Stroke code improves intravenous thrombolysis administration in acute ischemic stroke

Developing Systems of Care for Stroke in Resource-limited Settings

Although stroke prevention and treatment strategies have significantly advanced in recent years, implementation of these care elements in resource-limited settings can be challenging, since the burden of stroke is higher and access to stroke care is lower. Barriers to stroke care in resource-limited settings include insufficient prevention, reduced awareness of stroke symptoms, limited prehospital care and lack of triage systems, limited access to comprehensive stroke centers, inadequate personnel education, lack of staff and resources, as well as limited access to neuroimaging, thrombolytics, mechanical thrombectomy, neurosurgical care, and rehabilitation. Here, we suggest strategies to improve stroke care in these settings, including public health campaigns, protocols for prehospital notification, organized flow to specialized stroke centers, development of dedicated stroke units, and utilization of telemedicine and telerehabilitation. We also highlight the role of international organizations and governments in reducing the global burden of stroke.

Association of temporalis muscle thickness with functional outcomes in patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy

INTRODUCTION

Temporalis muscle thickness (TMT) is a surrogate marker for sarcopenia. This study investigated the association of TMT with clinical outcomes in patients receiving endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for stroke involving acute large vessel occlusion (LVO).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We enrolled consecutive patients who had undergone EVT between September 2014 and December 2021 at three thrombectomy-capable institutes. TMT was measured through preprocedural computerized tomography angiography. The clinical variables affecting TMT were investigated. The associations between TMT and clinical functional outcomes, defined using the modified Rankin scale, were also studied.

RESULTS

A total of 657 patients were included (mean age: 72.0 ± 12.7 years; male: 52.1%). The mean TMT was 6.35 ± 1.84 mm. Younger age, male sex, higher body mass index, and premorbid functional independence were associated with larger TMT in both univariate and multivariate linear regression (P <.05). Ordinal logistic regression revealed that TMT was associated with better clinical outcomes at 90 days (P_trend = 0.047); multivariate logistic regression indicated that larger TMT was an independent predictor (adjusted odds ratio: 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.27, P = 0.02) of favorable functional independence (modified Rankin scale score: 0-2). The effect was stronger in older patients (≥80 years) than younger patients, as revealed by interaction modeling analysis (P_interaction = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

TMT is associated with age, sex, body mass index, and premorbid functional status. Larger TMT is associated with better outcomes after EVT. The effects of TMT are more pronounced in older adults, indicating that sarcopenia may have influence on stroke outcomes.

Effect of implementing care protocols on acute ischemic stroke outcomes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Implementing stroke care protocols has intended to provide better care quality, favor early functional recovery, and achieving long-term results for the rehabilitation of the patient.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of implementing care protocols on the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Primary studies published from 2011 to 2020 and which met the following criteria were included: population should be people with acute ischemic stroke; studies should present results on the outcomes of using protocols in the therapeutic approach to acute ischemic stroke. The bibliographic search was carried out in June 2020 in 7 databases. The article selection was conducted by two independent reviewers and the results were narratively synthesized.

RESULTS

A total of 11,226 publications were retrieved in the databases, of which 30 were included in the study. After implementing the protocol, 70.8% of the publications found an increase in the rate of performing reperfusion therapy, such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy; 45.5% identified an improvement in the clinical prognosis of the patient; and 25.0% of the studies identified a decrease in the length of hospital stay. Out of 19 studies that addressed the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, 2 (10.5%) identified a decrease. A decrease in mortality was mentioned in 3 (25.0%) articles out of 12 that evaluated this outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified the importance of implementing protocols in increasing the performance of reperfusion therapies, and a good functional outcome with improved prognosis after discharge. However, there is still a need to invest in reducing post-thrombolysis complications and mortality.

The COVID-19 pandemic effect on the prehospital Madrid stroke code metrics and diagnostic accuracy

BACKGROUND

Only very few studies have investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pre-hospital stroke code protocol. During the first wave, Spain was one of the most affected countries by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease pandemic. This health catastrophe overshadowed other pathologies, such as acute stroke, the leading cause of death among women and the leading cause of disability among adults. Any interference in the stroke code protocol can delay the administration of reperfusion treatment for acute ischemic strokes, leading to a worse patient prognosis. We aimed to compare the performance of the stroke code during the first wave of the pandemic with the same period of the previous year.

