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Patel MD, Chari SV, Cui ER, Fernandez AR, Planey AM, Jauch EC, Winslow JE. Rural-urban differences in emergency medical services bypass routing of stroke in North Carolina. J Rural Health 2024. [PMID: 39054674 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute stroke is a serious, time-sensitive condition requiring immediate medical attention. Emergency medical services (EMS) routing and direct transport of acute stroke patients to stroke centers improves timely access to care. This study aimed to describe EMS stroke routing and transports by rurality in North Carolina (NC). METHODS We conducted a retrospective study using existing data on EMS transports of suspected stroke patients in NC in 2019. The primary study outcome was EMS bypass of the nearest hospital for transport to a nonnearest hospital, determined by geographic information systems (GIS) analysis. Incident addresses were geocoded to census tracts and classified as urban, suburban, or rural by Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes. We compared the frequency of bypass and estimated additional transport times by urban, suburban, and rural incident locations. FINDINGS Of 3666 patients, 1884 (51%) EMS transports bypassed the nearest hospital. Bypass occurred less often for rural EMS incidents (39%) compared to those in urban (57%) and suburban (63%) tracts. The estimated additional transport time for rural bypasses of nonendovascular-capable stroke centers for endovascular-capable stroke centers was a median of 25 min (interquartile range 13-33). CONCLUSIONS Using GIS analysis, we found nearly half of EMS transports of suspected stroke patients in NC bypassed the nearest hospital, including noncertified hospitals and stroke centers. Bypasses occurred less often in rural areas, though incurred significantly longer transport times, compared to urban areas. These findings are important for regional stroke system planning, especially for improving rural access to acute stroke care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehul D Patel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Srihari V Chari
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric R Cui
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Arrianna Marie Planey
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Edward C Jauch
- Department of Research, University of North Carolina Health Sciences at Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - James E Winslow
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Tariq MB, Ali I, Salazar-Marioni S, Iyyangar AS, Azeem HM, Khose S, Lopez V, Abdelkhaleq R, McCullough LD, Sheth SA, Kim Y. Women With Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke Are Less Likely to Be Routed to Comprehensive Stroke Centers. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e029830. [PMID: 37462071 PMCID: PMC10382091 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.029830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Prehospital routing of patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic stroke (AIS) to centers capable of performing endovascular therapy may improve clinical outcomes. Here, we explore whether distance to comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs), stroke severity, and sex are associated with direct-to-CSC prehospital routing in patients with LVO AIS. Methods and Results In this cross-sectional study, we identified consecutive patients with LVO AIS from a prospectively collected multihospital registry throughout the greater Houston area from January 2019 to June 2020. Primary outcome was prehospital routing to CSC and was compared between men and women using modified Poisson regression including age, sex, race or ethnicity, first in-hospital National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, travel time, and distances to the closest primary stroke center and CSC. Among 503 patients with LVO AIS, 413 (82%) were routed to CSCs, and women comprised 46% of the study participants. Women with LVO AIS compared with men were older (73 versus 65, P<0.01) and presented with greater National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (14 versus 12, P=0.01). In modified Poisson regression, women were 9% less likely to be routed to CSCs compared with men (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.91 [0.84-0.99], P=0.024) and distance to nearest CSC ≤10 miles was associated with 38% increased chance of routing to CSC (aRR, 1.38 [1.26-1.52], P<0.001). Conclusions Despite presenting with more significant stroke syndromes and living within comparable distance to CSCs, women with LVO AIS were less likely to be routed to CSCs compared with men. Further study of the mechanisms behind this disparity is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Bilal Tariq
- Department of Neurology UTHealth McGovern Medical School Houston TX
- Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center Houston TX
| | - Iman Ali
- Department of Neurology UTHealth McGovern Medical School Houston TX
| | | | | | - Hussain M Azeem
- Department of Neurology UTHealth McGovern Medical School Houston TX
| | - Swapnil Khose
- Department of Neurology UTHealth McGovern Medical School Houston TX
- Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center Houston TX
