Impact of Stroke Center Certification on Thrombolysis Time Metrics in Telestroke Setting.

Background: Previous studies have shown that primary stroke centers (PSCs) have shorter door to needle (DTN) time than non-PSCs hospitals. We aimed to validate these findings in a high-volume telestroke network. Methods: The prospectively maintained data on all consecutive stroke patients who received intravenous alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]) between July 2016 and November 2019 through a large telestroke program in Southeast United States was reviewed. Wilcoxon Rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test was used to compare median times between different groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the association between presenting to PSC and having DTN ≤45 and ≤60 min. Results: During the study period, 1,517 patients received tPA, 874 (57.6%) at PSC sites. There were more white patients in the PSC group (64.3%) compared to non-PSC group (58%) (p < 0.001). Other characteristics were similar in patients in both groups. Time metrics were as follows, Door to telestroke page: 16 min versus 13 min (p < 0.001), telestroke page to tPA recommendation: 23 min versus 22 min (p = 0.975), tPA recommendation to tPA bolus administration: 13 min versus 10 min (p < 0.001), and DTN 58 min versus 49 min (p < 0.001) at non-PSC and PSC sites, respectively. On multivariate analysis, there were significantly higher odds for achieving a DTN ≤45 min (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-4.4, p < 0.001) and DTN ≤60 min (OR 3, 95% CI 2.1-4.3, p < 0.001) in the PSC group. Conclusion: In our study, PSCs had better performance in the procedural metrics for tPA administration than non-PSCs in a large contemporary telestroke cohort.

Telestroke Consultation in the Emergency Medical Services Unit: A Novel Approach to Improve Thrombolysis Times.

BACKGROUND: Faster treatment times are associated with improved outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. In this prospective pilot study, we assess the feasibility of initiating telestroke consultation in emergency medical services unit (TEMS). METHODS: Patients with stroke symptoms were evaluated via TEMS using a video-call with a stroke provider. After TEMS evaluation, patients were transferred to the nearest stroke center (NSC) or thrombectomy capable center (TCS) depending on stroke severity and symptom onset time. We compared time metrics between patients evaluated via TEMS to those via standard telestroke (STS) consultation. RESULTS: 49 patients were evaluated via TEMS between May 2017 and March 2020. Median age was 66, 24 (49%) were females, 15 (30.6%) received intravenous alteplase (tPA) after arrival to a local hospital, and 3 (6.1%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) after bypassing the NSC. Compared to 52 tPA patients treated through STS consultation, TEMS patients had shorter door to needle (DTN) time (21 vs. 38 min, p < 0.001). In addition, patients who received MT after bypassing the NSC had shorter onset to groin time compared to those transferred from NSC (216 vs. 293 min, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Prehospital stroke triaging using TEMS is feasible, and could result in shorter DTN and onset to groin times.

Blacks Are Less Likely to Present With Strokes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations From the Buckle of the Stroke Belt.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke systems has not been systematically evaluated. Our study aims to investigate trends in telestroke consults during the pandemic. METHODS: We did retrospective chart review of consecutive patients seen through a telestroke network in South Carolina from March 2019 to April 2020. We dichotomized patients to preCOVID-19 pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 pandemic (March to April 2020). RESULTS: A total of 5852 patients were evaluated during the study period, 613 (10.5%) were seen during the pandemic. The median number of weekly consults dropped from 112 to 77 during the pandemic, P=0.002. There was no difference in baseline features; however, Black patients were less likely to present with strokes during the pandemic (13.9% versus 29%, P≤0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant drop in telestroke volume. The impact seems to disproportionately affect Black patients.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Within a Telestroke Network.

