patients, sensitivity 99.0% (95% CI 73.6%-100%, high) and specificity 84.8% (95% CI 70.1%-93.0%, high).

CONCLUSIONS

Most neurologic examination findings have low sensitivity and high specificity for a central cause in patients with acute vertigo or dizziness. In acute vestibular syndrome (monophasic, continuous, persistent dizziness), HINTS and HINTS+ have high sensitivity when performed by trained clinicians.

The Man Who Mistook a Hat for His Wife: Case Report of Aortic Dissection Presenting with Acute Hyperfamiliarity for Faces

Acute aortic dissection is a challenging diagnosis for emergency physicians because of its high mortality and wide range of clinical presentations. We report a case of a previously healthy man who presented with hyperfamiliarity for faces syndrome as the predominant symptom of a large type A aortic dissection diagnosed by computed tomography angiography in the emergency department. Different elements of his presentation suggested possible other diagnoses, including transient global amnesia and transient ischemic attack. We discuss how evaluating these other diagnostic possibilities led to the correct diagnosis. Given increasing reports of painless aortic dissection, this case demonstrates the need to consider aortic dissection in patients with acute neurological symptoms.

Lost to Follow-Up: A Nationwide Analysis of Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack Discharged From Emergency Departments With Incomplete Imaging

PURPOSE

Imaging guidelines for transient ischemic attack (TIA) recommend that patients undergo urgent brain and neurovascular imaging within 48 hours of symptom onset. Prior research suggests that most patients with TIA discharged from the emergency department (ED) do not complete recommended TIA imaging workup during their ED encounters. The purpose of this study was to determine the nationwide percentage of patients with TIA discharged from EDs with incomplete imaging workup who complete recommended imaging after discharge.

METHODS

Patients discharged from EDs with the diagnosis of TIA were identified from the Medicare 5% sample for 2017 and 2018 using International Classification of Diseases, tenth rev, Clinical Modification codes. Imaging performed was identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Incomplete imaging workup was defined as a TIA encounter without cross-sectional brain, brain-vascular, and neck-vascular imaging performed within the subsequent 30 days of the initial ED encounter. Patient- and hospital-level factors associated with incomplete TIA imaging were analyzed in a multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 6,346 consecutive TIA encounters were analyzed; 3,804 patients (59.9%) had complete TIA imaging workup during their ED encounters. Of the 2,542 patients discharged from EDs with incomplete imaging, 761 (29.9%) completed imaging during the subsequent 30 days after ED discharge. Among patients with TIA imaging workup completed after ED discharge, the median time to completion was 5 days. For patients discharged from EDs with incomplete imaging, the odds of incomplete TIA imaging at 30 days after discharge were highest for black (odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-2.66) and older (≥85 years of age; odds ratio, 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.78-3.26) patients. Reference values were age cohort 65 to 69 years; male gender; white race; no co-occurring diagnoses of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes mellitus; household income > $63,029; hospital in the Northeast region; urban hospital location; hospital size > 400 beds; academically affiliated hospital; and facility with access to MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients discharged from EDs with incomplete TIA imaging workup do not complete recommended imaging within 30 days after discharge.

Stroke Risk in Patients with Suspected Transient Ischemic Attacks with Focal and Nonfocal Symptoms: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to investigate triage methods for suspected transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) with focal or nonfocal symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 350 patients with suspected TIAs were enrolled and followed for one year. Potential high-risk factors for TIAs, such as atrial fibrillation, carotid artery stenosis, crescendo TIA, and ABCD2 score ≥ 4, were evaluated. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the initial neurological symptoms: focal, nonfocal, and mixed (both focal and nonfocal) groups. Stroke-free survival rates were compared via Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) was performed for 89.8% of the patients within 7 days, and the frequency of acute brain infarction on DWI was significantly lower in the nonfocal group (focal, 24.1%; nonfocal, 7.2%; mixed, 22.2%; P < .01). There was no significant difference in the one-year event-free survival rates across the groups. Significantly higher stroke risk was observed in patients with one or more high-risk categories or the ABCD2 score (≥ 4) in the focal group (P = .021 and .26, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in the other groups. Across all symptom groups, significantly higher stroke risk was observed in patients showing acute infarcts on DWI evaluated within 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Both high-risk categorization (≥ 1 potential high-risk factors) and ABCD2 score (≥ 4) alone were useful tools for identifying higher stroke risk in patients with focal symptom but not with nonfocal symptoms in isolation. Further studies are warranted in triage methods for TIA with nonfocal in isolation in conjunction with DWI.

