The Stockholm Stroke Triage Project: Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy Before and After Triage Implementation

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Keselman ◽  
Annika Berglund ◽  
Niaz Ahmed ◽  
Matteo Bottai ◽  
Mia von Euler ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The Stockholm Stroke Triage System (SSTS) is a prehospital algorithm for detection of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT)-eligible patients, combining symptom severity assessment and ambulance-to-hospital teleconsultation, leading to a decision on primary stroke center bypass. In the Stockholm Region (6 primary stroke centers, 1 EVT center), SSTS implementation in October 2017 reduced onset-to-EVT time by 69 minutes. We compared clinical outcomes before and after implementation of SSTS in an observational study. Methods: We prospectively recruited patients transported by Code Stroke ambulance within the Stockholm region under the SSTS, treated with EVT during October 2017 to October 2019, and compared to EVT patients from 2 previous years. Outcomes: shift in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, mRS score 0 to 1, mRS score 0 to 2, and death (all 3 months), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score change 24-hour post-EVT, recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. mRS outcomes were adjusted for age and baseline NIHSS. Results: Patients with EVT in the SSTS group (n=244) were older and had higher baseline NIHSS versus historical controls (n=187): median age 74 (interquartile range, 63–81) versus 71 (61–78); NIHSS score 17 (11.5–21) versus 15 (10–20). During SSTS, median onset-to-puncture time was 136 versus 205 minutes ( P <0.001). Adjusted common odds ratio for lower mRS in SSTS patients was 1.7 (95% CI, 1.2–2.3) versus controls. During SSTS, 83/240 (34.6%) versus 44/186 (23.7%) reached 3-month mRS score 0 to 1 ( P =0.014), adjusted common odds ratio 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4–3.6). Median NIHSS change 24-hour post-EVT was 6 versus 4 ( P =0.005). Differences in Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and death were nonsignificant. Conclusions: With an onset to arterial puncture time reduction by 69 minutes, outcomes in thrombectomy-treated patients improved significantly after region-wide large artery occlusion triage system implementation. These results warrant replication studies in other geographic and organizational circumstances.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Samuels ◽  
Rob A. van de Graaf ◽  
Carlijn A.L. van den Berg ◽  
Simone M. Uniken Venema ◽  
Kujtesa Bala ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Optimal blood pressure (BP) management in the acute phase of ischemic stroke remains an unresolved issue. It is uncertain whether guidelines for BP management during and after intravenous alteplase can be extrapolated to endovascular treatment (EVT) for stroke due to large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation. We evaluated the associations between systolic BP (SBP) in the first 6 hours following EVT and functional outcome as well as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Methods: Patients of 8 MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) Registry centers, with available data on SBP in the 6 hours following EVT, were analyzed. We evaluated maximum, minimum, and mean SBP. Study outcomes were functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale) at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. We used multivariable ordinal and binary regression analysis to adjust for important prognostic factors and studied possible effect modification by successful reperfusion. Results: Post-EVT SBP data were available for 1161/1796 patients. Higher maximum SBP (per 10 mm Hg increments) was associated with worse functional outcome (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.88–0.98]) and a higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.02–1.36]). The association between minimum SBP and functional outcome was nonlinear with an inflection point at 124 mm Hg. Minimum SBP lower and higher than the inflection point were associated with worse functional outcomes (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.85 per 10 mm Hg decrements [95% CI, 0.76–0.95] and adjusted common odds ratio, 0.81 per 10 mm Hg increments [95% CI, 0.71–0.92]). No association between mean SBP and functional outcome was observed. Successful reperfusion did not modify the relation of SBP with any of the outcomes. Conclusions: Maximum SBP in the first 6 hours following EVT is positively associated with worse functional outcome and an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Both lower and higher minimum SBP are associated with worse outcomes. A randomized trial to evaluate whether modifying post-intervention SBP results in better outcomes after EVT for ischemic stroke seems justified.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1781-1789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert-Jan B. Goldhoorn ◽  
Rob A. van de Graaf ◽  
Jan M. van Rees ◽  
Hester F. Lingsma ◽  
Diederik W.J. Dippel ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose— The use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) is considered a contra-indication for intravenous thrombolytics as acute treatment of ischemic stroke. However, little is known about the risks and benefits of endovascular treatment in patients on prior OAC. We aim to compare outcomes after endovascular treatment between patients with and without prior use of OAC. Methods— Data of patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by an intracranial anterior circulation occlusion, included in the nationwide, prospective, MR CLEAN Registry between March 2014 and November 2017, were analyzed. Outcomes of interest included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score). Outcomes between groups were compared with (ordinal) logistic regression analyses, adjusted for prognostic factors. Results— Three thousand one hundred sixty-two patients were included in this study, of whom 502 (16%) used OAC. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage between patients with and without prior OACs (5% versus 6%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.38–1.06]). Patients on OACs had worse functional outcomes than patients without OACs (common odds ratio, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.47–0.66]). However, this observed difference in functional outcome disappeared after adjustment for prognostic factors (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.74–1.13]). Conclusions— Prior OAC use in patients treated with endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke is not associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or worse functional outcome compared with no prior OAC use. Therefore, prior OAC use should not be a contra-indication for endovascular treatment.


