Stroke Patients In Emergency Department Research Articles

The Prediction of the Increase in intracranial Pressure in Stroke Patients Given Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator by Measuring the optic Nerve Sheath Diameter on bedside Ultrasound.

Background: The aim of this study is based on the effects of the treatment, the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA), applied to stroke patients in Emergency Departments (ED) by intravenous, to optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurements.
 Material and Methods: The study was designed as prospective and observational. A total of 41 patients were included in this study with the following diagnoses: an acute clinical stroke, known well-being within 4.5 hours, and who had a finding for rTPA. Ultrasonographic (USG) ONSD measurements have been performed on a voluntary basis with the consent of the patients and their relatives.
 Results: A statistically significant difference has been found between the ONSDs measured at the 0th, 15th, 30th and 60th minutes of the patients who were admitted to the ED and were on rTPA treatment due to stroke (p<0.05). Due to a large number of positive differences, the ONSD at the 15th, 30th, and 60th minutes was found higher than at the 0th minute. A statistically significant difference has also been found between ONSD measured at the 15th, 30th, and 60th minutes during rTPA treatment (p<0.05). Since the existence of a large number of positive differences, the ONSD at the 30th and 60th minutes is found to be higher than at the 15th minute. Finally, the difference of statistically significant values between the 30th and 60th-minute ONSD was determined by the Sign Test. According to the result of the Sign Test, a statistically significant difference was found to be between the ONSD differences of the 30th and 60th minutes of rTPA treatment (p<0.05).
 Conclusions: Serial ONSD measurements performed at the bedside during the early stage in order to follow up on the intracranial complications of stroke patients may be misleading for the follow-up of complications within the first 60 minutes, which is the most critical stage. In this stage, symptom monitoring should be used in combination with ONSD and the decision should be made for treatment continues, accordingly.

Effect of Optimized Emergency Care on Treatment Rate and Prognosis of Elderly Patients with Acute Stroke in Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective This research was to detect the treatment rate and prognosis of elderly patients with acute stroke in emergency department by the optimization of emergency care applying meta-analysis. Methods The online databases including PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, China knowledge Network Database (CNKI), China VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) were searched. The retrieval time limit was set from the establishment of the database to the present. The data were extracted independently by two investigators. The bias of per publication was assessed following Cochrane manual 5.1.0 standard. RevMan5.4 statistical software was used to analyze the collected data by meta. Results The 8 randomized controlled trials included in this meta-analysis all reported patients' baseline status. The meta-analysis of the rescue time of the study group and the control group (CH2 = 1507.80, df = 4, P ≤ 0.001, and I2 = 100%) showed that the emergency nursing with optimized emergency procedures can shorten the rescue of elderly acute stroke patients in the emergency department time. There are 6 literatures reporting the case fatality rate (Chi2 = 1.12, df = 5, P = 0.95 > 0.05, and I2 = 0%), and the death rate of the study group was not higher than that of the control group (Z = 4.4 and P < 0.0001). The use of optimized first aid can reduce mortality in elderly patients with acute stroke. Six articles on disability rate reported the heterogeneity of disability rate (CH2 = 2.88, df = 5, P = 0.72 > 0.05, and I2 = 0%), indicating that the disability rate in the study group was lower than that in the control group (Z = 3.91 and P < 0.0001), indicating that emergency nursing by optimizing emergency procedures can reduce the disability rate of elderly stroke patients in emergency department. Conclusion Optimizing the emergency care process can effectively improve the emergency rate and prognosis of elderly patients with acute stroke in emergency department; however, further research with higher methodological quality and longer intervention time are needed to verify later.

