Approaches to the field recognition of potential thrombectomy candidates.

Systems of care for acute ischemic stroke are being challenged to implement processes that ensure rapid access to endovascular thrombectomy. Optimizing existing regionalized stroke thrombolysis programs for endovascular thrombectomy will require accurate field recognition of treatment candidates. We begin with a review of the development of early clinical tests for ischemic stroke, illustrating challenges relevant to future field tests for large vessel occlusion. Second, we discuss aspects of diagnosis, eligibility, feasibility, and system organization that are potentially relevant to the development and implementation of field tests and diversion criteria. These considerations may influence the choice and parametrization of field tests in individual jurisdictions. Third, we review the literature evaluating eight clinical tests for the field identification of probable large vessel occlusion. All candidate tests include evaluations for focal weakness, and six evaluate for cortical signs such as aphasia or gaze deviation. Most appear roughly comparable to the NIH Stroke Scale, but direct comparison between studies is inappropriate because of major methodological differences. Finally, we discuss our jurisdiction's approach to the field recognition of thrombectomy candidates. We contextualize diagnostic, eligibility, and system considerations within distinct metro and rural environments and propose a screen-and-consult model for the rural setting.

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.