Redundant Imaging in Transient Ischemic Attack: Evidence From the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample

PURPOSE

Increasing emergency department (ED) compliance with transient ischemic attack (TIA) imaging guidelines has previously been demonstrated, along with a substantial rise in imaging utilization over the past decade. The purpose of this study was to characterize the most commonly used combinations of imaging studies during ED workup of TIA and to quantify prevalence of redundant imaging (RI).

METHODS

TIA discharges from EDs in the United States from 2006 to 2017 were identified in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Brain and neurovascular imaging obtained during the encounter was identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. RI was defined as an ED encounter with any duplicate cross-sectional brain, brain-vascular, or neck-vascular imaging. Patient demographics and hospital characteristics were incorporated into a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify significant associations with RI.

RESULTS

There were 184,870 discharges with TIA from EDs in 2017. RI (brain) was observed in 55,513 (30%) of encounters. RI (brain-vascular) and RI (neck-vascular) imaging was identified in 5,149 (2.8%) and 1,325 (0.7%) of encounters, respectively. Decreased odds of obtaining RI was observed in Medicaid patients(odds ratio [OR: 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-0.81), non-trauma centers(OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.93), rural hospital locations(OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.11-0.29), and weekend encounters(OR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.85-0.96). Trend analysis from 2006 to 2017 demonstrated a rise in RI (brain) from 2.3% of encounters in 2006 to 30% of encounters in 2017. RI for patients discharged from EDs with TIA in 2017 resulted in additional charges of approximately US $8,670,832.

CONCLUSION

Increased imaging utilization for TIA workup across EDs in the United States is associated with rising use of redundant imaging. We identify imaging practices that could be targeted to mitigate health care expenditures, while adhering to TIA imaging guidelines.

Novel Treatments for Transient Ischemic Attack and Acute Ischemic Stroke

The treatment of acute ischemic stroke is one of the most rapidly evolving areas in medicine. Like all ischemic vascular emergencies, the priority is reperfusion before irreversible infarction. The central nervous system is sensitive to brief periods of hypoperfusion, making stroke a golden hour diagnosis. Although the phrase "time is brain" is relevant today, emerging treatment strategies use more specific markers for consideration of reperfusion than time alone. Innovations in early stroke detection and individualized patient selection for reperfusion therapies have equipped the emergency medicine clinician with more opportunities to help stroke patients and minimize the impact of this disease.

Protocolized emergency department observation care improves quality of ischemic stroke care in Haiti

INTRODUCTION

In many low-income countries, Emergency Medicine is underdeveloped and faces many operational challenges including emergency department (ED) overcrowding and prolonged patient length of stays (LOS). In high-resource settings, protocolized ED observation unit (EDOU) care reduces LOS while preserving care quality. EDOUs are untested in low-income countries. We evaluate the effect protocolized EDOU care for ischemic stroke on the quality and efficiency of care in Haiti.

METHODS

We performed a prospective cohort study of protocolized observation care for ischemic stroke at a Haitian academic hospital between January 2014 and September 2015. We compared patients cared for in the EDOU using the ischemic stroke protocol (study group) to eligible patients cared for before protocol implementation (baseline group), as well as to eligible patients treated after protocol introduction but managed without the EDOU protocol (contemporary reference group). We analysed three quality of care measures: aspirin administration, physical therapy consultation, and swallow evaluation. We also analysed ED and hospital LOS as measures of efficiency.