| | - Victor Lopez
- Department of Neurosurgery Boston Medical Center Boston MA
| | | | - Louise D McCullough
- Department of Neurology UTHealth McGovern Medical School Houston TX
- Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center Houston TX
| | - Sunil A Sheth
- Department of Neurology UTHealth McGovern Medical School Houston TX
- Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center Houston TX
| | - Youngran Kim
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health UTHealth School of Public Health Houston TX
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Pajor MJ, Adeoye OM. Evolving Stroke Systems of Care: Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment in the Post-Thrombectomy Era. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:655-663. [PMID: 36977818 PMCID: PMC10047478 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombectomy became the gold-standard treatment of acute ischemic stroke caused by large-vessel occlusions (LVO) in 2015 after five clinical trials published that year demonstrated significantly improved patient outcomes. In subsequent years, advances in stroke systems of care have centered around improving access to and expanding patient eligibility for thrombectomy. The prehospital and acute stroke treatment settings have had the greatest emphasis. Numerous prehospital stroke scales now provide emergency medical services with focused physical exams to identify LVOs, and many devices to non-invasively detect LVO are undergoing clinical testing. Mobile stroke units deployed throughout Western Europe and the USA also show promising results by bringing elements of acute stroke care directly to the patient. Numerous clinical trials since 2015 have aimed to increase candidates for thrombectomy by expanding indications and the eligibility time window. Further optimizations of thrombectomy treatment have focused on the role of thrombolytics and other adjunctive therapies that may promote neuroprotection and neurorecovery. While many of these approaches require further clinical investigation, the next decade shows significant potential for further advances in stroke care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Pajor
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Campus Box 8072, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Opeolu M. Adeoye
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Campus Box 8072, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
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4
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Olivé-Gadea M, Pérez de la Ossa N, Jovin T, Abilleira S, Jiménez X, Cardona P, Chamorro A, Flores A, Silva Y, Purroy F, Martí-Fabregas J, Rodríguez-Campello A, Zaragoza J, Krupinski J, Canovas D, Gomez Choco M, Mas N, Palomeras E, Cocho D, Aragonès JM, Repullo C, Sanjurjo E, Carrion D, Catena E, Costa X, Almendros MC, Barceló M, Monedero J, Rybyeva M, Diaz G, Ribó M. Evolution of quality indicators in acute stroke during the RACECAT Trial: Impact in the general population. Int J Stroke 2023; 18:229-236. [PMID: 35373657 DOI: 10.1177/17474930221093523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute ischemic stroke patients not referred directly to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) have reduced access to endovascular treatment (EVT). The RACECAT trial is a population-based cluster-randomized trial, designed to compare mothership and drip-and-ship strategies in acute ischemic stroke patients outside the catchment area of a CSC. AIMS To analyze the evolution of performance indicators in the regions that participated in RACECAT. METHODS This retrospective longitudinal observational study included all stroke alerts evaluated by emergency medical services in Catalonia between February 2016 and February 2020. Cases were classified geographically according to the nearest SC: local SC (Local-SC) and CSC catchment areas. We analyzed the evolution of EVT rates and relevant workflow times in Local-SC versus CSC catchment areas over three study periods: P1 (February 2016 to April 2017: before RACECAT initiation), P2 (May 2017 to September 2018), and P3 (October 2018 to February 2020). RESULTS We included 20603 stroke alerts, 10,694 (51.9%) of which were activated within Local-SC catchment areas. The proportion of patients receiving EVT within Local-SC catchment areas increased (P1 vs. P3: 7.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.4-8.7) to 22.5% (95% CI, 20.8-24.4) p < 0.001). Inequalities in the odds of receiving EVT were reduced for patients from CSC versus Local-SC catchment areas (P1: odds ratio (OR) 3.9 (95% CI, 3.2-5) vs. P3: OR 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3-1.7) In Local-SC, door-to-image (P1: 24 (interquartile range (IQR) 15-36), P2: 24 (15-35), P3: 21 (13-32) min, p < 0.001) and door-to-needle times (P1: 42 (31-60), P2: 41 (29-58), P3: 35 (25-50) p < 0.001) reduced. Time from Local-SC arrival to groin puncture also decreased over time (P1: 188 [151-229], P2: 190 (157-233), P3: 168 (127-215) min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION An increase in EVT rates in Local-SC regions with a significant decrease in workflow times occurred during the period of the RACECAT trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Olivé-Gadea
- Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Tudor Jovin
- Neurology Department, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Sonia Abilleira
- Stroke Program, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Jiménez
- Emergency Medical Services of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Cardona
- Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alan Flores
- Stroke Unit, Hospital Joan XIII, Tarragona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Josep Zaragoza
- Neurology Department, Hospital Verge de la Cinta, Tortosa, Spain
| | - Jerzy Krupinski
- Neurology Department, Hospital Mútua Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - David Canovas
- Neurology Department, Hospital Parc Tauli, Sabadell, Spain
| | | | - Natalia Mas
- Neurology Department, Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària, Manresa, Spain
| | | | - Dolores Cocho
- Neurology Department, Hospital General de Granollers, Granollers, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Repullo
- Neurology Department, Fundació Sant Hospital, La Seu d'Urgell, Spain
| | - Eduard Sanjurjo
- Neurology Department, Hospital Comarcal del Pallars, Tremp, Spain
| | - Dolores Carrion
- Emergency Department, Hospital de Móra d'Ebre, Móra d'Ebre, Spain
| | - Esther Catena
- Neurology Department, Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedès-Garraf, Spain
| | - Xavier Costa
- Emergency Department, Hospital de Figueres, Figueres, Spain
| | | | - Miquel Barceló
- Emergency Department, Hospital de Cerdanya, Puigcerdà, Spain
| | | | | | - Gloria Diaz
- Emergency Department, Hospital de Campdevànol, Campdevànol, Spain
| | - Marc Ribó
- Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Melaika K, Sveikata L, Vilionskis A, Wiśniewski A, Jurjans K, Klimašauskas A, Jatužis D, Masiliūnas R. Prehospital Stroke Care, Paramedic Training Needs, and Hospital-Directed Feedback in Lithuania. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10101958. [PMID: 36292405 PMCID: PMC9601945 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10101958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) are the first health care contact for the majority of stroke patients. However, there is a lack of data on the current paramedics’ hospital-directed feedback and training needs across different health care settings. We aimed to evaluate paramedics’ prehospital stroke care knowledge, training needs, and current status of feedback on suspected stroke patients. Methods: We surveyed paramedics from the Vilnius region from September to November 2019 and compared the answers between the city and the district agencies. The questionnaire content included questions on paramedics’ demographic characteristics, prehospital stroke care self-assessment, knowledge on stroke mimics, stroke training needs, and the importance of hospital-directed feedback on suspected stroke patients. Results: A total number of 161 paramedics (or 49.4% of all paramedics from our stroke care network) were surveyed, with more district paramedics rating their prehospital stroke care knowledge as inadequate (44.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 32.8−57.6) vs. 28.1% (95% CI 20.1−27.8), p = 0.028). In addition, more district paramedics indicated a need for additional stroke training (83.1% (95% CI 71.5−90.5) vs. 69.8% (60.0−78.1), p = 0.043). However, respondents reported being the most confident while dealing with stroke (71.3%, 95% CI 63.8−77.7) compared to other time-critical conditions (p < 0.001). Vertigo (60.8%, 95% CI 53.0−68.0), brain tumors (56.3%, 95% CI 48.5−63.8), and seizures (54.4%, 95% CI 46.7−62.0) were indicated as the most common stroke mimics. Only 6.2% (95% CI 3.4−11.1) of respondents received formal feedback on the outcome of suspected stroke patients brought to the emergency department. Conclusions: A high proportion of paramedics self-perceive having inadequate stroke knowledge and an urgent need for further stroke training. The EMS staff indicate receiving insufficient feedback on suspected stroke patients, even though its usefulness is perceived as paramount.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukas Sveikata
- J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Cardiology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Aleksandras Vilionskis
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Adam Wiśniewski
- Department of Neurology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Kristaps Jurjans
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Riga Stradins University, 1002 Riga, Latvia
- Department of Neurology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, 1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Andrius Klimašauskas
- Center of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Pain Management, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dalius Jatužis
- Center of Neurology, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rytis Masiliūnas
- Center of Neurology, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +370-688-62356; Fax: +370-688-62728
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6
