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Röhrs KJ, Audebert H. Pre-Hospital Stroke Care beyond the MSU. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024; 24:315-322. [PMID: 38907812 PMCID: PMC11258185 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01351-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Mobile stroke units (MSU) have established a new, evidence-based treatment in prehospital stroke care, endorsed by current international guidelines and can facilitate pre-hospital research efforts. In addition, other novel pre-hospital modalities beyond the MSU are emerging. In this review, we will summarize existing evidence and outline future trajectories of prehospital stroke care & research on and off MSUs. RECENT FINDINGS The proof of MSUs' positive effect on patient outcomes is leading to their increased adoption in emergency medical services of many countries. Nevertheless, prehospital stroke care worldwide largely consists of regular ambulances. Advancements in portable technology for detecting neurocardiovascular diseases, telemedicine, AI and large-scale ultra-early biobanking have the potential to transform prehospital stroke care also beyond the MSU concept. The increasing implementation of telemedicine in emergency medical services is demonstrating beneficial effects in the pre-hospital setting. In synergy with telemedicine the exponential growth of AI-technology is already changing and will likely further transform pre-hospital stroke care in the future. Other promising areas include the development and validation of miniaturized portable devices for the pre-hospital detection of acute stroke. MSUs are enabling large-scale screening for ultra-early blood-based biomarkers, facilitating the differentiation between ischemia, hemorrhage, and stroke mimics. The development of suitable point-of-care tests for such biomarkers holds the potential to advance pre-hospital stroke care outside the MSU-concept. A multimodal approach of AI-supported telemedicine, portable devices and blood-based biomarkers appears to be an increasingly realistic scenario for improving prehospital stroke care in regular ambulances in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian J Röhrs
- Department of Neurology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinrich Audebert
- Department of Neurology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Zheng B, Li Y, Gu G, Yang J, Jiang J, Chen Z, Fan Y, Wang S, Pei H, Wang J. Comparing 5G mobile stroke unit and emergency medical service in patients acute ischemic stroke eligible for t-PA treatment: A prospective, single-center clinical trial in Ya'an, China. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3231. [PMID: 37632149 PMCID: PMC10636411 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3231] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to assess and compare the functional outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) eligible for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) treatment who received care from either a fifth-generation(5G) mobile stroke unit (MSU) or traditional emergency medical service (EMS). METHOD The study recruited patients between February 2020 and January 2022, with the final 90-day follow-up concluded in April 2022. Prior to enrollment, patients were assigned to either EMS or MSU care based on predetermined rules. The primary outcome measure was the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days, with secondary outcome measures including time metrics, mRS and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at 7-day follow-up, and hospitalization costs. RESULTS Of the 2281 enrolled patients, 207 were eligible for t-PA treatment, with 101 allocated to MSU care and 106 to EMS care. The percentage of patients achieving a favorable mRS score (0-2) at 90 days was 82.2% in the MSU group compared to 72.6% in the EMS group (p < .05). Median times from symptom onset to thrombolysis were 146 min in the MSU group and 204 min in the EMS group, while median times from ambulance alert to computed tomography (CT) completion were 53 and 128 min, respectively. Hospitalization charges averaged approximately $3592 in the MSU group and $4800 in the EMS group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that 5G MSU care significantly reduces the time from symptom onset to stroke diagnosis and intravenous thrombolysis in patients with AIS, resulting in improved functional outcomes compared to EMS care. As China continues its deployment of 5G technology and other digital infrastructures, the adoption of 5G MSU care on a broader scale may eventually supplant traditional stroke treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zheng
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Yan Li
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Gangfeng Gu
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Junyao Jiang
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Zhao Chen
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Yang Fan
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Han Pei
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of NeurologyYa'an Peoples HospitalYa'anChina
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3
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Fladt J, Ospel JM, Singh N, Saver JL, Fisher M, Goyal M. Optimizing Patient-Centered Stroke Care and Research in the Prehospital Setting. Stroke 2023; 54:2453-2460. [PMID: 37548010 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.044169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, continuous technological advances and the availability of novel therapies have enabled treatment of more acute medical conditions than ever before. Many of these treatments, such as intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, are highly time sensitive. This has raised interest in shifting advanced acute care from hospitals to the prehospital setting. Key objectives of advanced prehospital stroke care may include (1) early targeted treatments in the prehospital setting, for example, intravenous thrombolysis for acute stroke, and (2) advanced prehospital diagnostics such as prehospital large vessel occlusion and intracranial hemorrhage detection, to help inform patient triage and potentially reduce subsequent workload in emergency departments. Major challenges that may hamper a swift transition to more advanced prehospital care are related to conducting clinical trials in the prehospital setting to provide sufficient evidence for emergency interventions, as well as ambulance design, infrastructure, emergency medical service personnel training and workload, and cost barriers. Utilizing new technologies such as telemedicine, mobile stroke units and portable diagnostic devices, customized software applications, and smart storage space management may help surmount these challenges and establish efficient, targeted care strategies that are achievable in the prehospital setting. In this article, we delineate the paradigm of shifting advanced stroke care to the prehospital setting and outline future directions in providing evidence-based, patient-centered prehospital care. While we use acute stroke as an illustrative example, these principles are not limited to stroke patients and can be applied to prehospital triage for any time-critical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Fladt
- Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Calgary Stroke Program, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada (J.F., J.M.O., M.G.)