Background: The growth of telestroke services expanded the reach of acute stroke treatment. However, ethnic disparities in receiving such treatment have not been fully assessed. Materials and Methods: We reviewed prospectively maintained data on patients evaluated through the Medical University of South Carolina telestroke program between January 2016 and November 2018. Outcomes included odds of receiving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and achieving door-to-needle (DTN) time ≤60 and ≤45 min among patients receiving tPA. We used logistic regression to analyze the contribution of race/ethnicity. Results: We included 2,977 patients, of whom 1,093 (36.7%) identified as nonwhite; of these, 1,048 patients (95.9%) identified as black or African American. Significantly more nonwhite patients were seen at a primary stroke center (PSC) (68.4% vs. 52.3% in whites, p < 0.001). However, white patients had significantly higher odds of receiving tPA (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, confidence interval [95% CI] 1.17-1.84). There was no significant difference in receiving MT between races. Among patients receiving tPA, whites had higher odds of DTN ≤45 min (OR 1.76, 1.20-2.57) and ≤60 min (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.31-2.66). Conclusions: White patients had better odds achieving DTN ≤45 min and DTN ≤60 min if receiving tPA within a telestroke setting, as well as higher odds of receiving tPA, even after adjustment for comorbidities. This was noted despite white patients having less access to PSCs. However, larger scale studies are needed to further study the impact of ethnic disparities.

The Relationship Between Admission Systolic Blood Pressure and Mortality in Telestroke Patients.

Background: A "U-shaped" relationship between admission blood pressure (BP) and mortality (wherein patients within a middle range have better outcomes than patients at higher or lower extremes) in patients receiving intravenous recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) has been previously described. We aim to determine if this U-shaped relationship persists for patients in a telestroke setting regardless of tPA administration. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of the prospectively collected registry data for all patients seen through the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) telestroke network. Admission systolic BP (SBP) was divided into quartiles with thresholds based on the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles as cut points separately by tPA status. The primary outcomes of this study were odds of 90-day modified Rankin scale ≤2 and 90-day mortality. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze associations between BP quartiles and these outcomes, adjusted for relevant clinical covariates. Results: Our sample comprised 1,232 patients evaluated for telestroke, 616 of whom received tPA. Patients in the second (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.77 in the tPA group, OR 0.27, 95% CI 01.0-0.78 in the non-tPA group) and third (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.64 in the tPA group, OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.14-0.92 in the non-tPA group) quartiles of admission SBP had lower adjusted odds of 90-day mortality. Conclusions: Our findings support a U-shaped relationship between admission SBP and 90-day mortality in acute stroke patients regardless of tPA administration, after adjustment for relevant covariates. Further research into interventions regarding BP management poststroke is warranted.

Teleneurology Network to Improve Access to Neurologists for Patients in Rural Areas: A Real-World Experience.

Background: The need for neurologists has been steadily increasing over the past few years. The implementation of teleneurology networks could serve as a potential solution to this need. Methods: A retrospective review of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Teleneurology records for all consults performed between August 2014 and July 2018 was conducted. Collected data included number of consults, baseline characteristics, final diagnosis, and number of providers and hospitals over the study period. Results: A total of 4,542 Teleneurology consults were performed during the study period. The most common diagnosis was cerebrovascular disease, followed by seizure disorders. The number of consults per month increased throughout the study period from three in August 2014 to 257 in July 2018. The number of community hospitals covered has increased from 3 hospitals in August 2014 to 14 hospitals throughout the state of South Carolina in July 2018. Conclusion: Over 4 years, the MUSC teleneurology program has evolved into a robust partnership with 14 partner hospitals, and is now delivering more than 250 expert neurology consultations monthly to patients throughout the state of South Carolina.

Population Health Indicators Associated with a Statewide Telestroke Program.

