Safe Implementation Of Thrombolysis In Stroke Research Articles

Utility of A2L2 score in acute ischemic stroke patient triage: the "H.uni" experience.

Two or more National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) points on each motor items (A2L2 score) have shown good accuracy in predicting large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the prehospital setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) care. We aimed to study this score for LVO prediction in our stroke network and predictors of poor outcome (PO) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). From our Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) registry including patients receiving reperfusion therapy for AIS, we retrospectively computed the A2L2 score from the admission NIHSS to test the diagnostic accuracy for LVO prediction. Multivariable analysis for independent predictors of LVO on the entire cohort and PO from patients with LVO were performed. From the 853 patients with AIS (67% LVO), A2L2 was positive in 52%. A2L2 score (Odds ratio [OR] 4.6;95%CI 3.36-6.34), smoking (OR 2.1;95%CI 1.14-3.85), atrial fibrillation (OR 1.6;95%CI1.1-2.4) and younger age (OR 0.98;95%CI0.97-0.99) were independent predictors of LVO. A2L2 score showed 82%/49% positive/negative predictive values with 66% accuracy (64%/72% sensitivity/specificity) for LVO prediction. Age (OR 1.05;95%CI 1.03-1.07), atrial fibrillation (OR 4.85;95%CI 1.5-15.7), diabetes (OR 2.62;95% CI 1.14-6.05), dyslipidemia (OR 2;95% CI 1.04-3.87), A2L2 score (OR 2.68;95% CI 1.45-4.98), longer onset-to-groin time (OR 1.003;95% CI 1.001-1.01), MT procedure (OR 1.01;95%CI 1.003-1.02) general anaesthesia (OR 2.06;95% CI 1.1-3.83) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 12.10;95%CI 3.15-46.44) were independent predictors of PO. A2L2 score independently predicted LVO and PO after MT. Patient characteristics and procedural factors determined PO of LVO patients after MT.

Endovascular stroke therapy may be safe in patients with elevated international normalized ratio

IntroductionEndovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke is safe and efficient. However, patients receiving oral anticoagulation were excluded in the larger trials.ObjectiveTo analyze the safety of endovascular therapy in patients with...

IV thrombolysis in very severe and severe ischemic stroke: Results from the SITS-ISTR Registry.

To study the safety of off-label IV thrombolysis in patients with very severe stroke (NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] scores >25) compared with severe stroke (NIHSS scores 15-25), where treatment is within European regulations. Data were analyzed from 57,247 patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving IV tissue plasminogen activator in 793 hospitals participating in the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry (2002-2013). Eight hundred sixty-eight patients (1.5%) had NIHSS scores >25 and 19,995 (34.9%) had NIHSS scores 15-25. Outcome measures were parenchymal hemorrhage, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, mortality, and functional outcome. Parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 10.7% vs 11.0% (p = 0.79), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage per SITS-MOST (SITS-Monitoring Study) in 1.4% vs 2.5% (p = 0.052), death at 3 months in 50.4% vs 26.9% (p < 0.001), and functional independence at 3 months in 14.0% vs 29.0% (p < 0.001) of patients with NIHSS scores >25 and NIHSS scores 15-25, respectively. Multivariate adjustment did not change findings from univariate comparisons. Posterior circulation stroke was more common in patients with NIHSS scores >25 (36.2% vs 7.4%, p < 0.001), who were also more often obtunded or comatose on presentation (58.4% vs 7.1%, p < 0.001). Of patients with NIHSS scores >25, 26.2% were treated >3 hours from symptom onset vs 14.5% with NIHSS scores of 15-25. Our data show no excess risk of cerebral hemorrhage in patients with NIHSS score >25 compared to score 15-25, suggesting that the European contraindication to IV tissue plasminogen activator treatment at NIHSS levels >25 may be unwarranted. Increased mortality and lower rates of functional independence in patients with NIHSS score >25 are explained by higher stroke severity, impaired consciousness on presentation due to posterior circulation ischemia, and longer treatment delays.

