Adequate access to mechanical thrombectomy during COVID-19 pandemic in lesser Poland Voivodeship in Poland

Abstract

Many studies have shown that COVID-19 pandemic decreased the access to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. We studied, if the pandemic affected the access to MT in Lesser Poland Voivodeship (LPV) located in southeastern Poland (3.36 million of inhabitants). In LPV patients with AIS are admitted to the nearest stroke unit in the region (15-unit Stroke Network), where intravenous thrombolysis is performed. Those fulfilling the criteria for MT are admitted to the Comprehensive Stroke Unit at the University Hospital in Krakow. We compared the number of MT performed within 12 months before pandemic outburst, from March 2019 to February 2020 with the number of MT performed during pandemic, from March 2020 to February 2021. We also compared the time from stroke onset (SO) to groin puncture (GP) during the two studied periods. 146 had MTs performed during pre-pandemic period and 182 during the pandemic period. The number of MTs in the consecutive months of both periods was similar up to Novembers. The number of MT doubled from December 2020 to January 2021 as compared to the same period of time a year earlier. The mean SO-GP times were similar in both analyzed periods.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) In LPV the number of MTs during COVID-19 pandemic was similar or even higher as compared to the corresponding pre-pandemic period. The time of the access to MT was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results reflect the efficiency of the local medical system for stroke care, irrespectively of the COVID-19 challenges.