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland (J.F.)
| | - Johanna M Ospel
- Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Calgary Stroke Program, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada (J.F., J.M.O., M.G.)
| | - Nishita Singh
- Department of Neurology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada (N.S.)
| | - Jeffrey L Saver
- Department of Neurology and Comprehensive Stroke Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (J.L.S.)
| | - Marc Fisher
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (M.F.)
| | - Mayank Goyal
- Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Calgary Stroke Program, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada (J.F., J.M.O., M.G.)
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Lucas-Noll J, Clua-Espuny JL, Lleixà-Fortuño M, Gavaldà-Espelta E, Queralt-Tomas L, Panisello-Tafalla A, Carles-Lavila M. The costs associated with stroke care continuum: a systematic review. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2023; 13:32. [PMID: 37193926 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-023-00439-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Stroke, a leading cause of death and long-term disability, has a considerable social and economic impact. It is imperative to investigate stroke-related costs. The main goal was to conduct a systematic literature review on the described costs associated with stroke care continuum to better understand the evolution of the economic burden and logistic challenges. This research used a systematic review method. We performed a search in PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalTrial.gov, Cochrane Reviews, and Google Scholar confined to publications from January 2012 to December 2021. Prices were adjusted using consumer price indices of the countries in the studies in the years the costs were incurred to 2021 Euros using the World Bank and purchasing power parity exchange rate in 2020 from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development with the XE Currency Data API. The inclusion criteria were all types of publications, including prospective cost studies, retrospective cost studies, database analyses, mathematical models, surveys, and cost-of-illness (COI) studies. Were excluded studies that (a) were not about stroke, (b) were editorials and commentaries, (c) were irrelevant after screening the title and abstract,(d) grey literature and non-academic studies, (e) reported cost indicators outside the scope of the review, (f) economic evaluations (i.e., cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit analyses); and (g) studies not meeting the population inclusion criteria. There may be risk of bias because the effects are dependent on the persons delivering the intervention. The results were synthetized by PRISMA method. A total of 724 potential abstracts were identified of which 25 articles were pulled for further investigation. The articles were classified into the following categories: 1)stroke primary prevention, 2) expenditures related to acute stroke care, 3) expenditures for post-acute strokes, and 4) global average stroke cost. The measured expenditures varied considerably among these studies with a global average cost from €610-€220,822.45. Given the great variability in the costs in different studies, we can conclude that we need to define a common system for assessing the costs of strokes. Possible limitations are related to clinical choices exposed to decision rules that trigger decisions alerts within stroke events in a clinical setting. This flowchart is based on the guidelines for acute ischemic stroke treatment but may not be applicable to all institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorgina Lucas-Noll
- Department of Primary Care, Institut Català de La Salut, Av. de Cristòfol Colom, 20, Tortosa, Tarragona, 43500, Spain.