Background: Studies show that telestroke (TS) improves rural access to care and outcome for stroke patients receiving TS services, but population health impacts of TS are not known. We examine impacts associated with South Carolina's (SC) statewide TS network on an entire state population of patients suffering acute ischemic stroke (AIS) as TS became available across SC counties. Methods: A population health study using Donabedian's conceptual model and an ecological design to describe the change observed over time in use of thrombolysis and endovascular therapy (EVT) as the SC TeleStroke Network (SCTN) diffused across SC counties. Changes in county rates of stroke mortality and discharge destination are reported. The unit of interest is the population rate for AIS patients living in a SC county. Patients' county of residence at the time of hospitalization defined county cohorts. Relative risks were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for age >75 years. Results: Overall tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) rate was 6.28%, and EVT rate was 1.10%. Patients living where SCTN was available had a 25% higher likelihood of receiving tPA (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-1.36) and lower risks of mortality (ARR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.84-0.99) or discharge to skilled nursing (ARR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.89-0.97). Conclusions: TS diffusion affects the structure of the health system serving a county, as well as the processes of care delivered in the emergency department; these changes are associated with measurable population health improvements. Results support a population benefit of TS implementation.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Beyond 90 days in Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis in the SAMMPRIS Trial.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet use for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis beyond 90 days is unknown. Data from SAMMPRIS was used to determine if dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 90 days impacted the risk of ischemic stroke and hemorrhage. METHODS: This post hoc exploratory analysis from SAMMPRIS included patients who did not have a primary endpoint within 90 days after enrollment (n = 397). Patients in both the aggressive medical management (AMM) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) arms were included. Baseline features and outcomes during follow-up were compared between patients who remained on DAPT beyond 90 days (on clopidogrel) and patients who discontinued clopidogrel and remained on aspirin alone at 90 days (off clopidogrel) using Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The stroke rate was numerically lower in the group on clopidogrel vs off clopidogrel among both the AMM alone arm (6.0% versus 10.8%, p = 0.31) and the PTAS arm (8.7% versus 9.8%; p = 0.82), but the difference was not significant. The major hemorrhage rates were numerically higher in the group on clopidogrel vs. off clopidogrel group among both the AMM alone arm (4.0% versus 2.5%; p = 0.67) and the PTAS arm (10.9% versus 3.5%; p = 0.08), but were not significant. CONCLUSION: This exploratory analysis suggests that prolonged DAPT use may lower the risk of stroke in medically treated patients with intracranial stenosis but may increase the risk of major hemorrhage.

The Accuracy of Large Vessel Occlusion Recognition Scales in Telestroke Setting.

Introduction: A significant proportion of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who are evaluated through telestroke consultation are transferred to thrombectomy-capable stroke centers (TSCs) for concern of large vessel occlusion (LVO). Patient triage selection is commonly based on the clinical suspicion of LVO, which lacks specificity and could result in unnecessary transfers. In this study, we aimed to assess the accuracy of the most commonly used LVO recognition scales in telestroke setting. Methods: AIS patients transferred to TSCs for suspicion of an LVO were included in this retrospective study. Patients were evaluated by a stroke neurologist through a telestroke consult before transfer. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score documented by the stroke neurologist was retrieved from medical records and used to calculate five other LVO recognition scales (Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation Scale [RACE], Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination [FAST-ED], Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity Scale [CPSSS], 3-item stroke scale [3I-SS], and Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity Scale [PASS]). We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, false positive rate (FPR), and false negative rate (FNR) of each score using published cutoffs and then examined all possible cutoff values for each of these scales in addition to the NIHSS. Results: A total of 439 patients were included in the final analysis. A total of 48.5% of patients had an LVO confirmed on computed tomography angiogram. RACE score had the highest accuracy (78%). Overall, the five derived LVO recognition scores have at least 10% FNR. When examining all possible cutoff values, the NIHSS (cutoff of 6) had a 3% FNR but 73% FPR (false transfer). Conclusion: The use of the NIHSS and other LVO recognition scores over telestroke may result in unnecessary transfers. Better diagnostic tools that could maximize sensitivity with acceptable specificity are urgently needed.

