Abstract WMP15: Flat Panel Detector CT Assessment in Stroke to Reduce Times to Intra-Arterial Treatment (FAST-IA): A Study of Multi-Phase CTA in the Angiography Suite to Bypass Conventional Imaging

Abstract

Background: Bypassing the emergency department (ED) and the CT suite by directly transporting to the neuroangiography suite for imaging assessment and treatment may shorten reperfusion times while maintaining proper patient selection. Methods: Single-center prospective study of consecutive patients with anterior circulation LVO strokes transferred to our facility for consideration of endovascular therapy (ET) from 5/2016 to 12/2017. Those with basilar strokes and/or presenting to the ED were excluded. Patients were categorized into two groups: (1) F lat-Panel Detector CT A ssessment in S troke to Reduce T imes to I ntra- A rterial Treatment (FAST-IA) group, with patients transferred directly to the suite for Flat-Panel Detector multiphase CT angiography (FD-mCTA); and (2) Patients undergoing standard protocol including CT+/-CTA/CTP. The groups were matched for age, baseline NIHSS and pre-treatment glucose. Baseline characteristics, time metrics and outcomes were compared. Results: Out of 419 patients that underwent ET over the study period, 210 patients fit inclusion criteria, with 54 (25.7%) in the FAST-IA group. After matching, 49 FAST-IA/Control pairs were generated and analyzed. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced. FAST-IA patients had significantly shorter median door-to-puncture (33[26.5-47] vs 55[44.5-66] minutes, p<0.001), door-to-reperfusion (85[57.5-115.5]vs110[80-153],p=0.005) and picture-to-puncture (18[13.5-22.5]vs 42[32-47.5]minutes, p<0.001)times. There were no differences in rates of successful reperfusion (mTICI 2b-3, 95.9% vs 100%, p=0.5), parenchymal hematomas type-2 (4.1% vs 2%, p=1.00), good outcome (90-day mRS-0-2, 44.9% vs 40.8%, p=0.68) and 90-day mortality (14.3% vs 22.4%,p=0.30). Conclusions: Directly transferring patients to angiography and using FD-mCTA to determine eligibility for ET is safe and results in significant reduction in treatment times. Future larger studies are warranted.