- University Institute for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - José L Clua-Espuny
- Department of Primary Care, Institut Català de La Salut, Av. de Cristòfol Colom, 20, Tortosa, Tarragona, 43500, Spain
- University Institute for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Lleixà-Fortuño
- Department of Nursing, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ester Gavaldà-Espelta
- Department of Primary Care, Institut Català de La Salut, Av. de Cristòfol Colom, 20, Tortosa, Tarragona, 43500, Spain
- Department of Nursing, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Lluïsa Queralt-Tomas
- Department of Primary Care, Institut Català de La Salut, Av. de Cristòfol Colom, 20, Tortosa, Tarragona, 43500, Spain
- University Institute for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Panisello-Tafalla
- Department of Primary Care, Institut Català de La Salut, Av. de Cristòfol Colom, 20, Tortosa, Tarragona, 43500, Spain
- University Institute for Primary Health Care Research Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
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Bagot KL, Purvis T, Hancock S, Zhao H, Coote S, Easton D, Campbell BCV, Davis SM, Donnan GA, Foster S, Langenberg F, Smith K, Stephenson M, Bernard S, McGowan S, Yan B, Mitchell P, Middleton S, Cadilhac DA. Interdisciplinary interactions, social systems and technical infrastructure required for successful implementation of mobile stroke units: A qualitative process evaluation. J Eval Clin Pract 2023; 29:495-512. [PMID: 36648226 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mobile stroke units (MSUs) are increasingly being implemented to provide acute stroke care in the prehospital environment, but a comprehensive implementation evaluation has not been undertaken. AIM To identify successes and challenges in the pre- and initial operations of the first Australian MSU service from an interdisciplinary perspective. METHODS Process evaluation of the Melbourne MSU with a mixed-methods design. Purposive sampling targeted key stakeholder groups. Online surveys (administered June-September 2019) and semistructured interviews (October-November 2019) explored experiences. Directed content analysis (raters' agreement 85%) and thematic analysis results are presented using the Interactive Sociotechnical Analysis framework. RESULTS Participants representing executive/program operations, MSU clinicians and hospital-based clinicians completed 135 surveys and 38 interviews. Results converged, with major themes addressing successes and challenges: stakeholders, vehicle, knowledge, training/education, communication, work processes and working relationships. CONCLUSIONS Successes and challenges of establishing a new MSU service extend beyond technical, to include operational and social aspects across prehospital and hospital environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen L Bagot
- Public Health and Health Services Research, Stroke, The Florey Institute Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tara Purvis
- Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shaun Hancock
- Public Health and Health Services Research, Stroke, The Florey Institute Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Henry Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Austin Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Skye Coote
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damien Easton
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bruce C V Campbell
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Stroke Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steve M Davis
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Geoff A Donnan
- Public Health and Health Services Research, Stroke, The Florey Institute Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shane Foster
- Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Francesca Langenberg
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Discipline of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Stephenson
- Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Bernard
- Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Bernard Yan
- Department of Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandy Middleton
- St Vincent's Health Network Sydney, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Nursing Research Institute, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dominique A Cadilhac
- Public Health and Health Services Research, Stroke, The Florey Institute Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Stroke and Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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6
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Gao L, Parsons M, Churilov L, Zhao H, Campbell BCV, Yan B, Mitchell P, Coote S, Langenberg F, Smith K, Anderson D, Stephenson M, Davis SM, Donnan G, Easton D, Bivard A. Cost-effectiveness of tenecteplase versus alteplase for stroke thrombolysis evaluation trial in the ambulance. Eur Stroke J 2023; 8:448-455. [DOI: 10.1177/23969873231165086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Tenecteplase administered to patients with ischaemic stroke in a mobile stroke unit (MSU) has been shown to reduce the perfusion lesion volumes and result in ultra-early recovery. We now seek to assess the cost-effectiveness of tenecteplase in the MSU. Methods: A within-trial (TASTE-A) economic analysis and a model-based long-term cost-effectiveness analysis were performed. This post hoc within-trial economic analysis utilised the patient-level data (intention to treat, ITT) prospectively collected over the trial to calculate the difference in both healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs, estimated from modified Rankin scale score). A Markov microsimulation model was developed to simulate the long-term costs and benefits. Results: In total, there were 104 patients with ischaemic stroke randomised to tenecteplase ( n = 55) or alteplase ( n = 49) treatment groups, respectively in the TASTE-A trial. The ITT-based analysis showed that treatment with tenecteplase was associated with non-signficantly lower costs (A$28,903 vs A$40,150 ( p = 0.056)) and greater benefits (0.171 vs 0.158 ( p = 0.457)) than that for the alteplase group over the first 90 days post the index stroke. The long-term model showed that tenecteplase led to greater savings in costs (−A$18,610) and more health benefits (0.47 QALY or 0.31 LY gains). Tenecteplase-treated patients had reduced costs for rehospitalisation (−A$1464), nursing home care (−A$16,767) and nonmedical care (−A$620) per patient. Conclusions: Treatment of ischaemic stroke patients with tenecteplase appeared to be cost-effective and improve QALYs in the MSU setting based on Phase II data. The reduced total cost from tenecteplase was driven by savings from acute hospitalisation and reduce need for nursing home care.