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage after Intravenous Thrombolysis in Chinese Patients: Comparison of Prediction Models

To assess the performance of risk scores in predicting symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). A multicenter prospective study was performed in 811 patients who underwent IVT with standard-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5hours of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) onset in 67 stroke centers involved in the Thrombolysis Implementation and Monitor of acute ischemic Stroke in China program from May 2007 to April 2012. SEDAN (blood sugar, early infarct signs, [hyper]dense cerebral artery sign, age) score, Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS)-SICH score, Glucose Race Age Sex Pressure Stroke Severity (GRASPS) score, Multicenter Stroke Survey (MSS) score, and Stroke Prognostication using Age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (SPAN)-100 index were calculated in selected patients, and their predictive performance for SICH was compared according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST), and European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS)-II criteria. For predicting the risk of SICH (NINDS definition) after IVT, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of MSS score was the highest (.71, P<.0001). For predicting the risk of SICH (SITS-MOST definition) after IVT, the area under the ROC curve of GRASPS score was the highest (.73, P=.005). For predicting SICH (ECASS-II definition) after IVT, the area under the ROC curve of MSS score was the highest (.73, P<.0001). SITS-SICH, GRASPS, and MSS scores predicted the risk of SICH after IVT in patients with AIS, but only the latter 2 were better in the Chinese population. MSS score had the best predictive performance for SICH using NINDS and ECASS-II definitions, whereas GRASPS score was the best for SICH using the SITS-MOST definition.

Abstract 62: GRASPS Score to Predict Risk of Clinically Relevant Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage after Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Background: The NINDS Study definition of symptomatic hemorrhage (sICH) after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), requiring only minimal early worsening and minimal petechial hemorrhage, is now widely recognized as overly inclusive. Clinically relevant sICH is better defined by at least moderate worsening and parenchymal hematoma. The 6-item GRASPS scale for predicting sICH was derived from the national US Get with the Guidelines - Stroke registry based on the NINDS Study definition. For use in clinical practice, it is desirable to recalibrate the GRASPS scale to predict more stringently defined symptomatic hemorrhage. Methods: We merged prospectively collected data of patients with consecutive ischemic stroke who received tPA in 7 stroke centers. We applied the GRASPS (glucose at presentation, race [Asian], age, sex [male], systolic blood pressure at presentation, and severity of stroke at presentation [NIH Stroke Scale]) to predict Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS)-defined sICH. To derive a monotonic predictive model, we used a generalized additive model framework and fit 6 different transformations of the GRASPS score: linear scale, log scale, without and with splines, and without and with local smoothing (“loess”) to identify any non-parametric patterns. Results: The final cohort comprised 5274 eligible patients, of whom 143 (2.7%) had symptomatic ICH per SITS criteria. Based on favorable residual deviance scores and Akaike's information criterion scores, the linear transformation of raw GRASPS scores provided the best fit. With this model, the area under the curve for predicting SITS sICH was 0.68 (95% CI 0.63-0.72). Risk score values for cardinal GRASPS scale points included 0.6% for GRASPS 50, 2.4% for GRASPS 70, and 9.5% for GRASPS 90. Conclusions: The GRASPS scale showed moderate performance in predicting SITS-defined symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after IV tPA. With the predictive values available from this study, the GRASPS score can be used to assess risk of clinically relevant symptomatic hemorrhage following thrombolytic therapy.

The THRIVE score predicts symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after intravenous tPA administration in SITS-MOST.

The Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events (THRIVE) score is a clinical prediction score that predicts ischemic stroke outcomes in patients receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, endovascular stroke treatment, or no acute therapy. We have previously found an association between THRIVE and risk of post-tissue plasminogen activator symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) tissue plasminogen activator trial and risk of radiographic hemorrhage in Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive. The study aims to validate the relationship between THRIVE and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage among tissue plasminogen activator-treated patients in the large Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke - Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST). This is a retrospective analysis of the prospective SITS-MOST to examine the relationship between THRIVE and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after tissue plasminogen activator treatment. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after tissue plasminogen activator was defined according to each of three standard definitions: the NINDS, European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS), and Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was used to confirm the relationship of THRIVE and individual THRIVE components with the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and to examine the relationship of THRIVE, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and functional outcome. The odds ratio for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at each increased level of THRIVE score is 1·34 (95% CI 1·27 to 1·41, P < 0·001) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage by NINDS criteria, 1·36 (95% CI 1·27 to 1·46, P < 0·001) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage by ECASS criteria, and 1·21 (95% CI 1·09 to 1·36, P < 0·001) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage by SITS criteria. In receiver-operator characteristics analysis, the C-statistic for THRIVE prediction of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was 0·65 (95% CI 0·62 to 0·67) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage by NINDS criteria, 0·66 (95% CI 0·63 to 0·69) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage by ECASS criteria, and 0·61 (95% CI 0·56 to 0·66) for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage by SITS criteria. Each component of the THRIVE score predicts the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, with independent impact of each component in multivariable analysis. The THRIVE score predicts the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration. This external validation of the relationship between THRIVE and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in a prospective study further strengthens the role of the THRIVE score in the prediction of poststroke outcomes.

Intravenous Thrombolysis and Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke

Thrombolysis is one of the proven potential treatments for the management of acute ischemic stroke. Intravenous recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only medically approved biological thrombolysing agent for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke within 4.5h of stroke (2.2% symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage, 12.7% mortality and 58.0% functional independence), but following the guideline and criteria provided by National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke (NINDS) and SITS (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke) studies. Nepal needs to evidently introduce intravenous rt-PA in its clinical setting for treatment of acute ischemic stroke, which has been approved for more than a decade ago in developed countries. Several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors can affect the outcomes of the treatment with intravenous rt-PA. Early modification of factors predicting the risk outcomes can be a beneficial tool to justify the thrombolytic treatment. This review aims to discuss the major studies on thrombolysis using rt-PA and main factors that can affect the outcomes of treatment in ischemic stroke.

Oxfordshire community stroke project classification improves prediction of post-thrombolysis symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage

BackgroundThe Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) classification is a simple stroke classification system with value in predicting clinical outcomes. We investigated whether and how the addition of OCSP classification to the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) risk score improved the predictive performance.MethodsWe constructed an extended risk score by adding an OCSP component, which assigns 3 points for total anterior circulation infarcts, 0 point for partial anterior circulation infarcts or lacunar infarcts. Patients with posterior circulation infarcts were assigned an extended risk score of zero. We analyzed prospectively collected data from 4 hospitals to compare the predictive performance between the original and the extended scores, using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and net reclassification improvement (NRI).ResultsIn a total of 548 patients, the rates of SICH were 7.3% per the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS) definition, 5.3% per the European-Australasian Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) II, and 3.5% per the SITS-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST). Both scores effectively predicted SICH across all three definitions. The extended score had a higher AUC for SICH per NINDS (0.704 versus 0.624, P = 0.015) and per ECASS II (0.703 versus 0.612, P = 0.016) compared with the SITS SICH risk score. NRI for the extended risk score was 22.3% (P = 0.011) for SICH per NINDS, 21.2% (P = 0.018) per ECASS II, and 24.5% (P = 0.024) per SITS-MOST.ConclusionsIncorporation of the OCSP classification into the SITS SICH risk score improves risk prediction for post-thrombolysis SICH.

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage After Stroke Thrombolysis