Stroke ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 2147-2155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob A. van de Graaf ◽  
Vicky Chalos ◽  
Adriaan C.G.M. van Es ◽  
Bart J. Emmer ◽  
Geert J. Lycklama à Nijeholt ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose— Intravenous administration of heparin during endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke may improve outcomes. However, risks and benefits of this adjunctive therapy remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate periprocedural intravenous heparin use in Dutch stroke intervention centers and to assess its efficacy and safety. Methods— Patients registered between March 2014 and June 2016 in the MR CLEAN Registry (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke), including all patients treated with endovascular treatment in the Netherlands, were analyzed. The primary outcome was functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were successful recanalization (extended Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2B), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and mortality at 90 days. We used multilevel regression analysis to evaluate the association of periprocedural intravenous heparin on outcomes, adjusted for center effects and prognostic factors. To account for possible unobserved confounding by indication, we analyzed the effect of center preference to administer intravenous heparin, defined as percentage of patients treated with intravenous heparin in a center, on functional outcome. Results— One thousand four hundred eighty-eight patients from 16 centers were analyzed, of whom 398 (27%) received intravenous heparin (median dose 5000 international units). There was substantial between-center variability in the proportion of patients treated with intravenous heparin (range, 0%–94%). There was no significant difference in functional outcome between patients treated with intravenous heparin and those without (adjusted common odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.87–1.56), successful recanalization (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.89–1.71), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.65–1.99), or mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.66–1.38). Analysis at center level showed that functional outcomes were better in centers with higher percentages of heparin administration (adjusted common odds ratio, 1.07 per 10% more heparin, 95% CI, 1.01–1.13). Conclusions— Substantial between-center variability exists in periprocedural intravenous heparin use during endovascular treatment, but the treatment is safe. Centers using heparin more often had better outcomes. A randomized trial is needed to further study these effects.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josje Brouwer ◽  
Johanna A. Smaal ◽  
Bart J. Emmer ◽  
Inger R. de Ridder ◽  
Ido R. van den Wijngaard ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is uncommon in young adults. We assessed stroke cause in young patients and compared their outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy with older patients. Methods: We used data (March 2014 until November 2017) of patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke from the MR CLEAN (Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands) Registry, a nationwide, prospective study on endovascular thrombectomy in the Netherlands. We compared young patients (18–49 years) with older patients (≥50 years). Outcomes included modified Rankin Scale score after 90 days (both shift and dichotomized analyses), expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Analyses were adjusted for confounding. Results: We included 3256 patients, 310 (10%) were 18 to 49 years old. Young patients had lower median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (14 versus 16, P <0.001) and less cardiovascular comorbidities than older patients. Stroke etiologies in young patients included carotid dissection (16%), cardio-embolism (15%), large artery atherosclerosis (10%), and embolic stroke of undetermined source (31%). Clinical outcome was better in young than older patients (acOR for modified Rankin Scale shift: 1.8 [95% CI, 1.5–2.2]; functional independence [modified Rankin Scale score 0–2] 61 versus 39% [adjusted odds ratio, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.6–2.8]); mortality 7% versus 32%, adjusted odds ratio, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1–0.3]). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred less frequently in young patients (3% versus 6%, adjusted odds ratio, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.2–1.00]). Successful reperfusion (expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Score 2b-3) did not differ between groups. Onset to reperfusion time was shorter in young patients (253 versus 255 minutes, adjusted B in minutes 12.4 [95% CI, 2.4–22.5]). Conclusions: Ten percent of patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular thrombectomy were younger than 50. Cardioembolism and carotid dissection were common underlying causes in young patients. In one-third of cases, no cause was identified, indicating the need for more research on stroke cause in young patients. Young patients had better prognosis and lower risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage than older patients.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1580-1588
Author(s):  
Máté Elöd Maros ◽  
Caspar Brekenfeld ◽  
Gabriel Broocks ◽  
Hannes Leischner ◽  