METHODS

This was a multicentre interrupted time-series observational study of the cohort of stroke codes of SUMMA 112 and of the ten hospitals with a stroke unit in the Community of Madrid. We established two groups according to the date on which they were attended: the first during the dates with the highest daily cumulative incidence of the first wave of the COVID-19 (from February 27 to June 15, 2020), and the second, the same period of the previous year (from February 27 to June 15, 2019). To assess the performance of the stroke code, we compared each of the pre-hospital emergency service time periods, the diagnostic accuracy (proportion of stroke codes with a final diagnosis of acute stroke out of the total), the proportion of patients treated with reperfusion therapies, and the in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

SUMMA 112 activated the stroke code in 966 patients (514 in the pre-pandemic group and 452 pandemic). The call management time increased by 9% (95% CI: -0.11; 0.91; p value = 0.02), and the time on scene increased by 12% (95% CI: 2.49; 5.93; p value = <0.01). Diagnostic accuracy, and the proportion of patients treated with reperfusion therapies remained stable. In-hospital mortality decreased by 4% (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

During the first wave, a prolongation of the time "on the scene" of the management of the 112 calls, and of the hospital admission was observed. Prehospital diagnostic accuracy and the proportion of patients treated at the hospital level with intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy were not altered with respect to the previous year, showing the resilience of the stroke network and the emergency medical service.

Reducing care time after implementing protocols for acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review

Background The treatment of acute ischemic stroke with cerebral reperfusion therapy requires rapid care and recognition of symptoms.

Objective To analyze the effectiveness of implementing protocols for acute ischemic stroke in reducing care time.

Methods Systematic review, which was performed with primary studies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish published between 2011 and 2020. Inclusion criteria: study population should comprise people with acute ischemic stroke and studies should present results on the effectiveness of using urgent care protocols in reducing care time. The bibliographic search was conducted in June 2020 in the LILACS, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, and SocINDEX databases. The articles were selected, and data were extracted by two independent reviewers; the synthesis of the results was performed narratively. The methodological quality of articles was evaluated through specific instruments proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Results A total of 11,226 publications were found, of which 35 were included in the study. Only one study reported improvement in the symptoms-onset-to-door time after protocol implementation. The effectiveness of the therapeutic approach protocols for ischemic stroke was identified in improving door-to-image, image-to-needle, door-to-needle and symptoms-onset-to-needle times. The main limitation found in the articles concerned the lack of clarity in relation to the study population.

Conclusions Several advances have been identified in in-hospital care with protocol implementation; however, it is necessary to improve the recognition time of stroke symptoms among those who have the first contact with the person affected by the stroke and among the professionals involved with the prehospital care.

Rapid Thrombolysis Protocol: Results from a Before-and-after Study

Objective

Intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 hours from time of onset has proven benefit in stroke. Universal standard for the door-to-needle (DTN) time is within 60 minutes from the time of arrival of patients to the emergency department. Our rapid thrombolysis protocol (RTPr) was developed with an aim to reduce the DTN time to a minimum by modifying our stroke post-intervention processes.

Materials and methods

This before-and-after study was conducted at a single center on patients who received intravenous thrombolysis in the emergency department. Consecutive patients who were thrombolysed using our RTPr (post-intervention group) were compared to the pre-intervention group who were thrombolysed before the implementation of the protocol. The primary outcomes were DTN time, time to recovery, and modified ranking score (mRS) on discharge. Secondary outcomes were mortality, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and hospital and intensive care unit length of stay.

Results

Seventy-four patients were enrolled in each group. Mean DTN time in pre- and post-intervention group was 56.15 minutes (95% CI 49.98–62.31) and 34.91 minutes (95% CI 29.64–40.17) (p <0.001), respectively. In pre-intervention and post-intervention groups, 43.24% (95% CI 32.57–54.59) and 41.89% (95% CI 31.32–53.26) patients, respectively, showed neurological recovery in 24 hours. About 36.49% (95% CI 26.44–47.87) in pre-intervention group and 54.05% (95% CI 42.78–64.93) in post-intervention group had discharge mRS 0–2.

Conclusion

The RTPr can be adapted by clinicians and hospitals to bring down the DTN times and improve outcomes for stroke patients.

How to cite this article

Verma A, Sarda S, Jaiswal S, Batra A, Haldar M, Sheikh WR, et al. Rapid Thrombolysis Protocol: Results from a Before-and-after Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(5):549–554.

Effectiveness of Standard-Dose vs. Low-Dose Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Within 3-4.5 h

Background

The efficacy and safety of intravenous alteplase administered 3–4.5 h after acute ischemic stroke have been demonstrated. However, whether responses differ between low-dose and standard-dose alteplase during this time window and whether certain subgroups benefit more remain unknown.

Patients and Methods

The current analysis was based on a multicenter matched-cohort study conducted in Taiwan. The treatment group comprised 378 patients receiving intravenous alteplase 3–4.5 h after stroke onset, and the control group comprised 378 age- and sex-matched patients who did not receive alteplase treatment during the same period. Standard- and low-dose alteplase was administered to patients at the physician's discretion.

Results

Overall, patients receiving alteplase exhibited more favorable outcomes than did controls [34.0 vs. 22.7%; odds ratio (OR): 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27–1.42], and the effectiveness was consistent in all subgroups. Although patients in the standard-dose group (n = 182) were younger than those in the low-dose (n = 192) group, the proportions of patients with favorable outcomes (36.3 vs. 31.8%; OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.80–1.88) and symptomatic hemorrhage (2.8 vs 4.2%; OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.21–2.02) were consistently comparable in a covariate-adjusted model and an age-matched cohort. In the subgroup analysis, patients with cardioembolism, atrial fibrillation, and hypercholesterolemia were more likely to achieve favorable outcomes after receiving standard-dose than low-dose alteplase.