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El Koussa R, Linder S, Quayson A, Banash S, MacNeal JJ, Shah P, Brenner M, Levine R, Zaidat OO, Bansal V. mG-FAST, a single pre-hospital stroke screen for evaluating large vessel and non-large vessel strokes. Front Neurol 2022; 13:912119. [PMID: 35989921 PMCID: PMC9381732 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.912119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSeveral stroke scales have been implemented to enhance early recognition of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the field. These scales necessitate a tiered approach requiring emergency medical services (EMS) to utilize two scales, one for identifying stroke and another for differentiating LVO from non-LVO. Ideally, a single stroke scale should be utilized by EMS for triage.MethodsThis is a prospective analysis of 150 consecutive patients presenting with stroke symptoms from the field. The stroke scale modified Gaze-Face-Arm-Speech-Time (mG-FAST) was used to simultaneously identify stroke and detect LVO in the pre-hospital setting. Imaging was used to confirm the presence of a LVO and determine the sensitivity and specificity of mG-FAST. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC). Youden's index was used to determine the optimal cutoff score. Inter-rater reliability was obtained by comparing the EMS and stroke provider mG-FAST scores. EMS dispatch-to-thrombectomy-capable stroke center (mothership, MS) arrival time and groin puncture time were compared before and after the implementation of mG-FAST.Results33/150 patients had a confirmed LVO by imaging. 32/33 patients had an mG-FAST score ≥3. The AUC of mG-FAST was 0.899. An mG-FAST cut-off point of ≥3 yielded a sensitivity of 0.97 and specificity of 0.55 for LVO. The accuracy of this cut-off point was 64%. The EMS dispatch-to-MS time and groin puncture time decreased by 22 and 40 min after implementation of mG-FAST, respectively. With admission to the MS, the EMS dispatch-to-MS time decreased by 174.7 min compared to admission to a drip-and-ship (DS) hospital.ConclusionsUtilizing a single stroke scale in the field improves EMS dispatch-to-MS time, EMS dispatch-to-groin puncture time, and EMS door-to-intervention time. Implementation of mG-FAST as a pre-hospital screening tool is an effective method of triaging patients to the MS or DS hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy El Koussa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Roy El Koussa
| | - Sarah Linder
- Department of Interventional Neurology, Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - Alicia Quayson
- Department of Interventional Neurology, Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - Shawn Banash
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - James J. MacNeal
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - Parshva Shah
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - Mariaelana Brenner
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - Ross Levine
- Department of Neurology, Mercy Health Hospital and Trauma Center, Janesville, WI, United States
| | - Osama O. Zaidat
- Department of Neurology, Bon Secours Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Vibhav Bansal
- Department of Interventional Neurology, Mercy Health Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, IL, United States
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7
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Mack WJ. Getting ahead of stroke. J Neurointerv Surg 2022; 14:743-744. [PMID: 35835470 DOI: 10.1136/jnis-2022-019306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William J Mack
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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8
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Yu CY, Panagos PD, Kansagra AP. Travel time and distance for bypass and non-bypass routing of stroke patients in the USA. J Neurointerv Surg 2022:neurintsurg-2022-018787. [PMID: 35545427 DOI: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2022-018787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endovascular thrombectomy is not available at all hospitals that offer intravenous thrombolysis, prompting debate regarding the preferred transport destination for acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to quantify real-world travel time and distance of bypass and non-bypass transport models for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) and non-LVO stroke. METHODS This cross-sectional study included population data of census tracts in the contiguous USA from the 2014-2018 United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey, stroke (thrombolysis-capable) and thrombectomy-capable centers certified by a state or national body, and road network data from a mapping service. Census tracts were categorized by urbanization level. Data were retrieved from March to November 2020. Travel times and distances were calculated for each census tract to each of the following: nearest stroke center (nearest), nearest thrombectomy-capable center (bypass), and nearest stroke center then to the nearest thrombectomy-capable center (transfer). Population-weighted median and IQR were calculated nationally and by urbanization. RESULTS 72 538 census tracts, 2388 stroke hospitals, and 371 thrombectomy-capable centers were included. Nationally, population-weighted median travel time for nearest and bypass routing was 11.7 min (IQR 7.7-19.3) and 26.4 min (14.8-55.1), respectively. For transfer routing, the population-weighted median travel times with 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min door-in-door-out times were 94.1 min (78.5-127.7), 124.1 min (108.5-157.7), and 154.1 min (138.4-187.6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Bypass routing offers modest travel time benefits for LVO patients and incurs modest penalties for non-LVO patients. Differences are greatest in rural areas. A majority of Americans live in areas for which current guidelines recommend bypass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Y Yu
- Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Peter D Panagos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Akash P Kansagra
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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9
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Pérez de la Ossa N, Abilleira S, Jovin TG, García-Tornel Á, Jimenez X, Urra X, Cardona P, Cocho D, Purroy F, Serena J, San Román Manzanera L, Vivanco-Hidalgo RM, Salvat-Plana M, Chamorro A, Gallofré M, Molina CA, Cobo E, Davalos A, Ribo M. Effect of Direct Transportation to Thrombectomy-Capable Center vs Local Stroke Center on Neurological Outcomes in Patients With Suspected Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke in Nonurban Areas: The RACECAT Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2022; 327:1782-1794. [PMID: 35510397 PMCID: PMC9073661 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.4404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In nonurban areas with limited access to thrombectomy-capable centers, optimal prehospital transport strategies in patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion stroke are unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether, in nonurban areas, direct transport to a thrombectomy-capable center is beneficial compared with transport to the closest local stroke center. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, population-based, cluster-randomized trial including 1401 patients with suspected acute large-vessel occlusion stroke attended by emergency medical services in areas where the closest local stroke center was not capable of performing thrombectomy in Catalonia, Spain, between March 2017 and June 2020. The date of final follow-up was September 2020. INTERVENTIONS Transportation to a thrombectomy-capable center (n = 688) or the closest local stroke center (n = 713). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was disability at 90 days based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS; scores range from 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) in the target population of patients with ischemic stroke. There were 11 secondary outcomes, including rate of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration and thrombectomy in the target population and 90-day mortality in the safety population of all randomized patients. RESULTS Enrollment was halted for futility following a second interim analysis. The 1401 enrolled patients were included in the safety analysis, of whom 1369 (98%) consented to participate and were included in the as-randomized analysis (56% men; median age, 75 [IQR, 65-83] years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 17 [IQR, 11-21]); 949 (69%) comprised the target ischemic stroke population included in the primary analysis. For the primary outcome in the target population, median mRS score was 3 (IQR, 2-5) vs 3 (IQR, 2-5) (adjusted common odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82-1.29). Of 11 reported secondary outcomes, 8 showed no significant difference. Compared with patients first transported to local stroke centers, patients directly transported to thrombectomy-capable centers had significantly lower odds of receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (in the target population, 229/482 [47.5%] vs 282/467 [60.4%]; OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.76) and significantly higher odds of receiving thrombectomy (in the target population, 235/482 [48.8%] vs 184/467 [39.4%]; OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.13-1.89). Mortality at 90 days in the safety population was not significantly different between groups (188/688 [27.3%] vs 194/713 [27.2%]; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.79-1.18). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In nonurban areas in Catalonia, Spain, there was no significant difference in 90-day neurological outcomes between transportation to a local stroke center vs a thrombectomy-capable referral center in patients with suspected large-vessel occlusion stroke. These findings require replication in other settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02795962.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Pérez de la Ossa
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Stroke Programme, Catalan Health Department, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sònia Abilleira
- Stroke Programme, Catalan Health Department, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tudor G. Jovin
- Neurological Institute, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey
| | - Álvaro García-Tornel
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebrón, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Jimenez
