In-Hospital Versus Out-of-Hospital Stroke Onset Comparison of Process Metrics in a Community Primary Stroke Center.

Objective: To examine in-hospital stroke onset metrics and outcomes, quality of care, and mortality compared with out-of-hospital stroke in a single community-based primary stroke center. Patients and Methods: Medical records of in-hospital stroke onset were compared with out-of-hospital stroke onset alert data between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2019. Time-sensitive stroke process metric data were collected for each incident stroke alert. The primary focus of interest was the time-sensitive stroke quality metrics. Secondary focus pertained to thrombolysis treatment or complications, and mortality. Descriptive and univariable statistical analyses were applied. Kruskal-Wallis and χ2 tests were used to compare median values and categorical data between prespecified groups. The statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: The out-of-hospital group reported a more favorable response to time-sensitive stroke process metrics than the in-hospital group, as measured by median stroke team response time (15.0 vs 26.0 minutes; P≤.0001) and median head computed tomography scan completion time (12.0 vs 41.0 minutes; P=.0001). There was no difference in the stroke alert time between the 2 groups (14.0 vs 8.0 minutes; P=.089). Longer hospital length of stay (4 vs 3 days; P=.004) and increased hospital mortality (19.3% vs 7.4%; P=.0032) were observed for the in-hospital group. Conclusions: The key findings in this study were that time-sensitive stroke process metrics and stroke outcome measures were superior for the out-of-hospital groups compared with the in-hospital groups. Focusing on improving time-sensitive stroke process metrics may improve outcomes in the in-hospital stroke cohort.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Causing Transient Homonymous Hemianopia and Generalized Seizure: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Neurologic complications of hyperglycemia are common. Cases of seizures and hemianopia related to nonketotic hyperglycemia have been reported but are rare with diabetic ketoacidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis associated with generalized seizure and homonymous hemianopia, with a literature review of reported cases. DISCUSSION: Neurologic complications of hyperglycemia are many, but seizure with hemianopia is most commonly associated with nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemia rather than diabetic ketoacidosis. CONCLUSIONS: Generalized seizure and retrochiasmal visual field defect are known neurological complications of diabetic ketoacidosis. Like nonketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemia, these neurological symptoms are transient, and the structural changes in magnetic resonance imaging are usually reversible.

Telestroke in the Time of COVID-19: The Mayo Clinic Experience.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic, and in the weeks following, public health organizations, medical associations, and governing bodies throughout the world recommended limiting contact with others to "flatten the curve" of COVID-19. Although both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes have been reported with COVID-19, there has been anecdotal suggestion of an overall decrease in stroke admissions. To date, the effects of any pandemic on telestroke service lines have not been described. The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis of telestroke activations in the 30 days before and after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic is to describe the difference in case volumes of telestroke activations, the characteristics of patients, and treatment recommendations between the 2 time frames. We found a 50.0% reduction in total telestroke activations between the predeclaration group (142 patients) and the postdeclaration group (71 patients). There were no statistically significant differences in age (P=.95), sex (P=.10), diagnosis (P=.26), or regional variations (P=.08) in activation volumes. The percentage of patients for whom we recommended urgent stroke treatment with intravenous alteplase, mechanical thrombectomy, or both decreased from 44.4% (28 of 63) to 33.3% (11 of 33). The reasons for the sunstantial decrease in telestroke activations and urgent stroke treatment recommendations are likely multifactorial but nevertheless underscore the importance of continued public health measures to encourage patients and families to seek emergency medical care at the time of symptom onset.

Knowledge of Stroke Signs and Symptoms Among Residents in a Rural South Eastern Nigerian Community.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a global epidemic. Treatment is predicated on recognition of its signs and symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We collected data from 182 participants at a local 2017 health fair in Adu-Achi, Oji-River local government area, Enugu State in South Eastern Nigeria. Demographic data of age and gender, knowledge of 2 or more stroke signs or symptoms, and educational level were collected. The data from 31 (17%) subjects were incomplete and excluded from the final analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the knowledge of ≥2 stroke symptoms and signs to age and education using Logistic and chi-square methods, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 151 eligible participants for analysis consisted of 121 (80.1%) females with a mean age of 56 (±14 years) and age range of 20-85years. Majority of the participants, 149 (98.7%) were unable to name 2 or more stroke signs or symptoms. Majority of the subjects, 137 (90.7%) attained highest education of elementary school. Postsecondary school education correlated with knowledge of 2 or more stroke signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of stroke signs or symptoms is poor among the inhabitants of this rural South-Eastern Nigeria with highest educational attainment of elementary school as represented by this cross-sectional population study. The need to increase education and awareness of stroke in rural communities in South Eastern Nigeria is critically needed.

The Siblings With Ischemic Stroke Study (SWISS) protocol.

BACKGROUND: Family history and twins studies suggest an inherited component to ischemic stroke risk. Candidate gene association studies have been performed but have limited capacity to identify novel risk factor genes. The Siblings With Ischemic Stroke Study (SWISS) aims to conduct a genome-wide scan in sibling pairs concordant or discordant for ischemic stroke to identify novel genetic risk factors through linkage analysis. METHODS: Screening at multiple clinical centers identifies patients (probands) with radiographically confirmed ischemic stroke and a family history of at least 1 living full sibling with stroke. After giving informed consent, without violating privacy among other family members, the proband invites siblings concordant and discordant for stroke to participate. Siblings then contact the study coordinating center. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke in potentially concordant siblings is confirmed by systematic centralized review of medical records. The stroke-free status of potentially discordant siblings is confirmed by validated structured telephone interview. Blood samples for DNA analysis are taken from concordant sibling pairs and, if applicable, from 1 discordant sibling. Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines are created, and a scan of the human genome is planned. DISCUSSION: Conducting adequately powered genomics studies of stroke in humans is challenging because of the heterogeneity of the stroke phenotype and the difficulty of obtaining DNA samples from clinically well-characterized members of a cohort of stroke pedigrees. The multicentered design of this study is intended to efficiently assemble a cohort of ischemic stroke pedigrees without invoking community consent or using cold-calling of pedigree members.