Several prognostic scores have been developed to predict the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after ischemic stroke thrombolysis. We compared the performance of these scores in a multicenter cohort. We merged prospectively collected data of patients with consecutive ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis in 7 stroke centers. We identified and evaluated 6 scores that can provide an estimate of the risk of sICH in hyperacute settings: MSS (Multicenter Stroke Survey); HAT (Hemorrhage After Thrombolysis); SEDAN (blood sugar, early infarct signs, [hyper]dense cerebral artery sign, age, NIH Stroke Scale); GRASPS (glucose at presentation, race [Asian], age, sex [male], systolic blood pressure at presentation, and severity of stroke at presentation [NIH Stroke Scale]); SITS (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke); and SPAN (stroke prognostication using age and NIH Stroke Scale)-100 positive index. We included only patients with available variables for all scores. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and also performed logistic regression and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The final cohort comprised 3012 eligible patients, of whom 221 (7.3%) had sICH per National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 141 (4.7%) per European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II, and 86 (2.9%) per Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke criteria. The performance of the scores assessed with AUC-ROC for predicting European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II sICH was: MSS, 0.63 (95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.68); HAT, 0.65 (0.60-0.70); SEDAN, 0.70 (0.66-0.73); GRASPS, 0.67 (0.62-0.72); SITS, 0.64 (0.59-0.69); and SPAN-100 positive index, 0.56 (0.50-0.61). SEDAN had significantly higher AUC-ROC values compared with all other scores, except for GRASPS where the difference was nonsignificant. SPAN-100 performed significantly worse compared with other scores. The discriminative ranking of the scores was the same for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke definitions, with SEDAN performing best, GRASPS second, and SPAN-100 worst. SPAN-100 had the worst predictive power, and SEDAN constantly the highest predictive power. However, none of the scores had better than moderate performance.

Predicting symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis: Stroke territory as a potential pitfall

BackgroundStroke vascular territories may influence response to thrombolysis, although supporting data are limited. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the current available prediction scores might inaccurately estimate the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with posterior circulation stroke. MethodsWe applied the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) SICH risk score to data from four hospital-based stroke registries. Patients were grouped according to anterior or posterior circulation stroke. The main outcome measure was SICH per various definitions. Performance of the risk score was assessed with the c statistic. ResultsData of 518 thrombolyzed patients (434 anterior, 84 posterior) were studied. The overall rate of SICH varied from 3.5% to 6.9% depending on the SICH definition. Patients with posterior circulation stroke were less likely to have post-thrombolysis SICH per NINDS (P=0.042), per ECASS II (P=0.013), or any ICH (P=0.001), and their rate of SICH was markedly lower than predicted (1.2% versus 7.1% by the NINDS definition; 0% versus 4.8%, ECASS II; 0% versus 1.6%, SITS-MOST). The SITS SICH risk score shows moderate model discrimination across the SICH definitions, with c statistic ranging from 0.64 to 0.70. ConclusionsThe risk of SICH after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with posterior circulation stroke was low enough to render the SITS SICH risk score or other similar prediction models unnecessary. Awareness of stroke territory might help clinicians judiciously use the risk assessment models.

Safety of intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke in patients treated with warfarin

Controversy surrounds the safety of intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in ischemic stroke patients treated with warfarin. The European tPA license precludes its use in anticoagulated patients altogether. American guidelines accept IV tPA use with an international normalized ratio (INR) ≤ 1.7. The influence of warfarin on symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), arterial recanalization, and long-term functional outcome in stroke thrombolysis remains unclear. We analyzed data from 45,074 patients treated with IV tPA enrolled in the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) International Stroke Thrombolysis Register. A total of 768 patients had baseline warfarin treatment with INR ≤ 1.7. Outcome measures were SICH, arterial recanalization, mortality, and functional independence at 3 months. Patients on warfarin with INR ≤ 1.7 were older, had more comorbidities, and had more severe strokes compared to patients without warfarin. There were no significant differences between patients with and without warfarin in SICH rates (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72-2.11 per SITS-MOST; aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.82-1.70 per European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II) after adjustment for age, stroke severity, and comorbidities. Neither did warfarin independently influence mortality (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.83-1.35) or functional independence at 3 months (aOR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.81-1.24). Arterial recanalization by computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiography trended higher in warfarin patients (62% [37 of 59] vs 55% [776/1,475], p = 0.066). Recanalization approximated by disappearance at 22 to 36 hours of a baseline hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign was increased (63% [124 of 196] vs 55% [3,901 of 7,099], p = 0.022). Warfarin treatment with INR ≤ 1.7 did not increase the risk for SICH or death, and had no impact on long-term functional outcome in patients treated with IV tPA for acute ischemic stroke.

Thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke in Austria: data from the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) register

We aimed at determining the safety and efficacy of IV alteplase in Austrian versus non-Austrian centres as documented in the Internet-based registers Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis for Stroke - MOnitoring STudy (SITS-MOST) and - International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR). We analysed patient data entered in the registers SITS-MOST and SITS-ISTR in the period December 2002 to 15 November 2007. Compared to the non-Austrian cohort (n=15153), the Austrian cohort (n=896) was slightly older [median, interquartile range (IQR): 70, 60-77 years vs. 69, 60-76 years, P=0.05] and included more women (44.6% vs. 41.0%, P=0.03). Austrian patients had a significantly shorter stroke onset-to-treatment time (OTT; median, IQR: 135, 105-160 min vs. 145, 115-170 min, P<0.0005). Symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhages were observed in 1.6% of Austrian and 1.7% of non-Austrian patients (P=0.82). At 3 months, 50.8% of Austrian and 53.0% of non-Austrian patients were independent (P=0.23), but death was less frequent in Austrian patients (12.1% vs. 14.9%, P=0.03). Multivariate analyses adjusted for demographic and baseline characteristics confirmed lower mortality at 3 months in the Austrian cohort (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence intervals 0.71-0.92, P=0.001). Longer OTT was associated with increased mortality at 3 months, with a hazard ratio of 1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.03; P=0.005) for each 10-min increase in OTT. The implementation of intravenous alteplase for acute stroke has been safe and efficacious in Austrian centres. OTT and mortality were significantly lower in Austrian patients compared to non-Austrian SITS centres.

Advances in Emerging Therapies 2010

In 2010, there were significant advancements in stroke prevention, whereas there were fewer studies that unearthed new ground on treatment of acute stroke and rehabilitation. We first discuss important pivotal studies in stroke prevention followed by acute treatment and rehabilitation. ### Prevention #### Homocysteine, Folic Acid, and B Vitamins Approximately 90% of all strokes are attributable to vascular risk factors.1 Homocysteine has also been identified as another risk factor for stroke. VITAmins TO Prevent Stroke (VITATOPS) aimed to assess whether daily administration of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in patients with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack lowers homocysteine and reduces major vascular events. The data overall and pooled analysis of individual patient data showed that B vitamins have no or at most a marginal positive effect on reducing vascular events.2 #### Blood Pressure There is a correlation between blood pressure levels and risk of stroke. Data from Rothwell and colleagues now show that not only blood pressure levels, but also blood pressure variability account for stroke risk. A meta-analysis of antihypertensive drug trials found that calcium channel blockers and nonloop diuretic drugs were more effective than other antihypertensive agents to reduce blood pressure variability.3 Drug-class effects on interindividual variation in blood pressure can explain differences in effects of antihypertensive drugs on risk of stroke independently of their effects on mean systolic blood pressure. This means that the ideal antihypertensive agent should lower both blood pressure levels and variation in blood pressure to reduce stroke risk; however, we currently do not have such agents in our pharmacopeia for stroke prevention. #### Antithrombotic Drugs and Cerebrovascular Diseases New data have emerged on some age old questions about carotid dissection and intracranial stenosis. The use of aspirin or anticoagulation in spontaneous carotid artery dissection is a matter of debate with little data to guide decision-making. Data within a nonrandomized study suggest that the frequency …

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for acute stroke in Poland: an analysis based on the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) Registry

Intravenous thrombolysis was conditionally approved in the European Union (EU) in 2002, under the requirement of entering all patients into Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke - Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST). Countries not belonging to the EU by 2002, i.e. Poland were invited to enter data into the SITS International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry (SITS-ISTR). The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in the Polish SITS-ISTR stroke patient population with patients registered in SITS-MOST. 481 patients in Poland were reported between 2003 and 2007. Baseline and outcome data of Polish patients were compared with SITS-MOST. Most of the baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups. The most important was the onset-to-needle and door-to-needle times were significantly longer in Polish patients, 150 vs 136 min and 82 vs 68 min, respectively (P < 0.001). The symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and independence rates at 3 months were similar in both populations. Polish patients had a significantly higher 3-month mortality rate, 18.6% vs 11.3% (P < 0.001). Because of higher mortality the study implies the need to improve the organization of thrombolysis services and provides the rationale to continue the monitoring of treatment in Poland.

