Establishment of an internationally agreed minimum data set for acute telestroke.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, the use of telestroke programmes for acute care is expanding. Currently, a standardised set of variables for enabling reliable international comparisons of telestroke programmes does not exist. The aim of the study was to establish a consensus-based, minimum dataset for acute telestroke to enable the reliable comparison of programmes, clinical management and patient outcomes. METHODS: An initial scoping review of variables was conducted, supplemented by reaching out to colleagues leading some of these programmes in different countries. An international expert panel of clinicians, researchers and managers (n = 20) from the Australasia Pacific region, USA, UK and Europe was convened. A modified-Delphi technique was used to achieve consensus via online questionnaires, teleconferences and email. RESULTS: Overall, 533 variables were initially identified and harmonised into 159 variables for the expert panel to review. The final dataset included 110 variables covering three themes (service configuration, consultations, patient information) and 12 categories: (1) details about telestroke network/programme (n = 12), (2) details about initiating hospital (n = 10), (3) telestroke consultation (n = 17), (4) patient characteristics (n = 7), (5) presentation to hospital (n = 5), (6) general clinical care within first 24 hours (n = 10), (7) thrombolysis treatment (n = 10), (8) endovascular treatment (n = 13), (9) neurosurgery treatment (n = 8), (10) processes of care beyond 24 hours (n = 7), (11) discharge information (n = 5), (12) post-discharge and follow-up data (n = 6). DISCUSSION: The acute telestroke minimum dataset provides a recommended set of variables to systematically evaluate acute telestroke programmes in different countries. Adoption is recommended for new and existing services.

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.

Door in door out and transportation times in 2 telestroke networks.

BACKGROUND: Inter-hospital transfer is important in the treatment of acute stroke. We sought to assess door in to door out (DIDO) time at spoke sites, and transportation time between spoke sites and thrombectomy-capable stroke center (TSC) in 2 large, rural telestroke networks. METHODS: Records of patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator through 2 telestroke networks between March 2017 and December 2017 were reviewed. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare median times, and a generalized linear regression model was used to predict the total time of care controlling for transportation distance. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included with median NIH stroke scale on presentation of 13 (interquartile range [IQR] 7-17), median door to needle time 49 minutes (IQR 40-62), and median DIDO 111 minutes (IQR 92-157). Eighteen patients (21%) underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) at spoke prior to transportation. Median DIDO was 169 minutes for patients who received CTA before transfer, compared with 107 minutes for patients who did not (p = 0.0004). Median door-to-groin time at TSC was 68 minutes for the CTA group and 85 minutes in the non-CTA group (p = 0.832). Controlling for distance, the predicted time of care from spoke door in time to groin puncture at TSC (sDTG) is 93.68 minutes longer for patients who receive CTA prior to transport (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In the included telestroke networks, the sDTG time is longer when CTA is conducted at spoke site prior to transportation to TSC. New strategies are urgently needed to decrease sDTG when CTA is done prior to transfer to TSC.