Conclusion

In the 3–4.5 h time window, the effectiveness and safety of standard-dose and low-dose alteplase may be comparable. A standard dose may be selected for patients with cardioembolism, atrial fibrillation, or hypercholesterolemia.

Plasma neurofilament light chain level predicts outcomes in stroke patients receiving endovascular thrombectomy

Background

Timely endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) significantly improves outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion type. However, whether certain central nervous system-specific plasma biomarkers correlate with the outcomes is unknown. We evaluated the temporal changes and prognostic roles of the levels of these biomarkers in patients with AIS undergoing EVT.

Methods

We enrolled 60 patients who received EVT for AIS and 14 controls. The levels of plasma biomarkers, namely neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary astrocytic protein (GFAP), tau, and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), were measured with an ultrasensitive single molecule array before, immediately after, and 24 h after EVT (T1, T2, and T3, respectively). The outcomes of interest were death or disability at 90 days (defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3–6) and types of hemorrhagic transformation (hemorrhagic infarction or parenchymal hemorrhage).

Results

Of the 180 blood samples from the 60 patients who received EVT, the plasma NfL, GFAP, and UCHL1 levels at T1 were significantly higher than those of the controls, and the levels of all four biomarkers were significantly higher at T3. Patients with parenchymal hemorrhage had a significantly higher rate of increase in GFAP (P_interaction = 0.005) and UCHL1 (P_interaction = 0.007) levels compared with those without parenchymal hemorrhage. In a multivariable analysis with adjustment for age, sex, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, history of atrial fibrillation, and recanalization status, higher NfL levels at T1 (odds ratio [OR] 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–4.08), T2 (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.05–4.01), and T3 (OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.44–10.79) were independent predictors of death or disability at 90 days.

Conclusion

Among patients with AIS who received EVT, those with hemorrhagic transformation exhibited significant increase in plasma GFAP and UCHL1 levels over time. Higher plasma NfL were predictive of unfavorable functional outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02254-4.

Developing a stroke alert trigger for clinical decision support at emergency triage using machine learning

BACKGROUND

Acute stroke is an urgent medical condition that requires immediate assessment and treatment. Prompt identification of patients with suspected stroke at emergency department (ED) triage followed by timely activation of code stroke systems is the key to successful management of stroke. While false negative detection of stroke may prevent patients from receiving optimal treatment, excessive false positive alarms will substantially burden stroke neurologists. This study aimed to develop a stroke-alert trigger to identify patients with suspected stroke at ED triage.

METHODS

Patients who arrived at the ED within 12 h of symptom onset and were suspected of a stroke or transient ischemic attack or triaged with a stroke-related symptom were included. Clinical features at ED triage were collected, including the presenting complaint, triage level, self-reported medical history (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and prior stroke), vital signs, and presence of atrial fibrillation. Three rule-based algorithms, ie, Face Arm Speech Test (FAST) and two flavors of Balance, Eyes, FAST (BE-FAST), and six machine learning (ML) techniques with various resampling methods were used to build classifiers for identification of patients with suspected stroke. Logistic regression (LR) was used to find important features.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 1361 patients. The values of area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) were 0.737, 0.710, and 0.562 for the FAST, BE-FAST-1, and BE-FAST-2 models, respectively. The values of AUPRC for the top three ML models were 0.787 for classification and regression tree with undersampling, 0.783 for LR with synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE), and 0.782 for LR with class weighting. Among the ML models, logistic regression and random forest models in general achieved higher values of AUPRC, in particular in those with class weighting or SMOTE to handle class imbalance problem. In addition to the presenting complaint and triage level, age, diastolic blood pressure, body temperature, and pulse rate, were also important features for developing a stroke-alert trigger.

CONCLUSIONS

ML techniques significantly improved the performance of prediction models for identification of patients with suspected stroke. Such ML models can be embedded in the electronic triage system for clinical decision support at ED triage.

Angiographic early hyperemia in the middle cerebral artery territory after thrombectomy is associated with favorable clinical outcome in anterior circulation stroke

OBJECTIVES

Angiographic cortical early hyperemia (EH) is frequently observed after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between EH and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Between January 2015 and September 2018, consecutive patients who underwent EVT for anterior circulation LVO stroke with optimal recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b or 3) were included. Angiographic studies after immediate reperfusion were used for analysis for cortical EH sign. Clinical functional outcomes were evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Safety outcomes, including mortality and intracerebral hemorrhage, were assessed. The association of EH between clinical functional and safety outcomes was analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 143 patients were analyzed (mean age: 71 years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score: 18). A positive EH sign was observed in 88 (62%) patients. Good functional outcome at 90 days was significantly different between the EH⁺ and EH^- groups (p = .0157). Intracerebral hemorrhage and mortality did not differ between groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, EH was an independent predictor for good clinical outcome (mRS ≤ 2, odds ratio: 3.49, p = .0034) in addition to young age.