- Emergency Medical Services of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xabier Urra
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Cardona
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolores Cocho
- Neurology Department, Hospital Granollers, Granollers, Spain
| | - Francisco Purroy
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | - Joaquin Serena
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain
| | | | - Rosa Maria Vivanco-Hidalgo
- Stroke Programme, Catalan Health Department, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Salvat-Plana
- Stroke Programme, Catalan Health Department, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel Chamorro
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Gallofré
- Stroke Programme, Catalan Health Department, Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos A. Molina
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebrón, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erik Cobo
- Statistics and Operational Research, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Davalos
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Marc Ribo
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebrón, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Allen M, Pearn K, Ford GA, White P, Rudd AG, McMeekin P, Stein K, James M. National implementation of reperfusion for acute ischaemic stroke in England: How should services be configured? A modelling study. Eur Stroke J 2021; 7:28-40. [PMID: 35300255 PMCID: PMC8921787 DOI: 10.1177/23969873211063323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To guide policy when planning thrombolysis (IVT) and thrombectomy (MT) services for acute stroke in England, focussing on the choice between ‘mothership’ (direct conveyance to an MT centre) and ‘drip-and-ship’ (secondary transfer) provision and the impact of bypassing local acute stroke centres. Design Outcome-based modelling study. Setting 107 acute stroke centres in England, 24 of which provide IVT and MT (IVT/MT centres) and 83 provide only IVT (IVT-only units). Participants 242,874 emergency admissions with acute stroke over 3 years (2015–2017). Intervention Reperfusion delivered by drip-and-ship, mothership or ‘hybrid’ models; impact of additional travel time to directly access an IVT/MT centre by bypassing a more local IVT-only unit; effect of pre-hospital selection for large artery occlusion (LAO). Main outcome measures Population benefit from reperfusion, time to IVT and MT, admission numbers to IVT-only units and IVT/MT centres. Results Without pre-hospital selection for LAO, 94% of the population of England live in areas where the greatest clinical benefit, assuming unknown patient status, accrues from direct conveyance to an IVT/MT centre. However, this policy produces unsustainable admission numbers at these centres, with 78 out of 83 IVT-only units receiving fewer than 300 admissions per year (compared to 3 with drip-and-ship). Implementing a maximum permitted additional travel time to bypass an IVT-only unit, using a pre-hospital test for LAO, and selecting patients based on stroke onset time, all help to mitigate the destabilising effect but there is still some significant disruption to admission numbers, and improved selection of patients suitable for MT selectively reduces the number of patients who would receive IVT at IVT-only centres, challenging the sustainability of IVT expertise in IVT-only centres. Conclusions Implementation of reperfusion for acute stroke based solely on achieving the maximum population benefit potentially leads to destabilisation of the emergency stroke care system. Careful planning is required to create a sustainable system, and modelling may be used to help planners maximise benefit from reperfusion while creating a sustainable emergency stroke care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Allen
- University of Exeter, Medical School and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (SWPenARC), Exeter, UK
| | - Kerry Pearn
- University of Exeter, Medical School and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (SWPenARC), Exeter, UK
| | - Gary A Ford
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford University and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Phil White
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anthony G Rudd
- Kings College London and Guy’s and St Thomas, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Peter McMeekin
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ken Stein
- University of Exeter, Medical School and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (SWPenARC), Exeter, UK
| | - Martin James
- University of Exeter, Medical School and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (SWPenARC), Exeter, UK
- Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK
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11
