Simulation-based training improves process times in acute stroke care (STREAM).

BACKGROUND: The objective of the STREAM Trial was to evaluate the effect of simulation training on process times in acute stroke care. METHODS: The multicenter prospective interventional STREAM Trial was conducted between 10/2017 and 04/2019 at seven tertiary care neurocenters in Germany with a pre- and post-interventional observation phase. We recorded patient characteristics, acute stroke care process times, stroke team composition and simulation experience for consecutive direct-to-center patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT). The intervention consisted of a composite intervention centered around stroke-specific in situ simulation training. Primary outcome measure was the 'door-to-needle' time (DTN) for IVT. Secondary outcome measures included process times of EVT and measures taken to streamline the pre-existing treatment algorithm. RESULTS: The effect of the STREAM intervention on the process times of all acute stroke operations was neutral. However, secondary analyses showed a DTN reduction of 5 min from 38 min pre-intervention (interquartile range [IQR] 25-43 min) to 33 min (IQR 23-39 min, p = 0.03) post-intervention achieved by simulation-experienced stroke teams. Concerning EVT, we found significantly shorter door-to-groin times in patients who were treated by teams with simulation experience as compared to simulation-naive teams in the post-interventional phase (-21 min, simulation-naive: 95 min, IQR 69-111 vs. simulation-experienced: 74 min, IQR 51-92, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: An intervention combining workflow refinement and simulation-based stroke team training has the potential to improve process times in acute stroke care.

Simulation-Based Training of the Rapid Evaluation and Management of Acute Stroke (STREAM)-A Prospective Single-Arm Multicenter Trial.

Introduction: Acute stroke care delivered by interdisciplinary teams is time-sensitive. Simulation-based team training is a promising tool to improve team performance in medical operations. It has the potential to improve process times, team communication, patient safety, and staff satisfaction. We aim to assess whether a multi-level approach consisting of a stringent workflow revision based on peer-to-peer review and 2-3 one-day in situ simulation trainings can improve acute stroke care processing times in high volume neurocenters within a 6 months period. Methods and Analysis: The trial is being carried out in a pre-test-post-test design at 7 tertiary care university hospital neurocenters in Germany. The intervention is directed at the interdisciplinary multiprofessional stroke teams. Before and after the intervention, process times of all direct-to-center stroke patients receiving IV thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular therapy (EVT) will be recorded. The primary outcome measure will be the "door-to-needle" time of all consecutive stroke patients directly admitted to the neurocenters who receive IVT. Secondary outcome measures will be intervention-related process times of the fraction of patients undergoing EVT and effects on team communication, perceived patient safety, and staff satisfaction via a staff questionnaire. Interventions: We are applying a multi-level intervention in cooperation with three "STREAM multipliers" from each center. First step is a central meeting of the multipliers at the sponsor's institution with the purposes of algorithm review in a peer-to-peer process that is recorded in a protocol and an introduction to the principles of simulation training and debriefing as well as crew resource management and team communication. Thereafter, the multipliers cooperate with the stroke team trainers from the sponsor's institution to plan and execute 2-3 one-day simulation courses in situ in the emergency department and CT room of the trial centers whereupon they receive teaching materials to perpetuate the trainings. Clinical Trial Registration: STREAM is a registered trial at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03228251.

Long-term follow up of 3 T MRI-detected brain lesions after percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) for stroke prevention is an increasingly performed intervention. AIMS: This prospective study aims to evaluate the incidence of long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected brain lesions as well as potential changes of neurocognitive function after percutaneous LAAC. METHODS: Brain MRI at 3 T was performed within 24 hr before and after LAAC. A follow-up MRI was carried out after three months. Neuro-cognitive examination using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Test was performed. RESULTS: Successful device implantation was achieved in all 25 patients (age 74.6 ± 10.2 years, male = 17) using the Amulet (n = 20), Occlutech (n = 3), or a Lambre (n = 2) device. In 12/25 (48%) patients, acute brain lesions (ABL) were detected after LAAC. A three-month follow-up MRI was performed in seven patients, and no new ABLs were seen. In 5/7 (71%) patients, there were no residual changes from the ABLs detectable. However, the FLAIR sequence was still positive in two patients. After LAAC, there were no significant differences in the MoCA-test (mean 24.3 ± 4.5 vs. 23.5 ± 4.5; P = 0.1) and the NIHSS-score (mean 0.9 ± 1.6 vs. 1.2 ± 1.8; P = 0.1). This was the same at the three-month follow-up (MoCA-test 23.5 ± 4.5 vs. 23.8 ± 2.7; P = 0.3; NIHSS-score 1.2 ± 1.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.8; P = 0.4). CONCLUSION: While new MRI-detected brain lesions are commonly observed after percutaneous LAAC, ABLs were no longer detectable in 71% of the patients at the three-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in neurocognitive function after LAAC and at the three-month follow-up.

Left atrial appendage angiography is associated with the incidence and number of magnetic resonance imaging-detected brain lesions after percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous catheter-based left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is a procedure being increasingly performed in patients with atrial fibrillation and high bleeding risk. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected acute brain lesions (ABLs) as well as potential changes in neurocognitive function after percutaneous LAAC in patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Brain MRI at 3 T was performed within 24 hours before and after LAAC along with neurologic (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score) and cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] test) assessment. Acquired MRI sequences included high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging as well as fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. RESULTS: Successful device implantation was achieved in all 23 patients (age 74.1 ± 10.5 years; 16 male) using the Amulet (n = 18), Occlutech (n = 3), or LAmbre (n = 2) device. Thirty-seven ABLs were detected by MRI in 12 of 23 patients (52%) after LAAC. The number of periprocedural LAA angiographies was significantly higher in patients with ABL than in those without ABL (1.67 ± 0.65 vs 1.18 ± 0.41; P = .048) and was associated with a higher number of ABL (ρ = 0.615; P = .033). Compared to pre-LAAC assessment, post-LAAC MoCA and NIHSS scores revealed similar results. After LAAC, MoCA test (mean 24.1 ± 4.6 vs 23.2 ± 4.6; P = .09) and NIHSS score (mean 1.0 ± 1.7 vs 1.2 ± 1.8; P = .1) were similar between patients with and those without ABL, respectively. CONCLUSION: MRI-detected ABLs are commonly observed after percutaneous LAAC. The number of LAA angiographies is significantly associated with the number of ABLs; however, the clinical implications of ABL have yet to be determined.