CONCLUSION

Results revealed that the presence of EH is associated with better clinical outcome at 90 days, but not associated with increased hemorrhagic complication. These findings with clinically relevant implications require further validation.

KEY POINTS

• Angiographic cortical hyperemia is a common finding immediately after endovascular thrombectomy. • Presence of cortical hyperemia is an independent prognostic factor for good clinical outcome. • Hemorrhagic complication is not associated with cortical hyperemia.

Effectiveness of interventions to improve rates of intravenous thrombolysis using behaviour change wheel functions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite being one of the few evidence-based treatments for acute ischemic stroke, intravenous thrombolysis has low implementation rates-mainly due to a narrow therapeutic window and the health system changes required to deliver it within the recommended time. This systematic review and meta-analyses explores the differential effectiveness of intervention strategies aimed at improving the rates of intravenous thrombolysis based on the number and type of behaviour change wheel functions employed.

METHOD

The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and SCOPUS. Multiple authors independently completed study selection and extraction of data. The review included studies that investigated the effects of intervention strategies aimed at improving the rates of intravenous thrombolysis and/or onset-to-needle, onset-to-door and door-to-needle time for thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Interventions were coded according to the behaviour change wheel nomenclature. Study quality was assessed using the QualSyst scoring system for quantitative research methodologies. Random effects meta-analyses were used to examine effectiveness of interventions based on the behaviour change wheel model in improving rates of thrombolysis, while meta-regression was used to examine the association between the number of behaviour change wheel intervention strategies and intervention effectiveness.

RESULTS

Results from 77 studies were included. Five behaviour change wheel interventions, 'Education', 'Persuasion', 'Training', 'Environmental restructuring' and 'Enablement', were found to be employed among the included studies. Effects were similar across all intervention approaches regardless of type or number of behaviour change wheel-based strategies employed. High heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) was observed for all the pooled analyses. Publication bias was also identified.

CONCLUSION

There was no evidence for preferring one type of behaviour change intervention strategy, nor for including multiple strategies in improving thrombolysis rates. However, the study results should be interpreted with caution, as they display high heterogeneity and publication bias.

Contrast-Induced Encephalopathy After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare and underrecognized complication after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of CIE in patients who underwent EVT.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who received EVT between September 2014 and December 2019 at 2 medical centers were included. CIE was diagnosed on clinical criteria of neurological deterioration or delayed improvement within 24 hours after the procedure that was unexplained by the infarct or hemorrhagic transformation and radiological criterion of edematous change extending beyond the infarct core accompanied by contrast staining.

RESULTS

Of 421 patients with acute ischemic stroke who received EVT, 7 (1.7%) developed CIE. The manifestations included worsening of focal neurological signs, coma, and seizure. Patients with CIE were more likely to experience contrast-induced acute kidney injury than were those without CIE, but the volume of contrast medium was comparable between the two groups. The independent risk factors for CIE included renal dysfunction (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min per 1.73 m²; odds ratio, 5.77 [95% CI, 1.37-24.3]; P=0.02) and history of stroke (odds ratio, 4.96 [95% CI, 1.15-21.3]; P=0.03). Patients with CIE were less likely to achieve favorable functional outcomes (odds ratio, 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01-0.87]; P=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

CIE should be suspected in patients with clinical worsening after EVT accompanied by imaging evidence of contrast staining and edematous changes, especially in patients with renal dysfunction or history of stroke.

Factors delaying intravenous thrombolytic therapy in acute ischaemic stroke: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This review examined factors that delay thrombolysis and what management strategies are currently employed to minimise this delay, with the aim of suggesting future directions to overcome bottlenecks in treatment delivery.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy included a combination of synonyms and controlled vocabularies from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and EmTree covering brain ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, fibrinolytic therapy and Alteplase. The search was conducted using Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), PubMed and Cochrane Library databases using truncations and Boolean operators. The literature search excluded review articles, trial protocols, opinion pieces and case reports. Inclusion criteria were: (1) The article directly related to thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke, and (2) The article examined at least one factor contributing to delay in thrombolytic therapy.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-two studies were included. Pre-hospital factors resulted in the greatest delay to thrombolysis administration. In-hospital factors relating to assessment, imaging and thrombolysis administration also contributed. Long onset-to-needle times were more common in those with atypical, or less severe, symptoms, the elderly, patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those living alone. Various strategies currently exist to reduce delays. Processes which have achieved the greatest improvements in time to thrombolysis are those which integrate out-of-hospital and in-hospital processes, such as the Helsinki model.

CONCLUSION

Further integrated processes are required to maximise patient benefit from thrombolysis. Expansion of community education to incorporate less common symptoms and provision of alert pagers for patients may provide further reduction in thrombolysis times.