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[Organization and costs of stroke care in outpatient settings: Systematic review]. Aten Primaria 2023; 55:102578. [PMID: 36773416 PMCID: PMC9941369 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2023.102578] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the bibliography on stroke costs (ICD-10 code I63) in the field of primary care. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCES PubMed/Medline, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Reviews, EconLit, and Ovid/Embase between 01/01/2012-12/31/2021 with descriptors included in Medical Subject Heading (MeSH). SELECTION OF STUDIES Those with a description of the costs of activities carried out in the out-of-hospital setting. Systematic reviews were included; prospective and retrospective observational studies; analysis of databases and total or partial costs of stroke as a disease (COI). Articles were added using the snowball method. The studies were excluded because: a) not specifically related to stroke; b) in editorial or commentary format; c) irrelevant after review of the title and abstract; and d) gray literature and non-academic studies were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION They were assigned a level of evidence according to the GRADE levels. Direct and indirect cost data were collected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Thirty studies, of which 14 (46.6%) were related to post-stroke costs and 12 (40%) to cardiovascular prevention costs. The results show that most of them are retrospective analyzes of different databases of short-term hospital care, and do not allow a detailed analysis of the costs by different segments of services. The possibilities for improvement are centered on primary and secondary prevention, selection and pre-hospital transfer, early discharge with support, and social and health care.
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Agrawal D, Dhillon P, Siow I, Lee KS, Spooner O, Yeo L, Bhogal P. Prehospital technologies for early stroke detection - A review. Interv Neuroradiol 2023:15910199231152372. [PMID: 36654460 DOI: 10.1177/15910199231152372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The rate of neural circuitry loss in a typical large vessel occlusion well emphasizes that 'Time is Brain'. Every untreated minute in a large vessel ischaemic stroke results in loss of 1.9 million neurons and 13.8 billion synapses. As such, it is essential to optimize the flow-limiting steps in delivering the current standard of care. The current diagnostic model involves recognition of symptoms by patients, followed by access to Emergency Medical Services and subsequent physical examination and neuroimaging in the Emergency Department. With more than 50% of stroke patients using Emergency Medical Services as the first point of care contact, it can be deduced that the outcome of the 'stroke chain of survival' can be improved by addressing the bottleneck of prehospital stroke diagnosis. Here we present a review of the existing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepsha Agrawal
- Department of Radiology, 6397Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Permesh Dhillon
- Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, 105590Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Isabel Siow
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Oliver Spooner
- Department of Stroke Medicine, 112001The Royal London Hospital, Barts NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Leonard Yeo
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Pervinder Bhogal
- Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, 112001The Royal London Hospital, Barts NHS Trust, London, UK
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Rink JS, Froelich MF, Nour M, Saver JL, Szabo K, Hoyer C, Fassbender KC, Schoenberg SO, Tollens F. Lifetime economic potential of mobile stroke units in acute stroke care: A model-based analysis of the drivers of cost-effectiveness. J Telemed Telecare 2022:1357633X221140951. [PMID: 36484406 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x221140951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To simulate patient-level costs, analyze the economic potential of telemedicine-based mobile stroke units for acute prehospital stroke care, and identify major determinants of cost-effectiveness, based on two recent prospective trials from the United States and Germany. METHODS A Markov decision model was developed to simulate lifetime costs and outcomes of mobile stroke unit. The model compares diagnostic and therapeutic pathways of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and stroke mimic patients by conventional care or by mobile stroke units. The treatment outcomes were derived from the B_PROUD and the BEST-mobile stroke unit trials and further input parameters were derived from recent literature. Uncertainty was addressed by deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. A lifetime horizon based on the US healthcare system was adopted to evaluate different cost thresholds for mobile stroke unit and the resulting cost-effectiveness. Willingness-to-pay thresholds were set at 1x and 3x gross domestic product per capita, as recommended by the World Health Organization. RESULTS In the base case scenario, mobile stroke unit care yielded an incremental gain of 0.591 quality-adjusted life years per dispatch. Mobile stroke unit was highly cost-effective up to a maximum average cost of 43,067 US dollars per patient. Sensitivity analyses revealed that MSU cost-effectiveness is mainly affected by reduction of long-term disability costs. Also, among other parameters, the rate of stroke mimics patients diagnosed by MSU plays an important role. