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Masouris I, Kellert L, Müller R, Fuhry L, Hamann GF, Rémi JM, Schöberl F. Performance and clinical outcomes in telestroke remain robust during the COVID-pandemic: insight into the NEVAS network. J Neurol 2024; 271:6045-6055. [PMID: 39033262 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12578-9] [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] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on global healthcare, including stroke management. Telemedical stroke networks have emerged with positive results for patient outcome in rural areas without stroke expertise. However, telestroke faced enormous on-site challenges during the pandemic. So far, data on performance and clinical outcomes in telestroke settings during the COVID-pandemic are scarce. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from stroke patients treated in four spoke hospitals of the Bavarian telestroke network NEVAS in 2020-2021 and 2019 as reference year and compared the 3 years for various parameters. Primary outcome was functional outcome according to the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Secondary outcome parameters included time intervals, periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage rates, and mortality. RESULTS In 2019-2021, 2820 patients were treated for acute ischemic stroke with an admission decrease of 10% during the pandemic. Of those, 241 received only IVT and 204 were transferred to our center for MT. Door-to-imaging, door-to-needle, and symptom-onset-to-groin times remained comparable in the 3 years. Complication rates remained at a low level. Good clinical outcome rates (mRS 0-2) at discharge remained stable for all stroke patients (82-84%) and for those treated with IVT (64-77%). Good clinical outcome rates at 3 month follow-up for MT patients declined in 2020 (23% vs. 35% in 2019) but recovered again in 2021 (42%). Mortality rates did not increase for all patient groups analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Stroke care remained robust during the COVID-pandemic within our network, indicating that well-established telestroke networks can overcome unexpected critical challenges such as a pandemic, guaranteeing best practice stroke care in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Masouris
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - L Kellert
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - R Müller
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Bezirkskrankenhaus Guenzburg, Guenzburg, Germany
| | - L Fuhry
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt, Germany
| | - G F Hamann
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Bezirkskrankenhaus Guenzburg, Guenzburg, Germany
| | - J M Rémi
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - F Schöberl
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
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Liu L, Zhou C, Jiang H, Wei H, Zhou Y, Zhou C, Ji X. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of Coronavirus disease 2019-associated stroke. Front Med 2023; 17:1047-1067. [PMID: 38165535 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1041-7] [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] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has triggered a huge impact on healthcare, socioeconomics, and other aspects of the world over the past three years. An increasing number of studies have identified a complex relationship between COVID-19 and stroke, although active measures are being implemented to prevent disease transmission. Severe COVID-19 may be associated with an increased risk of stroke and increase the rates of disability and mortality, posing a serious challenge to acute stroke diagnosis, treatment, and care. This review aims to provide an update on the influence of COVID-19 itself or vaccines on stroke, including arterial stroke (ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke) and venous stroke (cerebral venous thrombosis). Additionally, the neurovascular mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and the clinical characteristics of stroke in the COVID-19 setting are presented. Evidence on vaccinations, potential therapeutic approaches, and effective strategies for stroke management has been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100032, China
- Neurology and Intracranial Hypertension and Cerebral Venous Disease Center, National Health Commission of China, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100032, China
| | - Chenxia Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100032, China
- Neurology and Intracranial Hypertension and Cerebral Venous Disease Center, National Health Commission of China, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100032, China
| | - Huimin Jiang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Huimin Wei
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100038, China.
| | - Xunming Ji
- Neurology and Intracranial Hypertension and Cerebral Venous Disease Center, National Health Commission of China, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100032, China.
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100032, China.
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Harahsheh E, English SW, Hrdlicka CM, Demaerschalk B. Telestroke’s Role Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2022; 24:589-603. [PMID: 35999901 PMCID: PMC9388966 DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00737-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review The goal of this paper is to discuss the role and utilization of telestroke services through the COVID-19 pandemic and to suggest future directions to sustain and increase patients’ access to stroke expertise. Recent findings Telestroke is an innovative and effective tool that has been shown to improve access, quality of care, and outcomes of patients with acute stroke syndromes in resource-limited areas for the last two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge and strained healthcare systems worldwide, but it created novel and unique opportunities to expand and increase the utilization of telehealth and telestroke services to deliver personalized healthcare across the continuum of stroke care outside of traditional settings. This rapid and widespread increase in telestroke use was facilitated by the removal of many legislative and regulatory barriers which have limited patients’ access to stroke expertise for many years. Summary As the public health emergency ends, there exists a unique opportunity to optimize and expand upon the pandemic-related rapid growth of telestroke care. Optimal utilization of telehealth and telestroke services will depend on maintaining and improving required infrastructure, laws, and regulations, particularly those governing reimbursement and licensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Harahsheh
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 USA
| | | | - Courtney M. Hrdlicka
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 USA
| | - Bart Demaerschalk
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 USA
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