Women and In-hospital Stroke Code Activation: Age, Ethnicity, and Unique Symptoms Matter

BACKGROUND

Women have worse stroke outcomes than men, and almost 17% of all stroke cases have symptom onset when admitted to the hospital for a separate condition.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the distinctive factors that impact the activation of an in-hospital stroke code and outcomes in women who have a stroke while admitted to the hospital for a separate condition.

METHODS

A retrospective observational propensity score study guided by the model for nursing effectiveness was used.

RESULTS

In-hospital stroke code was activated in 46 of 149 or 30.9% of women and 15 of 149 or 10.1% of women received thrombolytic therapy. Activation of an in-hospital stroke code was significant (P < .001) for women receiving thrombolytic therapy and significant to a home discharge status (P = .014). Age (P < .001), ethnicity (P < .001), common (P ≤ .001) and unique (P = .012) stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors (P < .001), comorbid conditions (P < .001), time last known well (P = .041), and diagnostic imaging (P < .001) were all significantly related to activation of an in-hospital stroke code.

CONCLUSIONS

Activation of an in-hospital stroke is a key indicator for women to receive thrombolytic therapy and be discharged to home. Younger married women from non-Caucasian ethnic groups and women with stroke risk factors and comorbid conditions are at a greater risk for delayed stroke symptom detection and not having an in-hospital stroke code activated. Awareness of these factors that hinder early stroke detection in women is crucial to improving stroke treatment and outcomes in women.

Comparison between in-hospital stroke and community-onset stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy

Objective

In-hospital stroke (IHS) is an uncommon but serious medical emergency. Early recanalization through endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) may offer a vital therapeutic choice. This study compared the clinical features and outcomes between IHS and community-onset stroke (COS).

Methods

From a single-center registry of 2813 patients with ischemic stroke, those who had received EVT for acute ischemic stroke were included and classified into the IHS and COS groups based on their stroke onset scenario. We compared the outcomes including successful recanalization, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2) at 90 days, and mortality between the two groups.

Results

A total of 24 patients with IHS (mean age, 70 years; 54% men) and 105 patients with COS (mean age, 73 years; 47% men) were included. The most frequently reported reasons for admission in patients with IHS were cardiovascular and oncological diseases. The initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and main occluded vessels were similar between the two groups. Patients with IHS received a higher number of active malignancy diagnoses, were more likely to withhold antithrombotic agents, and exhibited higher prestroke functional dependency. The median onset-to-puncture time was 192 min in IHS and 217 min in COS (P = 0.15). The percentages of successful recanalization (79% vs 71%), symptomatic hemorrhage (0% vs 9%), functional independence (42% vs 40%), and mortality (17% vs 12%) were comparable between the two groups. After adjustment for covariates, initial NIHSS scores and successful recanalization were the most important predictors for functional independence at 90 days.

Conclusions

Despite having disadvantages at baseline, patients with IHS could still benefit from timely EVT to achieve favorable outcomes. A well-designed acute stroke protocol tailored for IHS should be developed.

Effects of Nursing Quality Improvement on Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and purpose: Intravenous thrombolytic therapy significantly improves the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients in a time-dependent manner. The aim of this study was to investigate whether continuous nursing quality improvement in stroke nurses has a positive effect on reducing the time to thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: The implementation of nursing quality improvement measures includes establishing full-time stroke nurses, pre-notification by emergency medical services (EMS), stroke team notification protocols, rapid triage, publicity and education, etc. Using a history-controlled approach, we analyzed acute ischemic stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis during a pre-intervention period (April 1, 2015-July 31, 2016), trial period (August 1, 2016-October 31, 2016), and post-intervention period (November 1, 2016-September 30, 2017). This was done in accordance with the implementation of nursing quality improvement measures, including the general characteristics of the three groups, the time of each step in the process of thrombolysis, and the prognosis.

Results: After the implementation of nursing quality improvement measures, the median door-to-needle time (DNT) was shortened from 73 min (interquartile range [IQR] 62–92 min) to 49 min (IQR 40-54 min; p < 0.001) in the post-intervention period. The median onset-to-needle time (ONT) was reduced from 193 min (IQR 155–240 min) to 167 min (IQR 125-227 min; p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with DNT ≤ 60 min increased from 23.94% (51/213) to 86.36% (190/220; p < 0.001) while the proportion of patients with DNT ≤ 40 min increased from 3.29% (7/213) to 25.00% (55/220; p < 0.001). The median time for door-to-laboratory results was decreased from 68 min to 56 min (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the fatality rate, 90-day modified Rankin score, length of stay or hospitalization expenses between the three groups of patients (p> 0.05).

Conclusions: Implementation of nursing quality improvement measures in stroke nurses is an important factor in shortening the time of medication in patients with thrombolytic therapy, reducing the delay of intravenous thrombolysis in the hospital and helping to expedite presenting patients' arrival to the hospital post-stroke.