Rosalie McDonough ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Endovascular therapy is the standard of care in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion. A direct association between the number of device passes and the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) has been suggested. This study represents an in-depth investigation of the hypothesis that >3 retrieval attempts is associated with an increased rate of SICH in a large multicenter patient cohort. Methods: Two thousand six hundred eleven patients from the prospective German Stroke Registry were analyzed. Patients who received Endovascular therapy for acute large-vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation with known admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, and number of retrieval passes were included. The primary outcome was defined as SICH. The secondary outcome was any type of radiologically confirmed intracranial hemorrhage within the first 24 hours. Multivariate mixed-effects models were used to adjust for cluster effects of the participating centers, as well as for confounders. Results: Five hundred ninety-three patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median number of retrieval passes was 2 [interquartile range, 1–3]. SICH occurred in 26 cases (4.4%), whereas intracranial hemorrhage was identified by neuroimaging in 85 (14.3%) cases. More than 3 retrieval passes was the strongest predictor for SICH (odds ratio, 3.61 [95% CI, 1.38–9.42], P =0.0089) following adjustment for age, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, admission Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, and Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction, as well as time from symptom onset to flow restoration. Baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score of 8 to 9 (odds ratio, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.07–0.89], P =0.032) or 10 (odds ratio, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.06–0.78], P =0.020) were significant protective factors against the occurrence of SICH. Conclusions: More than 3 retrieval attempts is associated with a significant increase in SICH risk, regardless of patient age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, or procedure time. This should be considered when deciding whether to continue a procedure, especially in patients with large baseline infarctions. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03356392.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013049
Author(s):  
Aristeidis H Katsanos ◽  
Konark Malhotra ◽  
Niaz Ahmed ◽  
Georgios Seitidis ◽  
Eva A. Mistry ◽  
...  

Objective:To explore the association between blood pressure (BP) levels after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and the clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO).Methods:A study was eligible if it enrolled AIS patients older than 18 years, with an LVO treated with either successful or unsuccessful EVT, and provided either individual or mean 24-hour systolic BP values after the end of the EVT procedure. Individual patient data from all studies were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed-effects model.Results:A total of 5874 patients (mean age: 69±14 years, 50% women, median NIHSS on admission: 16) from 7 published studies were included. Increasing mean systolic BP levels per 10 mm Hg during the first 24 hours after the end of the EVT were associated with a lower odds of functional improvement (unadjusted common OR=0.82, 95%CI:0.80-0.85; adjusted common OR=0.88, 95%CI:0.84-0.93) and modified Ranking Scale score≤2 (unadjusted OR=0.82, 95%CI:0.79-0.85; adjusted OR=0.87, 95%CI:0.82-0.93), and a higher odds of all-cause mortality (unadjusted OR=1.18, 95%CI:1.13-1.24; adjusted OR=1.15, 95%CI:1.06-1.23) at 3 months. Higher 24-hour mean systolic BP levels were also associated with an increased likelihood of early neurological deterioration (unadjusted OR=1.14, 95%CI:1.07-1.21; adjusted OR=1.14, 95%CI:1.03-1.24) and a higher odds of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (unadjusted OR=1.20, 95%CI:1.09-1.29; adjusted OR=1.20, 95%CI:1.03-1.38) after EVT.Conclusion:Increased mean systolic BP levels in the first 24 hours after EVT are independently associated with a higher odds of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, early neurological deterioration, three-month mortality, and worse three-month functional outcomes.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 3241-3249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Saber ◽  
Kasra Khatibi ◽  
Viktor Szeder ◽  
Satoshi Tateshima ◽  
Geoffrey P. Colby ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: More than half of patients with acute ischemic stroke have minor neurological deficits; however, the frequency and outcomes of reperfusion therapy in regular practice has not been well-delineated. Methods: Analysis of US National Inpatient Sample of hospitalizations with acute ischemic stroke and mild deficits (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 0–5) from October 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. Patient- and hospital-level characteristics associated with use and outcome of reperfusion therapies were analyzed. Primary outcomes included excellent discharge disposition (discharge to home without assistance); poor discharge disposition (discharge to facility or death); in-hospital mortality; and radiological intracranial hemorrhage. Results: Among 179 710 acute ischemic stroke admissions with recorded NIHSS during the 15-month study period, 103 765 (57.7%) had mild strokes (47.3% women; median age, 69 [interquartile range, 59–79] years; median NIHSS score of 2 [interquartile range, 1–4]). Considering reperfusion therapies among strokes with documented NIHSS, mild deficit hospitalizations accounted for 40.0% of IVT and 10.7% of mechanical thrombectomy procedures. Characteristics associated with IVT and with mechanical thrombectomy utilization were younger age, absence of diabetes, higher NIHSS score, larger/teaching hospital status, and Western US region. Excellent discharge outcome occurred in 48.2% of all mild strokes, and in multivariable analysis, was associated with younger age, male sex, White race, lower NIHSS score, absence of diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease, and IVT use. IVT was associated with increased likelihood of excellent outcome (odds ratio, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.71–2.13], P <0.001) despite an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.09–1.83], P <0.001). Conclusions: In national US practice, more than one-half of acute ischemic stroke hospitalizations had mild deficits, accounting for 4 of every 10 IVT and 1 of every 10 mechanical thrombectomy treatments, and IVT use was associated with increased discharge to home despite increased intracranial hemorrhage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
T Truc My Nguyen ◽  
Stephanie IW van de Stadt ◽  
Adrien E Groot ◽  
Marieke JH Wermer ◽  
Heleen M den Hertog ◽  
...  

