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OBJECTIVES: Prior to our study, little was known about factors related to time-to-treatment for stroke pre- and post-COVID-19. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study to evaluate factors associated with delayed door-to-needle time among patients with acute ischemic stroke over two time-periods. RESULTS: Final sample consisted of 932 charts with mean age of 68.1(±15.6). Significant factors associated with shorter door-to-needle time included ≤ four hours since symptom onset and stroke occurring during post-Covid-19 time-period. Those on anti-coagulants had 72 % higher odds of longer door-to-needle time. As patients got older and stroke symptoms were more severe, less time was spent in door-to-imaging. CONCLUSION: Results highlight the importance of early recognition of stroke symptoms and rapid transport to the hospital. Faster response times in post-Covid-19 time-period may be attributable to systematic processes put in place to address pandemic-related challenges. Outcomes may depend on research to identify gaps in stroke treatment.
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COVID-19 , Accidente Cerebrovascular Isquémico , Accidente Cerebrovascular , Humanos , Anciano , Estudios Retrospectivos , Terapia Trombolítica/métodos , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Door-to-needle time (DNT) is a key factor in acute stroke treatment success. We retrospectively analysed the effects of a new protocol aimed at reducing treatment delays in our single-centre observational series over a 1-year period (from October 1st 2021 to September 30th 2022). METHODS: The time frame was divided into two semesters as a new protocol was started at the beginning of the second semester to ensure a rapid evaluation, imaging, and intravenous thrombolysis in all stroke patients attending our spoke-hospital serving 200,000 inhabitants. Logistics and outcome measures were obtained for each patient and compared before and after implementation of the new protocol. RESULTS: A total of 215 patients with ischemic stroke attended our hospital within a 1-year period (109 in the first semester, 96 in the second semester). Seventeen percent and 21% of all patients underwent acute stroke thrombolysis in the first and second semesters, respectively. DNTs were strongly reduced in the second semester (from 90 to 55 min), bringing this value below the Italian and European benchmarks. This resulted in better short-term outcomes (an average of 20%) as measured by both Δ NIHSS scores at 24 h and at discharge with respect to baseline.
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Accidente Cerebrovascular , Terapia Trombolítica , Humanos , Niño , Terapia Trombolítica/métodos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Benchmarking , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Hospitales , Resultado del Tratamiento , Tiempo de Tratamiento , Fibrinolíticos , Activador de Tejido Plasminógeno/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Background: Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) has revolutionized the management of acute ischemic stroke. Shorter door-to-imaging and door-to-needle (DTN) times are crucial for improving the outcomes in thrombolysed patients. Our observational study evaluated the door-to-imaging time (DIT) and DTN times for all thrombolysed patients. Materials and methods: The study was a cross-sectional observational study over a period of 18 months at a tertiary care teaching hospital and included 252 acute ischemic stroke patients of which 52 underwent thrombolysis with rtPA. The time intervals between arrival to neuroimaging and initiation of thrombolysis were noted. Result: Of the total patients thrombolysed, only 10 patients underwent neuroimaging [non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) head with MRI brain screen] within 30 minutes of their arrival in the hospital, 38 patients within 30-60 minutes and 2 each within the 61-90 and 91-120 minute time frames. The DTN time was 30-60 minutes for 3 patients, while 31 patients were thrombolysed within 61-90 minutes, 7 patients within 91-120 minutes, while 5 each took 121-150 and 151-180 minutes for the same. One patient had a DTN between 181 and 210 minutes. Conclusion: Most patients included in the study underwent neuroimaging within 60 minutes and subsequent thrombolysis within 60-90 minutes of their arrival in the hospital. But the time frames did not meet the recommended ideal intervals, and further streamlining of stroke management is needed even at tertiary care centers in India. How to cite this article: Shah A, Diwan A. Stroke Thrombolysis: Beating the Clock. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(2):107-110.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rapid access to acute stroke treatment improves clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. We aimed to shorten the time to admission and to acute stroke treatment for patients with acute stroke in the Hamburg metropolitan area by collaborative multilevel measures involving all hospitals with stroke units, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and health-care authorities. METHODS: In 2007, an area-wide stroke care quality project was initiated. The project included mandatory admission of all stroke patients in Hamburg exclusively to hospitals with stroke units, harmonized acute treatment algorithms among all hospitals, repeated training of the EMS staff, a multimedia educational campaign, and a mandatory stroke care quality monitoring system based on structured data assessment and quality indicators for procedural measures. We analyzed data of all patients with acute stroke who received inhospital treatment in the city of Hamburg during the evaluation period from the quality assurance database data and evaluated trends of key quality indicators over time. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2016, a total of 83,395 patients with acute stroke were registered. During this period, the proportion of patients admitted within ≤3 h from symptom onset increased over time from 27.8% in 2007 to 35.2% in 2016 (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients who received rapid thrombolysis (within ≤30 min after admission) increased from 7.7 to 54.1% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative stroke care quality projects are suitable and effective to improve acute stroke care.
