Organizing stroke systems in the field for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion acute stroke.

Organizing stroke systems in the field for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion acute stroke. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2018 Nov 19;: Authors: Almekhlafi MA, Holodinsky JK, Hill MD, Kamal N, Goyal M Abstract INTRODUCTION: The dawn of endovascular stroke therapy has reshaped stroke care. Eligible patients need to be rushed to capable centers for intervention. This may entail bypassing closer hospitals that could confirm the diagnosis, administer thrombolytic therapy, then transfer patients for intervention. This has created a set of challenges: identifying endovascular candidates in the field, determining the best transport destination, and getting patients there quickly. Areas covered: This review provides a context for these emerging challenges. Current and emerging clinical prediction instruments for large vessel occlusion are reviewed. The workflow in the thrombolysis-only primary stroke centers is reviewed, and interventions aimed at minimizing delays are highlighted. Innovations using mathematical modeling and devices for detection of large vessel occlusion are reviewed. Expert commentary: More patients are expected to receive endovascular therapy as we push the boundaries for time and imaging criteria. Advances in detection and decision-making aids will improve the speed of treatment. Some patients will arrive at thrombolysis-only centers. Those need to be triaged, diagnosed, treated and transported promptly. Theref...
Source: Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy - Category: Cardiology Tags: Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther Source Type: research