Generalization of the right acute stroke promotive strategies in reducing delays of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis

The generalization of successful efforts for reducing time delays in intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) could help facilitate its utility and benefits in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for articles reporting interventions to reduce time delays in IVT, published between January 1995 and September 2017. The IVT rate was chosen as the primary outcome, while the compliance rates of onset-to-door time (prehospital delay) and door-to-needle time (in-hospital delay) within the targeted time frame were the secondary outcomes. Interventions designed to reduce prehospital, in-hospital, or total time delays were quantitatively described in meta-analyses. The efficacy of postintervention improvement was illustrated as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).In total, 86 papers (17 on prehospital, 56 on in-hospital, and 13 on total delay) encompassing 17,665 IVT cases were enrolled, including 28 American, 23 Asian, 30 European, and 5 Australian studies. The meta-analysis revealed statistically significant improvement in promoting IVT delivery after prehospital improvement interventions with an OR of 1.45 (95% CI, 1.23-1.71) for the new transportation protocol, 1.38 (95% CI, 1.11-1.73) for educational and training programs, and 1.83 (95% CI, 1.44-2.32) for comprehensive prehospital stroke code. The benefits of reducing in-hospital delay were much greater in developed western countries than in Asian countries, with ORs of 2.90 (95% CI, 2.51-3.34), 2.17 (95% CI, 1.95-2.41), and 1.89 (95% CI, 1.74-2.04) in American, European, and Asian countries, respectively. And telemedicine (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 2.08-2.46) seemed to work better than pre-notification alone (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.74-2.17) and in-hospital organizational improvement programs (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.97-2.23). Mobile stroke treatment unit and use of a comprehensive stroke pathway in the pre- and in-hospital settings significantly increased IVT rates by reducing total time delay, with ORs of 2.01 (95% CI, 1.60-2.51) and 1.77 (95% CI, 1.55-2.03), respectively.Optimization of the work flow with organizational improvement or novel technology could dramatically reduce pre- and in-hospital time delays of IVT in AIS. This study provided detailed information on the net and quantitative benefits of various programs for reducing time delays to facilitate the generalization of appropriate AIS management.

Penumbral Imaging-Based Thrombolysis with Tenecteplase Is Feasible up to 24 Hours after Symptom Onset

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Thrombolysis >4.5 hours after ischemic stroke onset is unproven. We assessed the feasibility of tenecteplase (TNK) treatment in patients with evidence of an ischemic penumbra 4.5 to 24 hours after onset.

METHODS

Acute ischemic stroke patients underwent perfusion computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with cerebral blood volume (CBV) or diffusion weighted imaging Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTS) >6 and mismatch score >2 (defined as >2 ASPECTS regions with delay on mean transit time maps and normal CBV) were eligible for treatment with TNK (0.25 mg/kg). Patients with mismatch patterns enrolled in non-endovascular/non-thrombolysis trials and those without mismatch patterns served as comparators.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in TNK treated patients (n=16) was 12 (range, 8 to 15). In the untreated mismatch (n=18) and nonmismatch (n=23) groups, the baseline NIHSS was 12 (range, 7 to 12) and 16 (range, 8 to 20; P=0.09) respectively. There was one symptomatic hemorrhage each in the TNK group (parenchymal hematoma [PH] 2) and non-mismatch group (PH 2). Penumbral salvage volumes were higher in TNK treated patients (48.3 mL [range, 24.9 to 80.4]) than the non-mismatch (-90.8 mL [range, -197 to -20]; P<0.0001) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective, non-randomized study supports the feasibility of TNK therapy in patients with evidence of ischemic penumbra 4 to 24 hours after onset.

Impact of "Stroke Code"-Rapid Response Team: An Attempt to Improve Intravenous Thrombolysis Rate and to Shorten Door-to-Needle Time in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective:

“Stroke code” (SC) implementation in hospitals can improve the rate of thrombolysis and the timeline in care of stroke patient.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective data of patients treated for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after implementation of “SC” (post-SC era) were analyzed (2015–2016) and compared with the retrospective data of patients treated in the “pre-SC era.” Parameters such as symptom-to-door, door-to-physician, door-to-imaging, door-to-needle (DTN), and symptom-to-needle time were calculated. The severity of stroke was calculated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) before and after treatment.

Results:

Patients presented with stroke symptoms in pre- and post-SC era (695 vs. 610) and, out of these, patients who came in window period constituted 148 (21%) and 210 (34%), respectively. Patients thrombolyzed in pre- and post-SC era were 44 (29.7%) and 65 (44.52%), respectively. Average DTN time was 104.95 min in pre-SC era and reduced to 67.28 min (P < 0.001) post-SC implementation. Percentage of patients thrombolyzed within DTN time ≤60 min in pre-SC era and SC era was 15.90% and 55.38%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Implementation of SC helped us to increase thrombolysis rate in AIS and decrease DTN time.