Long-Term Functional Outcome of Telestroke Patients Treated Under Drip-and-Stay Paradigm Compared with Patients Treated in a Comprehensive Stroke Center: A Single Center Experience.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to compare long-term functional outcome for patients who receive intravenous alteplase (tPA) at a primary stroke center (spoke) through telestroke consultations and remain at the spoke (drip-and-stay) with that for patients who receive tPA at the comprehensive stroke center (hub).Methods:Data on baseline characteristics, stroke severity on presentation, door to needle (DTN) time, the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and long-term outcomes for all patients evaluated at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) hub and MUSC telestroke network spoke sites between January 2016 and March 2017 were collected. Eligible patients received tPA at either the spoke or hub location during the study period. Patients who received mechanical thrombectomy were excluded from the study. Functional outcome was assessed with 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Descriptive statistics were used to compare patient demographics and clinical outcomes across the two groups.Results:Total of 426 were identified (60 hub patients and 366 drip-and-stay patients). There were no significant differences in patient age, sex, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), sICH, or DTN times between the two groups. mRS of 0-2 at 90 days was achieved in 37 (61.7%) of the hub and in 255 (69.7%) in the drip-and-stay patients (p = 0.216). On regression analysis, there was no difference in the adjusted relative risk of having a lower mRS between drip-and-stay and hub patients (incidence rate ratio 1.14, p = 0.278, 95% confidence interval [0.9-1.43]).Conclusion:Our study shows no difference in the long-term functional outcome for patients who received tPA through telestroke consultation and remained at spoke hospitals (drip-and-stay) compared with patients who received tPA at the hub.

Impact of Treatment Time on the Long-Term Outcome of Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term functional outcome of stroke in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) performed during work hours (on-hours) versus after-hours, weekends, and official holidays (off-hours). METHODS: Data on all patients receiving MT at a comprehensive stroke center was collected between December 2014-December 2016. Our primary outcomes were the discharge and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We developed propensity scores for off-hours treatment and used inverse probability of treatment weights to address confounding. We estimated logistic regression to assess the relationship between off-hours treatment and favorable patient outcomes. Independent variables include receiving thrombectomy during the off-hours, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), door to groin time in minutes, age, and race. RESULTS: During the study period, 80 (41%) patients underwent thrombectomy during on-hours and 116 (59%) during off-hours. Mean age was 69.1 years for the on-hours group and 64.1 years for the off-hours group (P = .02). There were no statistically significant differences in median admission NIHSS, rate of alteplase administration, mean time from last known well to thrombectomy, rate of revascularization, and rate of hemorrhagic transformation between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis showed the probability of a favorable outcome at discharge (mRS ≤ 2) is 12.6 % lower for off-hours patients (P = .038, [95%CI -.25 to -.01]). For patients with a 90-day mRS (n = 117), the probability of a favorable outcome was 18.7% lower for those treated during the off-hours (P = .029, [95%CI -.36 to -.02]). CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher probability of a good functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients who receive MT when performed during regular work hours.

Randomized assessment of rapid endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with a proximal vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, 60 to 80% of patients die within 90 days after stroke onset or do not regain functional independence despite alteplase treatment. We evaluated rapid endovascular treatment in addition to standard care in patients with acute ischemic stroke with a small infarct core, a proximal intracranial arterial occlusion, and moderate-to-good collateral circulation. METHODS: We randomly assigned participants to receive standard care (control group) or standard care plus endovascular treatment with the use of available thrombectomy devices (intervention group). Patients with a proximal intracranial occlusion in the anterior circulation were included up to 12 hours after symptom onset. Patients with a large infarct core or poor collateral circulation on computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography were excluded. Workflow times were measured against predetermined targets. The primary outcome was the score on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) at 90 days. A proportional odds model was used to calculate the common odds ratio as a measure of the likelihood that the intervention would lead to lower scores on the modified Rankin scale than would control care (shift analysis). RESULTS: The trial was stopped early because of efficacy. At 22 centers worldwide, 316 participants were enrolled, of whom 238 received intravenous alteplase (120 in the intervention group and 118 in the control group). In the intervention group, the median time from study CT of the head to first reperfusion was 84 minutes. The rate of functional independence (90-day modified Rankin score of 0 to 2) was increased with the intervention (53.0%, vs. 29.3% in the control group; P<0.001). The primary outcome favored the intervention (common odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 3.8; P<0.001), and the intervention was associated with reduced mortality (10.4%, vs. 19.0% in the control group; P=0.04). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 3.6% of participants in intervention group and 2.7% of participants in control group (P=0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with acute ischemic stroke with a proximal vessel occlusion, a small infarct core, and moderate-to-good collateral circulation, rapid endovascular treatment improved functional outcomes and reduced mortality. (Funded by Covidien and others; ESCAPE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01778335.).