A nationwide study on topography and efficacy of the stroke treatment network in the Czech republic

The SITS (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke)-EAST project was launched in 2007 to support evidence-based stroke treatments, including thrombolytic treatments (TLTs), in Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of this study was to detail the topography, efficacy, and specific characteristics of stroke centers in the Czech Republic (CZ), the country with the highest rate of TLT. The nationwide study was performed between September and November 2007 through a questionnaire sent to all centers registered in SITS. The questionnaire contained 25 questions addressing how centers met recommendations for primary and comprehensive stroke centers in 2006. Center characteristics predicting the number of TLTs were identified by multiple regression analysis. Altogether, data were obtained from 42 centers (88% response rate) with the following characteristics [median (min-max)]: catchment area population 150,000 (90,000-750,000); number of strokes/year 420 (150-1,589); number of TLTs 7.5 (2-45); number of physicians specialized in stroke 3 (1-7). Centers treated 4.3% of the patients with ischemic strokes with tissue plasminogen activator. A stroke unit was present in 32 (78%) departments. Rescue interventional therapies were performed in 11 (26%). Financial problems restricted TLT in 14 (35%) centers. Fourteen factors were associated with the number of TLTs in univariate regression analysis, but in multiple regression analysis, only the catchment area population (p < 0.001), >3 physicians specialized in stroke (p < 0.001), and the presence of an acute interventional program (p < 0.006) remained significant. This study provides the fundamental stroke treatment network data that are essential for certification and further SITS-EAST TLT expansion.

Thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke in the United Kingdom: experience from the safe implementation of thrombolysis in stroke (SITS) register

To describe the United Kingdom (UK) experience with thrombolytic therapy with intravenous alteplase (rt-PA) for stroke, as captured by the Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) project. The multinational Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) was an observational study to assess the safety and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy, when administered within the first 3 h after onset of ischaemic stroke. SITS-MOST was embedded within the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR), an internet-based, international monitoring registry for auditing the safety and efficacy of routine therapeutic use of thrombolysis in acute ischaemic stroke. We performed an analysis of data contributed to SITS-MOST and SITS-ISTR from UK centres. A total of 614 patients received thrombolysis for stroke between December 2002 and April 2006, 327 were registered to SITS-MOST and 287 to SITS-ISTR. Thirty-one centres treated patients in the UK, of which 23 registered patients in both SITS-MOST and SITS-ISTR and eight solely to SITS-ISTR. The median age from the UK SITS-MOST was identical to the non-UK SITS-MOST register: 68 years (IQR 59-75). The majority (96.1%) of patients from the UK were treated between 8.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m., and only 18.4% were treated on weekend days, reflecting the difficulties of maintaining provision of a thrombolytic service out of hours. Median onset-to-treatment-time was 155 min (IQR 130-170 min) for the UK, compared to 140 min (IQR 114-165 min) for the non-UK SITS-MOST group (P < 0.001). UK SITS-MOST patients at baseline had more severe stroke in comparison with non-UK patients [median NIHSS 14.5 (IQR 9-19) vs. 12 (IQR 8-17) (P < 0.001)]. Forty-eight percent of UK patients achieved mRS of 0-2 (independence), compared to 55% of the non-UK SITS-MOST register. There was no significant difference in symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage rate in the UK compared with the non-UK SITS-MOST patients [2.5% (95% CI 1.3-4.8) vs. 1.7% (95% CI 1.4-2.0) P = 0.28]. In the multivariate analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in any outcome between UK and non-UK SITS-MOST patients. Thrombolytic therapy for stroke has been implemented successfully at a small number of UK stroke centres, with patchy provision throughout the country. The low frequency of treatment out with office hours suggests deficient infrastructure to support delivery. UK patients tended to be more severely affected at baseline and to be treated later. Outcomes are comparable to those seen at the non-UK SITS centres.