RESULTS

Patients receiving protocolized EDOU care achieved higher care quality compared to the baseline group, with higher rates of aspirin administration (91% v. 17%, p < 0.001), physical therapy consultation (50% v. 9.6%, p < 0.001), and swallow evaluation (36% v. 3.7%, p < 0.001). We observed similar improvements in the study group compared to the contemporary reference group. Most patients (92%) were managed entirely in the ED or EDOU. LOS for non-admitted patients was longer in the study group than the baseline group (28 v. 19 h, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Protocolized EDOU care for patients with ischemic stroke in Haiti improved performance on key quality measures but increased LOS, likely due to more interventions. Future studies should examine the aspects of EDOU care are most effective at promoting higher care quality, and if similar results are achievable in patients with other conditions.

Compliance With Imaging Guidelines for Workup of Transient Ischemic Attack

Background and Purpose:

Multiple societal guidelines recommend urgent brain and neurovascular imaging in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) to identify and treat risk factors that may lead to future stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether national imaging utilization for workup of TIA complies with society guidelines.

Methods:

Analysis utilized the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Primary analysis was performed on a 2017 cohort, and secondary trend analysis was performed on cohorts from 2006 to2017. Patients diagnosed and discharged from emergency departments with TIA were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision codes. Brain and neurovascular imaging obtained during the encounter was identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Demographics, health insurance, patient income, and hospital-type covariates were analyzed using a hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of obtaining neurovascular imaging during an emergency department encounter.

Results:

In 2017, there were 167 999 patients evaluated and discharged from emergency departments with TIA. The percentage of patients receiving brain and neurovascular imaging was 78.5% and 43.2%, respectively. The most common imaging workup utilized was a solitary computed tomography–brain without any neurovascular imaging (30.9% of encounters). Decreased odds of obtaining neurovascular imaging was observed in Medicaid patients (odds ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.58–0.74]), rural hospitals (odds ratio, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.17–0.41]), nontrauma centers (odds ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.21–0.74]), and weekend encounters (odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.85–0.96]). Trend analysis demonstrated a steady rise in brain and neurovascular imaging in 2006 from 34.9% and 6.8% of encounters, respectively, to 78.5% and 43.2% of encounters in 2017.

Conclusions:

Compliance with imaging guidelines is improving; however, the majority of TIA patients discharged from the emergency department do not receive recommended neurovascular imaging during their encounter. Follow-up studies are needed to determine whether delayed or incomplete vascular screening increases the risk of future stroke.

High-Risk Chief Complaints III: Neurologic Emergencies

A careful history and thorough physical examination are necessary in patients presenting with acute neurologic dysfunction. Patients presenting with headache should be screened for red-flag criteria that suggest a dangerous secondary cause warranting imaging and further diagnostic workup. Dizziness is a vague complaint; focusing on timing, triggers, and examination findings can help reduce diagnostic error. Most patients presenting with back pain do not require emergent imaging, but those with new neurologic deficits or signs/symptoms concerning for acute infection or cord compression warrant MRI. Delay to diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke is a frequent reason for medical malpractice claims.

The Case for Observation Medicine Education and Training in Emergency Medicine

BACKGROUND

Many hospitals have or will be opening an observation unit (OU), the majority managed by the emergency department (ED). Graduating emergency medicine (EM) residents will be expected to have the knowledge and skills necessary to appropriately identify and manage patients in this setting. Our objective is to examine the current state of observation medicine (OM) education and prevalence in EM training.

METHODS

In a follow-up to the 2019 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) OM Interest Group meeting, we convened an expert panel of OM physicians who are members of both the SAEM OM Interest Group and the American College of Emergency Physicians Section of OM. The panel of six emergency physicians representing geographic diversity was formed. A structured literature review was performed yielding 16 educational publications and sources pertaining to OM education and training across all specialties.