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that mobile stroke unit can possibly be operated on an excellent level of cost-effectiveness in urban areas in North America with number of stroke mimic patients and long-term stroke survivor costs as major determinants of lifetime cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann S Rink
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 36642University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Mannheim, BW, Germany
| | - Matthias F Froelich
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 36642University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Mannheim, BW, Germany
| | - May Nour
- Departments of Neurology and Radiology, 21767Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Saver
- Department of Neurology, UCLA Stroke Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristina Szabo
- Department of Neurology, 36642University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, Mannheim, BW, Germany
| | - Carolin Hoyer
- Department of Neurology, 36642University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, Mannheim, BW, Germany
| | - Klaus C Fassbender
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Stefan O Schoenberg
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 36642University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Mannheim, BW, Germany
| | - Fabian Tollens
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 36642University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Mannheim, BW, Germany
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10
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Navi BB, Audebert HJ, Alexandrov AW, Cadilhac DA, Grotta JC. Mobile Stroke Units: Evidence, Gaps, and Next Steps. Stroke 2022; 53:2103-2113. [PMID: 35331008 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.037376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mobile stroke units (MSUs) are specialized ambulances equipped with the personnel, equipment, and imaging capability to diagnose and treat acute stroke in the prehospital setting. Over the past decade, MSUs have proliferated throughout the world, particularly in European and US cities, culminating in the formation of an international consortium. Randomized trials have demonstrated that MSUs increase stroke thrombolysis rates and reduce onset-to-treatment times but until recently it was uncertain if these advantages would translate into better patient outcomes. In 2021, 2 pivotal, large, controlled clinical trials, B_PROUD and BEST-MSU, demonstrated that as compared with conventional emergency care, treatment aboard MSUs was safe and led to improved functional outcomes in patients with stroke. Further, the observed benefit of MSUs appeared to be primarily driven by the higher frequency of ultra-early thrombolysis within the golden hour. Nevertheless, questions remain regarding the cost-effectiveness of MSUs, their utility in nonurban settings, and optimal infrastructure. In addition, in much of the world, MSUs are currently not reimbursed by insurers nor accepted as standard care by regulatory bodies. As MSUs are now established as one of the few proven acute stroke interventions with an effect size that is comparable to that of intravenous thrombolysis and stroke units, stroke leaders and organizations should work with emergency medical services, governments, and community stakeholders to determine how MSUs might benefit individual communities, and their optimal organization and financing. Future research to explore the effect of MSUs on intracranial hemorrhage and thrombectomy outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and novel models including the use of rendezvous transports, helicopters, and advanced neuroimaging is ongoing. Recommended next steps for MSUs include reimbursement by insurers, integration with ambulance networks, recognition by program accreditors, and inclusion in registries that monitor care quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak B Navi
- Department of Neurology and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital' New York (B.B.N.)
| | - Heinrich J Audebert
- Department of Neurology, Center for Stroke Research, Charite-Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (H.J.A.)
| | | | - Dominique A Cadilhac
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia (D.A.C.)