Improving Door-to-Needle Times for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Effect of Rapid Patient Registration, Moving Directly to Computed Tomography, and Giving Alteplase at the Computed Tomography Scanner

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of specific systems changes to reduce DTN (door-to-needle) time has not been fully evaluated. We analyzed the impact of 4 specific DTN time reduction strategies implemented prospectively in a staggered fashion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The HASTE (Hurry Acute Stroke Treatment and Evaluation) project was implemented in 3 phases at a single academic medical center. In HASTE I (June 6, 2012 to June 5, 2013), baseline performance was analyzed. In HASTE II (June 6, 2013 to January 24, 2015), 3 changes were implemented: (1) a STAT stroke protocol to prenotify the stroke team about incoming stroke patients; (2) administering alteplase at the computed tomography (CT) scanner; and (3) registering the patient as unknown to allow immediate order entry. In HASTE III (January 25, 2015 to June 29, 2015), we implemented a process to bring the patient directly to CT on the emergency medical services stretcher. Log-transformed DTN time was modeled. Data from 350 consecutive alteplase-treated patients were analyzed. Multivariable regression showed the following factors to be significant: giving alteplase in the CT (32% decrease in DTN time, 95% confidence interval [CI] 38%-55%), stretcher to CT (30% decrease in DTN time, 95% CI 16%-42%), patient registered as unknown (12% decrease in DTN time, 95% CI 3%-20%), STAT stroke protocol (11% decrease in DTN time, 95% CI 1%-20%), and stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 6-8: 19% decrease in DTN time, 95% CI 6%-31%; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >8: 27% decrease in DTN time, 95% CI 17%-37%).

CONCLUSIONS

Taking the patient to CT on the emergency medical services stretcher, registering the patient as unknown, STAT stroke protocol, and administering alteplase in CT are associated with lower DTN time.

Validation of descriptive clinical pathway criteria in the systematic identification of publications in emergency medicine

Background

Heterogeneity in both the definition and terminology of clinical pathways presents a challenge to the systematic identification of primary studies for review purposes. Recently developed clinical pathway identification criteria may facilitate both the identification and assessment of clinical pathway studies. The goal of this publication is the validation of these five criteria in a descriptive systematic review of actively implemented clinical pathway studies in the emergency department setting. The main outcome measure is the inter-rater agreement of investigators using the clinical pathway criteria.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search from 2006 to 2015 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL. All types of prospective trial designs were eligible. We identified relevant publications using the above-mentioned clinical pathway criteria. Two reviewers independently collected data using a piloted data abstraction tool.

Results

We identified 5947 publications, with 472 potentially relevant full text publications retrieved. Of these, 357 did not meet preliminary study inclusion criteria, leaving 115 publications where the clinical pathway criteria were applied. Ultimately, 44 publications were included. The inter-rater agreement of the criteria was very good (κ = 0.81, 95% Confidence Interval = 0.70–0.92). The vast majority of studies were excluded because the intervention did not meet the criterion of being multidisciplinary in nature.

Conclusion

These criteria are a useful instrument to reliably identify clinical pathway publications for systematic review purposes in an emergency department setting. Future modification of these criteria may improve their usefulness. Particular attention should be placed on clarifying what is meant by multidisciplinary involvement within the context of clinical pathway interventions, with specific emphasis placed on delineating the level of involvement of each discipline and their decision-making responsibility.

Quality Indicators of Intravenous Thrombolysis from North India

Background:

Data on intravenous (IV) thrombolysis using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) are limited from low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to assess the quality indicators of IV thrombolysis in our stroke unit.

Methods:

All stroke patients admitted in our hospital from October 2008 to April 2017 were included in this study. Data were collected prospectively by trained research staff in a detailed case record form. Outcome was assessed using modified Rankin Scale (mRS, 0–1 good outcome).

Results:

Of the total 4720 stroke patients seen, 944 (20%) came within window period (<4.5 h). Of these, 214 (4.5%) were eligible for thrombolysis and 170 (3.6%) were thrombolysed, relatives of 23 (23/214, 10.7%) patients denied consent, and 21 (9.8%) patients could not afford tPA. The mean age of thrombolysed patients was 58.4 (range 19–95) years. Median NIHSS at admission was 12 (interquartile range 2–24). Average onset-to-door (O-D) time was 76.8 (5–219) min, door-to-examination (D-E) time was 17.8 (5–105) min, door-to-CT (D-CT) time was 48 (1–205) min, and door-to-needle (D-N) time was 90 (20–285) min. At 6 months, 110 (64.7%) patients were contactable and 82 (74.5%) patients had good outcome (mRS 0–1).

Conclusion:

Thrombolysis rate has steadily increased at the center without undue adverse effects even in the elderly. D-E and D-CT times have reduced, but O-D and D-N times need further improvement. More patients could be thrombolysed if the cost of tPA is reduced and the consent process is waived.