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Isquemia Encefálica , Servicios Médicos de Urgencia , Accidente Cerebrovascular , Isquemia Encefálica/tratamiento farmacológico , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Indicadores de Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Terapia Trombolítica , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Door to needle (DTN) time provides valuable insight into stroke care workflow and is a performance indicator of an acute stroke unit. The aim of the current study was to ascertain whether a door to needle time of less than 60 min can be achieved for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and maintained long term in a comprehensive stroke unit. METHODS: Patients with AIS treated with IVT in the stroke unit formed the study group. Demographic and clinical characteristics including door to imaging (DTI) time, DTN time, and 3 month functional outcome were abstracted. Pairwise comparison was done of yearly median DTI and DTN times with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Over a period of 6 years a total of 196 patients with mean age of 61.5 ± 13.1 years and median (IQR) NIHSS 11 (8-16) underwent IVT. The median DTI time and DTN time over the study period was 15 (12-21) minutes and 40 (30-50) minutes respectively. A total of 90.1%, 69.4% and 29.1% patients received IVT within 60 min, 45 min and 30 min respectively. On pairwise comparison of the median yearly DTN Year 2016 and 2017 were lower compared to most of the earlier years (p < 0.0001). Good functional outcome (mRS ≤ 2) was noted in 68.7% patients at 3 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: It is possible to sustainably reduce DTN time for IVT in AIS to well below the current 60 min benchmark with hospital system training and teamwork.
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Isquemia Encefálica/terapia , Fibrinolíticos/administración & dosificación , Accidente Cerebrovascular/terapia , Terapia Trombolítica/métodos , Tiempo de Tratamiento/normas , Administración Intravenosa , Anciano , Benchmarking , Femenino , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapéutico , Hospitales , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Flujo de TrabajoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in the Middle-East and North African (MENA) countries is still confined to the main urban and university hospitals. This was a prospective observational study to examine outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis-treated stroke patients in the MENA region compared to the non-MENA stroke cohort in the SITS International Registry. RESULTS: Of 32,160 patients with ischemic stroke registered using the SITS intravenous thrombolysis protocol between June 2014 and May 2016, 500 (1.6%) were recruited in MENA. Compared to non-MENA (all p < 0.001), median age in MENA was 55 versus 73 years, NIH Stroke Scale score 12 versus 9, onset-to-treatment time 138 versus 155 min and door-to-needle time 54 min versus 64 min. Hypertension was the most reported risk factor, but lower in MENA (51.7 vs. 69.7%). Diabetes was more frequent in MENA (28.5 vs. 20.8%) as well as smoking (20.8 vs. 15.9%). Hyperlipidemia was less observed in MENA (17.6 vs. 29.3%). Functional independence (mRS 0-2) at seven days or discharge was similar (53% vs. 52% in non-MENA), with mortality slightly lower in MENA (2.3% vs. 4.8%). SICH rates by SITS-MOST definition were low (<1.4%) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous thrombolysis patients in MENA were younger, had more severe strokes and more often diabetes. Although stroke severity was higher in MENA, short-term functional independency and mortality were not worse compared to non-MENA, which could partly be explained by younger age and shorter OTT in MENA. Decreasing the burden of stroke in this young population should be prioritized.