| | - James C Grotta
- Clinical Innovation and Research Institute, Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, Houston
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11
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Chen J, Lin X, Cai Y, Huang R, Yang S, Zhang G. A Systematic Review of Mobile Stroke Unit Among Acute Stroke Patients: Time Metrics, Adverse Events, Functional Result and Cost-Effectiveness. Front Neurol 2022; 13:803162. [PMID: 35356455 PMCID: PMC8959845 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.803162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundMobile stroke unit (MSU) is deployed to shorten the duration of ischemic stroke recognition to thrombolysis treatment, thus reducing disability, mortality after an acute stroke attack, and related economic burden. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review of the clinical trial and economic literature focusing on various outcomes of MSU compared with conventional emergency medical services (EMS).MethodsAn electronic search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials) from 1990 to 2021. In these trials, patients with acute stroke were assigned to receive either MSU or EMS, with clinical and economic outcomes. First, we extracted interested data in the pooled population and conducted a subgroup analysis to examine related heterogeneity. We then implemented a descriptive analysis of economic outcomes. All analyses were performed with R 4.0.1 software.ResultsA total of 22,766 patients from 16 publications were included. In total 7,682 (n = 33.8%) were treated in the MSU and 15,084 (n = 66.2%) in the conventional EMS. Economic analysis were available in four studies, of which two were based on trial data and the others on model simulations. The pooled analysis of time metrics indicated a mean reduction of 32.64 min (95% confidence interval: 23.38–41.89, p < 0.01) and 28.26 minutes (95% CI: 16.11–40.41, p < 0.01) in the time-to-therapy and time-to-CT completion, respectively in the MSU. However, there was no significant difference on stroke-related neurological events (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.70–1.27, p = 0.69) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.83–1.50, p = 0.48) between the MSU and EMS. The proportion of patients with modified Ranking scale (mRS) of 0–2 at 90 days from onset was higher in the MSU than EMS (p < 0.05). MSU displayed favorable benefit-cost ratios (2.16–6.85) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ($31,911 /QALY and $38,731 per DALY) comparing to EMS in multiple economic publications. Total cost data based on 2014 USD showed that the MSU has the highest cost in Australia ($1,410,708) and the lowest cost in the USA ($783,463).ConclusionA comprehensive analysis of current research suggests that MUS, compared with conventional EMS, has a better performance in terms of time metrics, safety, long-term medical benefits, and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyun Chen
- Quanzhou First Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Jieyun Chen
| | - Xiaoying Lin
- Quanzhou First Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Yali Cai
- Quanzhou First Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Risheng Huang
- Quanzhou First Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Songyu Yang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Gaofeng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
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12
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Walter S, Audebert HJ, Katsanos AH, Larsen K, Sacco S, Steiner T, Turc G, Tsivgoulis G. European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines on mobile stroke units for prehospital stroke management. Eur Stroke J 2022; 7:XXVII-LIX. [PMID: 35300251 PMCID: PMC8921783 DOI: 10.1177/23969873221079413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The safety and efficacy of mobile stroke units (MSUs) in prehospital stroke management has recently been investigated in different clinical studies. MSUs are ambulances equipped with a CT scanner, point-of-care lab, telemedicine and are staffed with a stroke specialised medical team. This European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guideline provides an up-to-date evidence-based recommendation to assist decision-makers in their choice on using MSUs for prehospital management of suspected stroke, which includes patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS), intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and stroke mimics. The guidelines were developed according to the ESO standard operating procedure and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. The working group identified relevant clinical questions, performed systematic reviews and aggregated data meta-analyses of the literature, assessed the quality of the available evidence and made specific recommendations. Expert consensus statements are provided where sufficient evidence was not available to provide recommendations based on the GRADE approach. We found moderate evidence for suggesting MSU management for patients with suspected stroke. The patient group diagnosed with AIS shows an improvement of functional outcomes at 90 days, reduced onset to treatment times and increased proportion receiving IVT within 60 min from onset. MSU management might be beneficial for patients with ICH as MSU management was associated with a higher proportion of ICH patients being primarily transported to tertiary care stroke centres. No safety concerns (all-cause mortality, proportion of stroke mimics treated with IVT, symptomatic intracranial bleeding and major extracranial bleeding) could be identified for all patients managed with a MSU compared to conventional care. We suggest MSU management to improve prehospital management of suspected stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Walter
- Department of Neurology, Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany
| | - Heinrich J Audebert
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aristeidis H Katsanos
- Division of Neurology, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Karianne Larsen
- The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Simona Sacco
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Thorsten Steiner
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Frankfurt Höchst, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guillaume Turc
- Department of Neurology, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM U1266, Paris, France