REPORT ON THE EXISTING LITERATURE

Only a small number of EM residencies have a required or elective OM rotation in an OU. An OM rotation in a protocol-driven ED OU gives residents experience managing patients in this setting and improves skills integral to EM and part of the EM milestones and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies: reassessment, disposition decision making, risk stratification, team management, and practicing cost-appropriate care. Even without a formal rotation, multiple OM educational resources can be incorporated into EM resident education and didactics. Education research opportunity exists.

CONCLUSIONS

This panel believes that OM is an important component of EM that should be incorporated into EM residency as the knowledge and skills learned such as risk stratification, disposition decision making, and team management augment those needed for the practice of EM. There is a distinct opportunity for EM educators to better equip their trainees for a career in EM by including OM education and experience in EM residency training.

Early Management of Transient Ischemic Attack in Emergency Departments in France

INTRODUCTION

Emergency departments play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of transient ischemic attacks, but limited data are available about the early management of such patients in emergency wards. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate emergency physicians' management of transient ischemic attack and analyze variations factors.

METHODS

A multicenter survey among emergency physicians of the Grand Est region network (Est-RESCUE) was conducted from January 28th to March 28th, 2019. Medical and administrative data were collected by the same network and the national directory of medical resources.

RESULTS

Among 542 emergency physicians recipients, 78 answered (14%) and 71 were finally included, practicing in 25 public hospitals homogeneously distributed across the territory, including 3 university hospitals. A cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was obtained for 75%-100% of patients by 4.3% of responders, 36.4% of which were performed within more than 24 hours. A cardiac monitoring was prescribed in 75%-100% of cases by 32.4% of responders. A neurologic consultation was routinely requested by 84.6% of responders practicing in a university hospital and 36.8% of responders practicing in a community hospital (P = .02). Patients were hospitalized in a neurovascular unit in 75%-100% of cases by 17.4% of responders, which happened more likely in university hospitals (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Transient ischemic attack suffers from management disparities across territories, due to limited access to technical facilities and neurologic consultations. Therefore, international recommendations are too often not followed. Implementation of territorial neurovascular tracks may help to standardize the management of these patients.

Safety and Feasibility of a Rapid Outpatient Management Strategy for Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke: The Rapid Access Vascular Evaluation-Neurology (RAVEN) Approach

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Although most transient ischemic attack and minor stroke patients in US emergency departments (EDs) are admitted, experience in other countries suggests that timely outpatient evaluation of transient ischemic attack and minor stroke can be safe. We assess the feasibility and safety of a rapid outpatient stroke clinic for transient ischemic attack and minor stroke: Rapid Access Vascular Evaluation-Neurology (RAVEN).

METHODS

Transient ischemic attack and minor stroke patients presenting to the ED with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 5 or less and nondisabling deficit were assessed for potential discharge to RAVEN with a protocol incorporating social and medical criteria. Outpatient evaluation by a vascular neurologist, including vessel imaging, was performed within 24 hours at the RAVEN clinic. Participants were evaluated for compliance with clinic attendance and 90-day recurrent transient ischemic attack and minor stroke and hospitalization rates.

RESULTS

Between December 2016 and June 2018, 162 transient ischemic attack and minor stroke patients were discharged to RAVEN. One hundred fifty-four patients (95.1%) appeared as scheduled and 101 (66%) had a final diagnosis of transient ischemic attack and minor stroke. Two patients (1.3%) required hospitalization (one for worsening symptoms and another for intracranial arterial stenosis caused by zoster) at RAVEN evaluation. Among the 101 patients with confirmed transient ischemic attack and minor stroke, 18 (19.1%) had returned to an ED or been admitted at 90 days. Five were noted to have had recurrent neurologic symptoms diagnosed as transient ischemic attack (4.9%), whereas one had a recurrent stroke (0.9%). No individuals with transient ischemic attack and minor stroke died, and none received thrombolytics or thrombectomy, during the interval period. These 90-day outcomes were similar to historical published data on transient ischemic attack and minor stroke.