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Isquemia Encefálica , Accidente Cerebrovascular , África del Norte , Anciano , Isquemia Encefálica/tratamiento farmacológico , Isquemia Encefálica/epidemiología , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Sistema de Registros , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Accidente Cerebrovascular/epidemiología , Terapia Trombolítica , Activador de Tejido Plasminógeno/uso terapéutico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Based on data from the Baden-Wuerttemberg stroke registry, we aimed to explore the diurnal variation of acute ischemic stroke (IS) care delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 92,530 IS patients were included, of whom 37,471 (40%) presented within an onset-to-door time ≤4.5 h. Daytime was stratified in 3-h time intervals and working vs. non-working hours. Stroke onset and hospital admission time, rate of door-to-neurological examination time ≤30 min, onset-/door-to-imaging time IV thrombolysis (IVT) rates, and onset-/door-to-needle time were determined. Multivariable regression models were used stratified by stroke onset and hospital admission time to assess the relationship between IVT rates, quality performance parameters, and daytime. The time interval 0:00 h to 3:00 h and working hours, respectively, were taken as reference. RESULTS: The IVT rate of the whole study population was strongly associated with the sleep-wake cycle. In patients presenting within the 4.5-h time window and potentially eligible for IVT stratification by hospital admission time identified two time intervals with lower IVT rates. First, between 3:01 h and 6:00 h (IVT rate 18%) and likely attributed to in-hospital delays with the lowest diurnal rate of door-to-neurological examination time ≤30 min and the longest door-to-needle time Second, between 6:01 h and 15:00 h (IVT rate 23-25%) compared to the late afternoon and evening hours (IVT rate 27-29%) due to a longer onset-to-imaging time and door-to-imaging time. No evidence for a compromised stroke service during non-working hours was observed. CONCLUSION: The analysis provides evidence that acute IS care is subject to diurnal variation which may affect stroke outcome. An optimization of IS care aiming at constantly high IVT rates over the course of the day therefore appears desirable.
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BACKGROUND: Time to treatment remains the most important factor in acute ischemic stroke prognosis. We quantified the effect of new interventions reducing in-hospital delays in acute stroke management and assessed its repercussion on door-to-imaging (DTI), imaging-to-needle (ITN), and door-to-needle (DTN) times. METHODS: Prospective registry of consecutive stroke patients who were candidates for reperfusion therapy attended in a tertiary care hospital from February 1 to December 31, 2014. A series of measures aimed at reducing in-hospital delays were implemented. We compared DTI, ITN, and DTN times between patients who underwent the interventions and those who did not. RESULTS: 231 patients. DTI time was lower when personal history was reviewed and tests were ordered before patient arrival (2.5 minutes saved, P = .016) and when electrocardiogram was not made (5.4 minutes saved, P < .001). Not performing a computed tomography angiography and not waiting for coagulation results from laboratory before intravenous thrombolysis (25.5%) reduced ITN time significantly (14 and 12 minutes saved, respectively, P < .001). These interventions remained as independent predictors of a shorter ITN and DTN time. Completing all steps resulted in the lowest DTI and ITN times (13 and 19 minutes, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Every measure is an important part of a chain focused on saving time in acute stroke: the lowest DTI and ITN times were obtained when all steps were completed. Measures shortening ITN time produced a greater impact on DTN time reduction; therefore, ITN interventions should be considered a critical part of new protocols and guidelines.