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Matsoukas S, Giovanni B, Rubinstein L, Majidi S, Stein LK, Fifi JT. Modeling the Impact of Prehospital Triage on a True-Life Drip and Ship Mechanical Thrombectomy Urban Patient Cohort. Cerebrovasc Dis Extra 2021; 11:137-144. [PMID: 34823243 PMCID: PMC8740215 DOI: 10.1159/000520078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to model the effect of prehospital triage of emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) to endovascular capable center (ECC) on the timing of thrombectomy and intravenous (IV) thrombolysis using real-world data from a multihospital system. Methods We selected a cohort of 77 consecutive stroke patients who were brought by emergency medical services (EMS) to a nonendovascular capable center and then transferred to an ECC for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) (“actual” drip and ship [DS] cohort). We created a hypothetical scenario (bypass model [BM]), modeling transfer of the patients directly to an ECC, based on patients' initial EMS pickup address and closest ECC. Using another cohort of 73 consecutive patients, who were brought directly to an ECC by EMS and underwent endovascular intervention, we calculated mean door-to-needle and door-to-arterial puncture (AP) times (“actual” mothership [MS] cohort). Timings in the actual MS cohort and the actual DS cohort were compared to timings from the BM cohort. Results Median first medical contact (FMC) to IV thrombolysis time was 87.5 min (interquartile range [IQR] = 38) for the DS versus 78.5 min (IQR = 8.96) for the BM cohort, with p = 0.1672. Median FMC to AP was 244 min (IQR = 97) versus 147 min (IQR = 8.96) (p < 0.001), and median FMC to TICI 2B+ time was 299 min (IQR = 108.5) versus 197 min (IQR = 8.96) (p < 0.001) for the DS versus BM cohort, respectively. Conclusions Modeled EMS prehospital triage of ELVO patients' results in shorter MT times without a change in thrombolysis times. As triage tools increase in sensitivity and specificity, EMS triage protocols stand to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Matsoukas
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA,
| | - Brian Giovanni
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liorah Rubinstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shahram Majidi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Laura K Stein
- Department of Neurology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Johanna T Fifi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Neurology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
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12
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To support safe provision of mechanical thrombectomy services for patients with acute ischaemic stroke: 2021 consensus guidance from BASP, BSNR, ICSWP, NACCS, and UKNG. Clin Radiol 2021; 76:862.e1-862.e17. [PMID: 34482987 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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13
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Desai SM, Leslie-Mazwi TM, Hirsch JA, Jadhav AP. Optimal transfer paradigm for emergent large vessel occlusion strokes: recognition to recanalization in the RACECAT trial. J Neurointerv Surg 2021; 13:97-99. [PMID: 33500255 DOI: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2020-017227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shashvat M Desai
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Joshua A Hirsch
- NeuroEndovascular Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ashutosh P Jadhav
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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14
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Chaudhry SA, Sadaf H, Laleka I, Nasir W, Witzel C, Bahiru Z, Fang Y, Ishfaq F, Altaweel LR, Qureshi AI. Rates of adverse events in patients with ischemic stroke treated at thrombectomy capable hospitals. J Neurointerv Surg 2021; 14:346-349. [PMID: 34039681 DOI: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the beneficial effects of thrombectomy capable hospitals (TCHs), by comparing the incidence of in-hospital adverse events and discharge outcomes among patients with ischemic stroke treated at thrombectomy capable and non-thrombectomy capable hospitals in the United States. METHODS We used the data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from January 2012 to December 2017. Thrombectomy capable hospitals were identified based on the number of thrombectomy procedures performed by a hospital each year among patients with ischemic stroke. If a hospital performed 10 or more thrombectomy procedures, it was labelled a TCH. The inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, and ischemic stroke (International Classification of Diseases 433 .x1-434.x1 (ICD-9) or I63 (ICD-10)) as primary discharge diagnosis. A comparative analysis of propensity-matched patient groups was done to study the influence of TCH admissions on in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS A total of 2 826 334 patients with primary ischemic stroke were identified. In a multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, hospital teaching status, comorbidities, and all patients refined diagnosis-related groups-based disease severity, patients admitted to a TCH were found to have low incidence of in-hospital adverse events: pneumonia (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.93), urinary tract infection (OR=0.87, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.91), sepsis (OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.02), and pulmonary embolism (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.03); in-hospital death (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.88); and higher rate of home discharge (OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12). CONCLUSIONS A decrease in-hospital adverse events and improved discharge outcomes were observed among patients with ischemic stroke admitted to a TCH compared with a non-TCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqib A Chaudhry