Background and aim In acute ischemic stroke, under- or overestimation of body weight can lead to dosing errors of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with consequent reduced efficacy or increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. Measurement of body weight is more accurate than estimation of body weight but potentially leads to longer door-to-needle times. Our aim was to assess if weight modality (estimation of body weight versus measurement of body weight) is associated with (i) symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate, (ii) clinical outcome, and (iii) door-to-needle times. Methods Consecutive patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis between 2009 and 2016 from 14 hospitals were included. Baseline characteristics and outcome parameters were retrieved from medical records. We defined symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage according to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS)-III definition and clinical outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale. The association of weight modality and outcome parameters was estimated with regression analyses. Results A total of 4801 patients were included. Five hospitals used measurement of body weight (n = 1753), six hospitals used estimation of body weight (n = 2325), and three hospitals (n = 723) changed from estimation of body weight to measurement of body weight during the study period. In 2048 of the patients (43%), measurement of body weight was used and in 2753 (57%), estimation of body weight. In the measurement of body weight group, an inbuilt weighing bed was used in 1094 patients (53%) and a patient lift scale in 954 patients (47%). In the estimation of body weight group, policy regarding estimation was similar. Estimation of body weight was not associated with increased symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage risk (adjusted odds ratio = 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.83–1.62) or favorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio = 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.82–1.21), but it was significantly associated with longer door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using an inbuilt weighing bed (adjusted B = 3.57; 95% confidence interval 1.33–5.80) and shorter door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using a patient lift scale (−3.96; 95% confidence interval −6.38 to −1.53). Conclusion We did not find evidence that weight modality (estimation of body weight versus measurement of body weight) to determine recombinant tissue plasminogen activator dose in intravenous thrombolysis eligible patients is associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or clinical outcome. We did find that estimation of body weight leads to longer door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using an inbuilt weighing bed and to shorter door-to-needle times compared to measurement of body weight using a patient lift scale.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-395
Author(s):  
Hanna Styczen ◽  
Volker Maus ◽  
Amélie C Hesse ◽  
Lukas Goertz ◽  
Sebastian Fischer ◽  
...  

Background Mechanical thrombectomy has become the standard care for acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion. However, complete reperfusion cannot be achieved in all cases, and several factors influencing the results of mechanical thrombectomy have been investigated. Among others, a tortuous anatomy is associated with lower rates of complete reperfusion. We aimed to investigate whether an early division of the middle cerebral artery has an impact on reperfusion results in mechanical thrombectomy. Methods Retrospective review of consecutive patients with M1 occlusion treated endovascularly between January 2016 and December 2019 at three tertiary care centers. The study group was dichotomized based on the length of the M1 segment. Early division of the middle cerebral artery was defined as a maximum length of 10 mm of the M1 segment. Primary endpoints were first-pass mTICI scores of 3, ≥2c, and ≥2b. Secondary endpoints contained final reperfusion, number of device-passes, time interval from groin puncture to reperfusion, rate of postinterventional symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and frequency of emboli of new territory. Results Among 284 included patients, 70 presented with an early division of the M1 segment (25%). Reperfusion results did not differ significantly between early and late division of M1. A higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was found in the group with an early M1 division treated with aspiration only (14.3% vs. 0%; p = 0.013). Patients with late M1 division had a significantly higher rate of large artery sclerosis (19.2% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.039). Conclusion The anatomic variant of an early division of the middle cerebral artery was not a predictor for incomplete reperfusion.


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