ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute ischemic stroke, rt-PA rate and number of stroke centers have increased. Despite this, studies have shown racial and ethnic disparities in stroke care especially in Black and Hispanic populations. What factors are related to the administration of rt-PA within the Hispanic population has to date been unclear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of IRB approved, prospectively collected data from the UC San Diego Stroke Registry from 7/2004-7/2016. Patients were included based on the primary diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack or Ischemic Stroke. Hispanic vs non-Hispanic patients were compared to assess for overall rt-PA treatment rates and process of care intervals. For the Hispanic cohort itself, demographics and NIHSS scores were assessed to determine why some Hispanics received rt-PA while others were not. RESULTS: Overall, 1489 patients (300 Hispanic vs. 1189 non-Hispanic) were included. Comparing Hispanics to non-Hispanics, there was no difference in rt-PA rate (35.3% vs. 33.1%; p=0.49). In rt-PA treated patients, "onset to arrival" interval was higher in Hispanics (1.03 vs. 0.88 hours; p=0.04), while the "arrival to treatment" interval was not different (1.13 vs. 1.02 hours; p=0.07). When looking at Hispanic patients only, there was no difference in baseline characteristics except for initial NIHSS in treated vs. non-treated patients (13.27 vs. 7.24; p<.001). CONCLUSION: Our analyses sought to determine the factors important to administration of rt-PA to Hispanic patients. These findings highlight the need for strategies to improve recognition and presentation pathways for Hispanics.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Identification of large vessel occlusions (LVO) is important with recent guidelines supporting endovascular therapy in selected acute ischemic stroke patients. Many stroke centers perform CT angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected LVO, however this requires additional time and contrast administration. Non-enhanced CT maximum intensity projection (NECT-MIPs) may offer a rapid alternative to CTA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed acute stroke patients with LVO in the UCSD Stroke Registry, presenting between 6/2014-7/2016. NECT-MIPs were evaluated for presence of LVO. Gold standard comparison was to CTA. Results were stratified by level of training (Faculty, Fellow and Acute Care Practitioners [ACPs]). Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Fleiss' Kappa Coefficient. RESULTS: We reviewed 24 patients using NECT-MIPs for the detection of LVO. Faculty had a sensitivity and specificity of 95% & 92% for ICA/M1, 42% & 100% for M2, and 67% & 96% for basilar occlusions. Fellows and ACPs had a sensitivity and specificity of 61% & 94% for ICA/M1, 19% & 83% for M2, and 75% & 95% for basilar occlusions. Inter-rater agreement among Faculty readers was k=0.75 for ICA/M1, k=0.79 for M2 and k=0.14 for basilar occlusions. Among Fellows and ACPs, k=0.57 for ICA/M1, k=0.40 for M2, and k=0.27 for basilar occlusions. CONCLUSIONS: NECT-MIPs have high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of LVO when compared to CTA. Inter-rater agreement is fair and higher amongst more experienced reviewers. These results suggest that NECT-MIPs may be helpful to streamline the identification of LVO and reduce door to needle and door to intervention times.
