Abstract 11: Temporal Changes in NIHSS Documentation and Stroke Severity among Patients Treated with Thrombolysis in the Massachusetts Coverdell Registry [Session Title: Concurrent I Session B: Oral Abstracts on Stroke Topics]

Discussion: IV tPA use in MA Coverdell patients is increasing and now reaches 25% of all early arriving subjects. NIHSS documentation is increasing as well, especially among subjects with lower NIHSS scores. The median NIHSS in RISS or Too Mild patients is reassuringly low, and decreased significantly among Too Mild patients. These data, coupled with the fact that unadjusted rates of discharge home among IV tPA patients are increasing while severity-adjusted rates are not, suggests that more patients previously felt to be Too Mild are now receiving IV tPA. Further efforts are still warranted.
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Session Title: Concurrent I Session B: Oral Abstracts on Stroke Topics Source Type: research