Door to Needle Time over Telestroke-A Comprehensive Stroke Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of telestroke programs has allowed patients living in rural areas suffering from acute ischemic stroke to receive expert acute stroke consultation and intravenous Alteplase (tPA). The purpose of this study is to compare door to needle (DTN) time when tPA is administered at telestroke sites (spokes) through telestroke consultations compared to tPA administration at the comprehensive stroke center (hub). METHODS: Data on all patients who received intravenous tPA at the hub and spoke hospitals through a large telestroke program between May 2008 and December 2016 were collected. Baseline characteristics were compared between the two groups, and the percentage of patients meeting DTN guidelines was compared between the hub and spoke hospitals during the study period. Comparison of DTN before and after the implementation of a quality improvement project was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1,665 patients received tPA at either the spoke (n = 1,323) or the hub (n = 342) during the study period. Baseline characteristics were comparable in both treatment groups. Before the intervention, DTN time <60 min was achieved in 88% of the hub patients versus 38% of the spoke patients. This difference between the two groups decreased by 35 percentage points, controlling for year (p = 0.0018) after the interventions. CONCLUSION: Overall, DTN is longer at the spoke hospitals compared to the hub hospital. This can be improved by various interventions that target quality, training, education, and improving the comfort level of the staff at partner hospitals when treating acute stroke patients.

Rate of Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Related to Intravenous tPA Administered Over Telestroke Within 4.5-Hour Window.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the cornerstone medical treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The establishment of telestroke technology has allowed patients presenting to hospitals that lack expert stroke care to be evaluated and receive tPA. The safety of tPA administered through telestroke has been evaluated only when tPA is given within the 3-h window of last known normal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of tPA when administered through telestroke within a 4.5-h window. METHODS: A retrospective analysis on the prospectively collected database for all patients who received tPA at the Medical University of South Carolina Comprehensive Stroke Center (MUSC) (hub), as well as the MUSC telestroke network partner hospitals (spokes), was performed. Collected data included demographics, baseline characteristics, time from last known well to tPA administration, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) rates. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds of a sICH in patients at spoke sites compared with the hub controlling for patient stroke severity, gender, age, and race. RESULTS: A total of 830 patients were identified. Median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was significantly higher among patients treated at the hub (9 vs. 8, p = 0.013), and the hub treated a higher percentage of nonwhite patients (p = 0.039). sICH occurred in 27 (4.8%) in the spoke group and 10 (3.8%) in the hub group (p = 0.523). Logistic regression results found no significant difference in the odds of sICH if tPA is given in a spoke site. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows similar rates of sICH when intravenous tPA is administered at spokes through telestroke network compared with the hub.

Increased telestroke call burden after the extended thrombectomy window trials.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical trials have proven the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion presenting within 24 hours of symptom onset. Extending the thrombectomy window to 24 hours resulted in a higher number of thrombectomies being performed. However, little is known about the impact of the extended thrombectomy window on the telestroke call burden. METHODS: We used the prospectively maintained database of a telestroke network covering a large geographic area in the Southeast USA. We included patients presenting between January 2015 and December 2019. We compared the characteristics and outcomes between patients who presented before and after the publication of the extended window thrombectomy trials. RESULTS: A total of 9041 patients presented with stroke-like symptoms during the study period. Of these, 4995 presented after February 2018. There was no difference in the patient demographics in both groups. However, patients in the post extended window group had a lower National Institute of Health Stroke Scale on presentation (3 vs. 4; p < 0.001) and longer symptom-onset-to-door time (124 vs. 85 minutes; p < 0.001). The number of consults per month nearly doubled (200 vs. 103; p < 0.001) in the extended thrombectomy window era. Similarly, the number of mechanical thrombectomies performed per month increased from four to seven since extending the thrombectomy window (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The number of telestroke consults nearly doubled after the publication of the extended thrombectomy window trials, with an increase in the number of thrombectomies performed. These findings have important operational implications for hospitals implementing telestroke call coverage.