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Isquemia Encefálica/terapia , Vías Clínicas/organización & administración , Prestación Integrada de Atención de Salud/organización & administración , Fibrinolíticos/administración & dosificación , Evaluación de Procesos, Atención de Salud/organización & administración , Accidente Cerebrovascular/terapia , Terapia Trombolítica , Tiempo de Tratamiento/organización & administración , Flujo de Trabajo , Administración Intravenosa , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Isquemia Encefálica/diagnóstico por imagen , Isquemia Encefálica/fisiopatología , Angiografía Cerebral/métodos , Angiografía por Tomografía Computarizada , Eficiencia Organizacional , Electrocardiografía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Organizacionales , Grupo de Atención al Paciente/organización & administración , Sistema de Registros , Accidente Cerebrovascular/diagnóstico por imagen , Accidente Cerebrovascular/fisiopatología , Centros de Atención Terciaria , Factores de Tiempo , Estudios de Tiempo y Movimiento , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Introducción: El ataque cerebrovascular (ACV) isquémico es una patología frecuente, con una prevalencia de 500-600 por 100.000 personas en población blanca y una tasa de 5,54 millones de muertes al año. La terapia trombolítica mejora el pronóstico a largo plazo del ACV cuando es usada dentro de las 4,5 horas de ingreso. El uso de vía clínica ha demostrado reducir los tiempos de atención en patologías con un tratamiento específico como el ACV. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de la implementación de una vía clínica para la atención de los pacientes con ACV hiperagudo en la reducción del tiempo puerta-tomografía de cráneo (TAC) simple. Materiales y métodos: Estudio del antes y después de la implementación de una vía clínica para la atención de los pacientes con ACV hiperagudo en el servicio de urgencias. Se midieron las variables demográficas y los intervalos de tiempo puerta-TAC, puerta-valoración por neurología y puerta-trombolisis. Resultados: La media de edad antes fue de 68,8 años (DE 13), y después, de 70 años (DE 12). La mediana (RIQ) de tiempo puerta-TAC simple fue de 33 (18,5-54) minutos antes y 6,5 (-9 - 30) después. La mediana (RIQ) del tiempo ingreso - val. neurología 90 (16-116) antes y 38 (11,5-110) después. La mediana (RIQ) del tiempo ingreso - trombolisis fue 74 (53-119) antes y 86 (45-100) después. Aumentó el porcentaje de pacientes con ecocardiograma y doppler de carótidas solicitados al ingreso. El porcentaje de pacientes llevados a terapia trombolítica fue similar. Conclusión: la implementación de una vía clínica reduce el tiempo puerta-TAC simple, encontrándose una diferencia estadística (p: 0,017) entre las medianas de tiempo antes y después.
Introduction: The Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) is pathology with an approximate prevalence of 500-600 per 100,000 people in white population and a rate to 5.54 million deaths annually. The thrombolytic therapy within 4.5 hours improvement the ACV long-term prognosis. The use of clinical pathways has demonstrated reduce the attention time in pathologies with specific treatment like ACV. Objective: To determine the effect of implementing the pathway for patients' care with hyperacute ischemic stroke in reducing door-to-imaging time. Materials and methods: Study before and after implementation of the pathway for patients' care with hyperacute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the emergency department. Demographic variables and time intervals of door-to-imaging time, door to neurology evaluation and door-to- needle-time were measured. Results: The mean age was 68.8 years (SD13) before and 70 years (SD 12) after. The median (IQR) door-to-imaging time was 33 (18.5-54) minutes before and 6,5 (-9-30) after p: 0,017. The median (IQR) door to - neurology evaluation was 90 (16-116) before and 38 (11.5-110) after. The median (IQR) door-to thrombolysis time was 74 (53-119) before and 86 (45-100) after. The percentage of patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy was similar. Conclusion: The implementing the pathway for patients' care with hyperacute ischemic stroke in reduces door-to-imaging time.
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Tiempo , Tomografía , Accidente CerebrovascularRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Brain imaging is logistically the most difficult step before thrombolysis. To improve door-to-needle time (DNT), it is important to understand if (1) longer door-to-imaging time (DIT) results in longer DNT, (2) hospitals have different DIT performances, and (3) patient and hospital characteristics predict DIT. METHODS: Prospectively collected data in the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke-EAST (SITS-EAST) registry from Central/Eastern European countries between 2008 and 2011 were analyzed. Hospital characteristics were obtained by questionnaire from each center. Patient- and hospital-level predictors of DIT of 25 minutes or less were identified by the method of generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Altogether 6 of 9 SITS-EAST countries participated with 4212 patients entered into the database of which 3631 (86%) had all required variables. DIT of 25 minutes or less was achieved in 2464 (68%) patients (range, 3%-93%; median, 65%; and interquartile range, 50%-80% between centers). Patients with DIT of 25 minutes or less had shorter DNT (median, 60 minutes) than patients with DIT of more than 25 minutes (median, 86 minutes; P < .001). Four variables independently predicted DIT of 25 minutes or less: longer time from stroke onset to admission (91-180 versus 0-90 minutes; odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-1.8), transport time of 5 minutes or less (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7-4.7) between the place of admission and a computed tomography (CT) scanner, no or minimal neurologic deficit before stroke (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.02-1.5), and diabetes mellitus (OR, .8; 95% CI, .7-.97). CONCLUSIONS: DIT should be improved in patients arriving early and late. Place of admission should allow transport time to a CT scanner under 5 minutes.