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Humaira Sadaf
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Spine Institute, INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Ibrahim Laleka
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Spine Institute, INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Wahid Nasir
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, Virginia, USA.,Department of Medicine, INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Catherine Witzel
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zelalem Bahiru
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Spine Institute, INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Yun Fang
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Spine Institute, INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Fawad Ishfaq
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Laith R Altaweel
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience and Spine Institute, INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Adnan I Qureshi
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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15
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Venema E, Burke JF, Roozenbeek B, Nelson J, Lingsma HF, Dippel DWJ, Kent DM. Prehospital Triage Strategies for the Transportation of Suspected Stroke Patients in the United States. Stroke 2020; 51:3310-3319. [PMID: 33023425 PMCID: PMC7587242 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.031144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) could benefit from direct transportation to an intervention center for endovascular treatment, but non-LVO patients need rapid IV thrombolysis in the nearest center. Our aim was to evaluate prehospital triage strategies for suspected stroke patients in the United States. Methods: We used a decision tree model and geographic information system to estimate outcome of suspected stroke patients transported by ambulance within 4.5 hours after symptom onset. We compared the following strategies: (1) Always to nearest center, (2) American Heart Association algorithm (ie, directly to intervention center if a prehospital stroke scale suggests LVO and total driving time from scene to intervention center is <30 minutes, provided that the delay would not exclude from thrombolysis), (3) modified algorithms with a maximum additional driving time to the intervention center of <30 minutes, <60 minutes, or without time limit, and (4) always to intervention center. Primary outcome was the annual number of good outcomes, defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2. The preferred strategy was the one that resulted in the best outcomes with an incremental number needed to transport to intervention center (NNTI) <100 to prevent one death or severe disability (modified Rankin Scale score of >2). Results: Nationwide implementation of the American Heart Association algorithm increased the number of good outcomes by 594 (+1.0%) compared with transportation to the nearest center. The associated number of non-LVO patients transported to the intervention center was 16 714 (NNTI 28). The modified algorithms yielded an increase of 1013 (+1.8%) to 1369 (+2.4%) good outcomes, with a NNTI varying between 28 and 32. The algorithm without time limit was preferred in the majority of states (n=32 [65%]), followed by the algorithm with <60 minutes delay (n=10 [20%]). Tailoring policies at county-level slightly reduced the total number of transportations to the intervention center (NNTI 31). Conclusions: Prehospital triage strategies can greatly improve outcomes of the ischemic stroke population in the United States, but increase the number of non-LVO stroke patients transported to an intervention center. The current American Heart Association algorithm is suboptimal as a nationwide policy and should be modified to allow more delay when directly transporting LVO-suspected patients to an intervention center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmee Venema
- Department of Neurology (E.V., B.R., D.W.J.D.), Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Public Health (E.V., H.F.L.), Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - James F Burke
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (J.F.B.)
| | - Bob Roozenbeek
- Department of Neurology (E.V., B.R., D.W.J.D.), Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (B.R.), Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jason Nelson
- Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA (J.N., D.M.K.)
| | - Hester F Lingsma
- Department of Public Health (E.V., H.F.L.), Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Diederik W J Dippel
- Department of Neurology (E.V., B.R., D.W.J.D.), Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - David M Kent
- Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA (J.N., D.M.K.)
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