Thrombolysis in Stroke within 30 Minutes: Results of the Acute Brain Care Intervention Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Time is brain: benefits of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in ischemic stroke last for 4.5 hours but rapidly decrease as time progresses following symptom onset. The goal of the Acute Brain Care (ABC) intervention study was to reduce the door-to-needle time (DNT) to ≤30 minutes by optimizing in-hospital stroke treatment.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre before (pre-intervention period: 2000-2005) versus after (post-intervention period: 2006-2012) comparison in a cohort of consecutive patients treated with IVT. The intervention consisted of the implementation of a multidisciplinary stroke protocol combining simple strategies to reduce the DNT. Primary endpoint was the DNT, presented as proportion ≤30 minutes and median time. Secondary clinical endpoints were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), and favourable outcome defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRs) score of 0-2 at 3 months. Endpoints were additionally adjusted for baseline imbalances between the groups.

RESULTS

In the pre-intervention period, none (0.0%) of the 100 patients (mean age 63.8 years, median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 14) treated with IVT had a DNT ≤30 minutes compared to 234 (62.7%) of the 373 patients (mean age 66.7 years, median NIHSS score 10) in the post-intervention period (p<0.001). The median DNT decreased from 75 (IQR 60-105) to 28 minutes (IQR 20-37, p<0.001). SICH rate remained stable (3.0% versus 4.4%, OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.43─5.25; adjusted OR 5.47, 95% CI 0.69-42.12). The proportion of patients with a favourable outcome increased (38.9% versus 52.3%, OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.09-2.73) but lost statistical significance after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.82-2.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Important and sustained reduction of the DNT to 30 minutes or less can be safely achieved by optimizing in-hospital stroke treatment. With its simple strategies, the ABC-protocol is a pragmatic framework for increasing the therapeutic yield in time-dependent stroke treatment.

Pre and intrahospital workflow for acute stroke treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the recent demonstration of the effectiveness of rapid recanalization of large vessel occlusions in acute ischemic stroke, it is important to assess the current status of pre and intrahospital workflow for acute stroke.

RECENT FINDINGS

We will review trends in the evaluation and treatment of acute stroke and offer suggestions for how best to advance the workflow for acute stroke care in the coming years.

SUMMARY

Future research is needed for: field use of clinical scores for predicting large vessel occlusions, telemedicine to facilitate prehospital triage, and pre and intrahospital processes for optimizing stroke care delivery.

Time to Presentation Is Associated with Clinical Outcome in Hemispheric Stroke Patients Deemed Ineligible for Recanalization Therapy

BACKGROUND

Delayed thrombolysis adversely impacts functional outcome after stroke. Therefore, great efforts are undertaken to reduce delay in patient presentation and initiate treatment as quickly as possible. However, little is known regarding the impact of time to presentation (TTP) on outcome in patients who are ineligible for acute stroke therapy. Thus, we sought to determine whether the TTP is associated with the 90-day outcome irrespective of eligibility for acute recanalization therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 258 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients evaluated between January 2013 and February 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether a greater TTP is independently associated with a poor 90-day outcome defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 3-6.

RESULTS

In the unadjusted analyses, the TTP was inversely correlated with transfer from an acute facility (r = -.126, P = .043), cardioembolic stroke etiology (r = -.146, P = .019), and acute recanalization therapy (r = .-412, P < .001). Conversely, a longer TTP was correlated with a worse 90-day mRS score (r = .127, P = .045). After adjustment, the TTP (P = .019), age (P < .001), female sex (P = .001), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (P < .001), preadmission mRS score (P = .001), atrial fibrillation (P < .001), and infarct volume (P < .001) were independently associated with a poor 90-day outcome. Importantly, a longer TTP (odds ratio 1.016, 95% confidence interval 1.001-1.032, P = .036) remained independently associated with the 90-day outcome when we restricted the analyses to patients ineligible for acute intravenous and endovascular recanalization therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Each hour delay in the TTP decreased chances for good outcome by approximately 2% independent of patient eligibility for acute recanalization therapies.

International benchmarking for acute thrombolytic therapy implementation in Australia and Japan

Although a wide range of strategies have been established to improve intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) treatment rates, international benchmarking has not been regularly used as a systems improvement tool. We compared acute stroke codes (ASC) between two hospitals in Australia and Japan to study the activation process and potentially improve the implementation of thrombolysis. Consecutive patients who were admitted to each hospital via ASC were prospectively collected. We compared IV-tPA rates, factors contributing to exclusion from IV-tPA, and pre- and in-hospital process of care. IV-tPA treatment rates were significantly higher in the Australian hospital than in the Japanese (41% versus 25% of acute ischaemic stroke patients, p=0.0016). In both hospitals, reasons for exclusion from IV-tPA treatment were intracerebral haemorrhage, mild symptoms, and stroke mimic. Patients with baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score⩽5 were more likely to be excluded from IV-tPA in the Japanese hospital. Of patients treated with IV-tPA, the door-to-needle time (median, 63 versus 54minutes, p=0.0355) and imaging-to-needle time (34 versus 27minutes, p=0.0220) were longer in the Australian hospital. Through international benchmarking using cohorts captured under ASC, significant differences were noted in rates of IV-tPA treatment and workflow speed. This variation highlights opportunity to improve and areas to focus targeted practice improvement strategies.