ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Telestroke (TS) networks are standard in many areas of the US. Despite TS systems having approximately 33% mimic rates, it is unknown if TS can accurately diagnose patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) versus stroke mimics. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive TS consults to 27 TS sites in six states during 2018. Clinical information and diagnosis were extracted from discharge records and compared to those from the TS consult. Discharge diagnoses were verified and coded into 12 categories. Cases without a clear discharge diagnosis and intracerebral haemorrhage were excluded. We report agreement and a Cohen's kappa between TS and discharge diagnoses for the category of AIS/transient ischemic attack (TIA) versus stroke mimic. RESULTS: We included 404 cases in the analysis (mean age 66 years; 54% women). Of these, 225 had a TS diagnosis of AIS/TIA; 102 (45%) received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Our study demonstrated a high diagnostic agreement for AIS/TIA (88%) with a kappa of 0.75 for stroke and mimics. Of the 179 patients diagnosed with a stroke mimic on TS, 27 (15%) were diagnosed with AIS/TA by discharge. TS mimic diagnosis had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%; TS diagnosis of stroke/TIA had PPV 90%, NPV 85%. DISCUSSION: We found excellent correlation between TS and discharge diagnoses for patients with both stroke and stroke mimics. This suggests that TS systems can accurately assess a wider variety of patients with acute neurologic syndromes other than AIS.
Subject(s)
Ischemic Attack, Transient , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Humans , Female , Aged , Male , Tissue Plasminogen Activator/therapeutic use , Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy , Ischemic Attack, Transient/diagnosis , Ischemic Attack, Transient/drug therapy , Stroke/diagnosis , Stroke/drug therapy , Referral and ConsultationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) utilization in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) requires weight-based dosing and a standardized infusion rate. In our regional network, we have tried to minimize tPA dosing errors. We describe the frequency and types of tPA administration errors made in our comprehensive stroke center (CSC) and at community hospitals (CHs) prior to transfer. METHODS: Using our stroke quality database, we extracted clinical and pharmacy information on all patients who received IV tPA from 2010-11 at the CSC or CH prior to transfer. All records were analyzed for the presence of inclusion/exclusion criteria deviations or tPA errors in prescription, reconstitution, dispensing, or administration, and for association with outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 131 AIS cases treated with IV tPA: 51% female; mean age 68; 32% treated at the CSC, and 68% at CHs (including 26% by telestroke) from 22 CHs. tPA prescription and administration errors were present in 64% of all patients (41% CSC, 75% CH, P < .001), the most common being incorrect dosage for body weight (19% CSC, 55% CH, P < .001). Of the 27 overdoses, there were 3 deaths due to systemic hemorrhage or ICH. Nonetheless, outcomes (parenchymal hematoma, mortality, modified Rankin Scale score) did not differ between CSC and CH patients nor between those with and without errors. CONCLUSION: Despite focus on minimization of tPA administration errors in AIS patients, such errors were very common in our regional stroke system. Although an association between tPA errors and stroke outcomes was not demonstrated, quality assurance mechanisms are still necessary to reduce potentially dangerous, avoidable errors.
Subject(s)
Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Fibrinolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Hospitals, Community , Stroke/drug therapy , Tissue Plasminogen Activator/administration & dosage , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitals, Community/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Sneddon syndrome (SS) is characterized by livedo racemosa, recurrent ischemic strokes, and often progressive vascular dementia. Treatment options for SS center on either anticoagulation or immunosuppression to prevent strokes and to dissipate the skin findings, with these modalities based historically on the presence or absence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) respectively. However, few effective treatments have been reported to reverse the cognitive decline in SS. We report a case of a woman with seronegative SS (absence of APA) with cognitive decline who demonstrated objective and subjective improvements in her memory and emotional functioning after treatment with cyclophosphamide.