- FHU Neurovasc, Paris, France
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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13
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Kandimalla J, Vellipuram AR, Rodriguez G, Maud A, Cruz-Flores S, Khatri R. Role of Telemedicine in Prehospital Stroke Care. Curr Cardiol Rep 2021; 23:71. [PMID: 33970356 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-021-01473-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize evidence for the feasibility and the efficacy of mobile stroke units (MSUs) and telemedicine in the field to reduce time delays in offering acute stroke interventions. RECENT FINDINGS A mobile stroke unit is a modified ambulance and includes sophisticated equipment, either trained personnel on board, or connection with skilled physicians via telemedicine. Stroke assessment and treatment agreeability between the on board and remote neurologist is high in MSUs. MSUs are the promising option to reduce stroke symptom onset to treatment time; telemedicine platform has a satisfactory audiovisual quality, high inter-rater reliability for remote stroke symptom assessment, diagnosis, and decision to treat. Use of MSU also avoids the need for inter-hospital transfers. MSUs improve prehospital stroke care and reduce delays in access to intravenous thrombolytic and mechanical thrombectomy in selective markets. Advancement in telecommunication and modern technology has the potential to make MSU telemedicine-aided management more cost-effective. Further research is needed before its widespread implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jithendhar Kandimalla
- Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Anantha R Vellipuram
- Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Gustavo Rodriguez
- Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Alberto Maud
- Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Salvador Cruz-Flores
- Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA
| | - Rakesh Khatri
- Department of Neurology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79905, USA.
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Kim J, Easton D, Zhao H, Coote S, Sookram G, Smith K, Stephenson M, Bernard S, W Parsons M, Yan B, M Desmond P, J Mitchell P, Cv Campbell B, Donnan GA, M Davis S, Cadilhac DA. Economic evaluation of the Melbourne Mobile Stroke Unit. Int J Stroke 2020; 16:466-475. [PMID: 32536328 DOI: 10.1177/1747493020929944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Melbourne Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) is the first Australian service to provide prehospital acute stroke treatment, including thrombolysis and facilitated triage for endovascular thrombectomy. AIMS To estimate the cost-effectiveness of the MSU during the first full year of operation compared with standard ambulance and hospital stroke care pathways (standard care). METHODS The costs and benefits of the Melbourne MSU were estimated using an economic simulation model. Operational costs and service utilization data were obtained from the MSU financial and patient tracking reports. The health benefits were estimated as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) avoided using local data on reperfusion therapy and estimates from the published literature on their effectiveness. Costs were presented in Australian dollars. The robustness of results was assessed using multivariable (model inputs varied simultaneously: 10,000 Monte Carlo iterations) and various one-way sensitivity analyses. RESULTS In 2018, the MSU was dispatched to 1244 patients during 200 days of operation. Overall, 167 patients were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke, and 58 received thrombolysis, endovascular thrombectomy, or both. We estimated 27.94 DALYs avoided with earlier access to endovascular thrombectomy (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.30 to 35.93) and 16.90 DALYs avoided with improvements in access to thrombolysis (95% CI 9.05 to 24.68). The MSU was estimated to cost an additional $30,982 per DALY avoided (95% CI $21,142 to $47,517) compared to standard care. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that the introduction of MSU is cost-effective when compared with standard care due to earlier provision of reperfusion therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joosup Kim
- Stroke & Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, 2541Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Damien Easton
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,95917Ambulance Victoria, Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia
| | - Henry Zhao
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,95917Ambulance Victoria, Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia
| | - Skye Coote
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Garveeta Sookram
- Stroke & Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, 2541Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Karen Smith
- 95917Ambulance Victoria, Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, 2541Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Department of Paramedicine, 2541Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Michael Stephenson
- 95917Ambulance Victoria, Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, 2541Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Department of Paramedicine, 2541Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Stephen Bernard
- 95917Ambulance Victoria, Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, 2541Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mark W Parsons
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bernard Yan
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patricia M Desmond
- Department of Radiology, the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Mitchell
- Department of Radiology, the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bruce Cv Campbell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,95917Ambulance Victoria, Blackburn North, Victoria, Australia
| | - Geoffrey A Donnan
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen M Davis
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the 90134Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dominique A Cadilhac
- Stroke & Ageing Research, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, 2541Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
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