Beyond acute stroke: Rate of stroke transfers to a tertiary centre following the implementation of a dedicated inpatient teleneurology network.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the impact of establishing an inpatient teleneurology consultation service alongside an already established telestroke network on the stroke transfers to the hub. The study also aimed to assess the financial impact of establishing this network. METHODS: Prospectively collected data on all stroke patients evaluated through our telestroke and teleneurology networks between January 2008 and March 2018 were interrogated. For all spokes (eight sites) that had both teleneurology and telestroke services, we compared the rate of transfers to the hub before and after the establishment of the teleneurology network in August 2014. The cost reduction was estimated using the Medicare 5% standard analytic files. RESULTS: A total of 4296 stroke patients were evaluated during the study period. Of these, 2493 were seen before and 1803 were seen after the implementation of the teleneurology network at the included sites. Patients in the pre-teleneurology group were older (66.4 years (SD = 14.7 years) vs. 67.8 years (SD = 15.1 years); p = 0.002). Otherwise, there were no differences in baseline characteristics. Patients in the pre-teleneurology group were more likely to be transferred to the telestroke hub (29.4% vs. 20.2%; p < 0.001). The estimated mean cost reduction for each one minus the cost of transfer was estimated to be US$4997. DISCUSSION: The implementation of an inpatient teleneurology network was associated with a significant reduction in the transfer rate of stroke patients to hospitals with a higher level of care and could lead to a significant cost reduction.

Outcomes of interfacility helicopter transportation in acute stroke care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term functional outcome of interhospital transfer of patients with stroke with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) using Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). METHODS: Records of consecutive patients evaluated through 2 telestroke networks and transferred to thrombectomy-capable stroke centers between March 2017 and March 2018 were reviewed. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score was performed to address confounding factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with IPTW was used to determine whether HEMS were associated with good long-term functional outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≤ 2). RESULTS: A total of 199 patients were included; median age was 67 years (interquartile range [IQR] 55-79 years), 90 (45.2%) were female, 120 (60.3%) were white, and 100 (50.3%) were transferred by HEMS. No significant differences between the 2 groups were found in mean age, sex, race, IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) receipt, and thrombectomy receipt. The median baseline NIH Stroke Scale score was 14 (IQR 9-18) in the helicopter group vs 11 (IQR 6-18) for patients transferred by ground (p = 0.039). The median transportation time was 60 minutes (IQR 49-70 minutes) by HEMS and 84 minutes (IQR 25-102 minutes) by ground (p < 0.001). After weighting baseline characteristics, the use of HEMS was associated with higher odds of good long-term outcome (OR 4.738, 95% CI 2.15-10.444, p < 0.001) controlling for transportation time, door-in-door-out time, and thrombectomy and tPA receipt. The magnitude of the HEMS effect was larger in thrombectomy patients who had successful recanalization (OR 1.758, 95% CI 1.178-2.512, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: HEMS use was associated with better long-term functional outcome in patients with suspected LVO, independently of transportation time.

Endovascular management of acute large vessel occlusion stroke in pregnancy is safe and feasible.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a leading cause of adult death and disability. Although acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in pregnancy is rare, it has devastating consequences on the life of the mother and fetus. Pregnancy was an exclusion criterion in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) trials and so there are no evidence-based treatment recommendations in this subgroup. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in pregnancy. METHODS: Patients with AIS due to LVO treated with EVT during pregnancy between 2000 and 2019 were identified at seven tertiary care centers. After IRB approval, retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained stroke/endovascular databases was performed. RESULTS: A total of seven subjects were identified. The average age was 33.2 years (range 25-38 years) and the average initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at presentation was 15 (range 9-28). Three patients received IV tissue plasminogen activator. Techniques of EVT included stent retriever thrombectomy, stent retriever-assisted continuous aspiration, direct contact aspiration, and multimodal techniques including a rescue balloon mounted coronary stent placement. While one patient was noted to have petechial hemorrhage, no individuals developed parenchymal hematoma. Mean discharge NIHSS score was 1.7 (range 0-5). CONCLUSION: EVT is a safe and effective treatment for acute stroke secondary to LVO in this series of pregnant patients. While EVT for acute stroke is standard of care in select patient populations, our study suggests that treatment should be considered in the gravid population.