Abstract TMP10: Impact on Mechanical Thrombectomy Time Efficiencies Following Hospital Bypass Protocol Implementation: Northwest Ohio Experience

Abstract

Background: Early stroke identification and treatment with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) increases likelihood of favorable outcome. We compared our MT time efficiencies before and after Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation Alert (RACE) bypass protocol (RA) implementation in Lucas County (LC) Ohio. Methods: Our RA protocol mandates emergent comprehensive stroke center transfer for patients with RACE score ≥ 5. We compared MT cases for RA patients (N=37) from Jul 2015-Jun 2016 with procedures performed on Stroke Alerts [(SA) N=56] from preceding 2 years. Transfers from outside LC, private transport and inhospital cases were excluded and only patients brought via LC-EMS were included in the analysis. Basic demographics, risk factors, 911 call to treatment, and outcomes were compared. Results: Treatment times including 911 call to IV tPA treatment, groin puncture, and recanalization were all significantly faster in the RA cohort (see graphic). Overall RA patients achieved recanalization and favorable outcomes at higher rate, although the latter was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our experience indicates that RA protocol is highly effective in enhancing overall time efficiency for MT and may contribute to improved clinical outcomes. Further prospective studies are warranted.