CONCLUSION

Rapid outpatient management appears a feasible and safe strategy for transient ischemic attack and minor stroke patients evaluated in the ED, with recurrent stroke and transient ischemic attack rates comparable to historical published data.

Can I Send This Patient with Stroke Home? Strategies Managing Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

While transient ischemic attack and minor stroke (TIAMS) are common conditions evaluated in the emergency department (ED), there is controversy regarding the most effective and efficient strategies for managing them in the ED. Some patients are discharged after evaluation in the ED and cared for in the outpatient setting, while others remain in an observation unit without being admitted or discharged, and others experience prolonged and potentially costly inpatient admissions.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW

The goal of this clinical review was to summarize and present recommendations regarding the disposition of TIAMS patients in the ED (e.g., admission vs. discharge).

DISCUSSION

An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 TIA events occur each year in the United States, with an estimated near-term risk of subsequent stroke ranging from 3.5% to 10% at 2 days, rising to 17% by 90 days. While popular and easy to use, reliance solely on risk-stratification tools, such as the ABCD2, should not be used to determine whether TIAMS patients can be discharged safely. Additional vascular imaging and advanced brain imaging may improve prediction of short-term neurologic risk. We also review various disposition strategies (e.g., inpatient vs. outpatient/ED observation units) with regard to their association with neurologic outcomes, such as 30-day or 90-day stroke recurrence or new stroke, in addition to other outcomes, such as hospital length of stay and health care costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Discharge from the ED for rapid outpatient follow-up may be a safe and effective strategy for some forms of minor stroke without disabling deficit and TIA patients after careful evaluation and initial ED workup. Future research on such strategies has the potential to improve neurologic and overall patient outcomes and reduce hospital costs and ED length of stay.

Implementation of a Rapid, Protocol-based TIA Management Pathway

INTRODUCTION

Our goal was to assess whether use of a standardized clinical protocol improves efficiency for patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

We performed a structured, retrospective, cohort study at a large, urban, tertiary care academic center. In July 2012 this hospital implemented a standardized protocol for patients with suspected TIA. The protocol selected high-risk patients for admission and low/intermediate-risk patients to an ED observation unit for workup. Recommended workup included brain imaging, vascular imaging, cardiac monitoring, and observation. Patients were included if clinical providers determined the need for workup for TIA. We included consecutive patients presenting during a six-month period prior to protocol implementation, and those presenting between 6-12 months after implementation. Outcomes included ED length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, use of neuroimaging, and 90-day risk of stroke or TIA.

RESULTS

From 01/2012 to 06/2012, 130 patients were evaluated for TIA symptoms in the ED, and from 01/2013 to 06/2013, 150 patients. The final diagnosis was TIA or stroke in 45% before vs. 41% after (p=0.18). Following the intervention, the inpatient admission rate decreased from 62% to 24% (p<0.001), median ED LOS decreased by 1.2 hours (5.7 to 4.9 hours, p=0.027), and median total hospital LOS from 29.4 hours to 23.1 hours (p=0.019). The proportion of patients receiving head computed tomography (CT) went from 68% to 58% (p=0.087); brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging from 83% to 88%, (p=0.44) neck CT angiography from 32% to 22% (p=0.039); and neck MR angiography from 61% to 72% (p=0.046). Ninety-day stroke or recurrent TIA among those with final diagnosis of TIA was 3% for both periods.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a TIA protocol significantly reduced ED LOS and total hospital LOS.

Care of Neurologic Conditions in an Observation Unit

As a group, neurologic conditions represent a substantial portion of emergency department (ED) visits. Cerebrovascular disease, headache, vertigo and seizures are all common reasons for patients to seek care in the ED. Patients being treated for each of these conditions are amenable to care in an ED observation unit (EDOU) if they require further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions beyond their ED stay. EDOUs are the ideal setting for patients who require advanced imaging such as MRIs, frequent neuro checks or specialist consultation in order to determine if they require admission or can be discharged home.