Diagnostic value of whole-brain computed tomographic perfusion imaging for suspected large artery occlusion stroke patients in emergency department.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of whole-brain computed tomographic perfusion (WB-CTP) in emergency department for suspected large artery occlusion stroke. Suspected large artery occlusion (LAO) stroke patients had initial WB-CTP in the neurological emergency department from August 2016 to August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of non-contrast computed tomographic scan (NCCT) or WB-CTP for diagnosis of cerebral infarction was compared between the anterior circulation and posterior circulation. The imaging characteristics of WB-CTP in patients with stroke-mimics were described. Among the 300 included patients, 259 patients (86.3%) were finally diagnosed as cerebral infarction, 16 (5.3%) were transient ischemic attack, 10 (3.3%) were epileptic seizure and 3 (1%) were cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). For patients with final diagnosis of cerebral infarction, WB-CTP found abnormality in 206 cases (79.5%). NCCT had poor sensitivity (4.6%) but high specificity (100%) for cerebral infarction. The CTP imaging had a sensitivity of 81.2% in anterior circulation and 59.6% in posterior circulation stroke, both with good specificity (57.1% and 92.6%, respectively). 60% (6/10) of epileptic patients showed abnormal perfusion in CTP maps, which was inconsistent with cerebral arterial supply territories. Hypoperfusion manifestations were discovered in areas adjacent to occlusion sinus of all 3 CVST cases. This retrospective study indicates WB-CTP can be useful in identifying acute ischemic stroke in emergency department, especially for patients with acute LAO stroke. Moreover, WB-CTP may have a value in differentiating stroke mimics such as epilepsy and CVST.

The Relationship of LDH and Hematological Parameters with Ischemic Volume and Prognosis in Cerebrovascular Disease.

To determine whether lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) values can be used as a prediction for their relationship with stroke volume (SV) and for in-hospital mortality in stroke patients in Emergency Department (ED). Analytical study. Balikesir University, Turkey from 24/03/2021 to 30/06/2021. Patients aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with stroke in ED, were included in the study. Stroke volumes were calculated from diffusion-weighted images (DWi) with 3D slicer software using image-based semi-automatic and manual segmentation methods. Of the 265 patients, 128 (48.3%) were males. SV was significantly higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (p=0.007). NLR was significantly higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (p=0.018). The ratios of NLR and SV stand out as practical parameters for the estimation of mortality, prognosis, and management of patients diagnosed with acute stroke. Taking into account, these parameters in the diagnosis process and prognosis management in EDs will provide convenience. Key Words: Ischemia, NLR, Stroke volume, Cerebrovasular accident, Prognosis.

The Effect of Uric Acid Levels on Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in Emergency Department

The Effect of Uric Acid Levels on Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in Emergency Department

Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on emergency and stroke care in a German tertiary stroke center

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in stroke care in several countries. The objective was to describe lockdown stroke care in a tertiary stroke center in Düsseldorf, Germany near Heinsberg, a German hot spot for COVID-19 in spring 2020.MethodsIn a retrospective, observational, single-center study, we compared all patients treated in our emergency department (ED), patients seen by a neurologist in the ED, ED patients suffering from ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) as well as stroke patients admitted to our stroke unit during lockdown in spring 2020 (16 March 2020–12 April 2020) to those cared for during the same period in 2019 and lockdown light in fall 2020 (2 November – 29 November 2020).ResultsIn spring 2020 lockdown the mean number of patients admitted to our ED dropped by 37.4%, seen by a neurologist by 35.6%, ED stroke patients by 19.2% and number of patients admitted to our stroke unit by 10% compared to the same period in 2019. In fall lockdown light 2020 effects were comparable but less pronounced. Thrombolysis rate was stable during spring and fall lockdown, however, endovascular treatment (EVT) rate declined by 58% in spring lockdown and by 51% in fall lockdown compared to the period in 2019.ConclusionsOur study indicates a profound reduction of overall ED patients, neurological ED patients and EVT during COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns. Planning for pandemic scenarios should include access to effective emergency therapies.

Abstract P816: Nurse-Driven Rapid Covid-19 Testing in Emergency Department Stroke Patients

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic presents obstacles to time sensitive emergencies, such as stroke care. In acute strokes, knowing the COVID-19 status may help to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) in patients in whom a thrombectomy may be indicated and helps to decrease unnecessary exposure. This study aims to demonstrate that rapid evaluation of a patient’s COVID-19 status is feasible without delaying treatment times. Methods: An intradisciplinary team was convened to create a workflow for rapid COVID-19 testing. The Abbott Rapid® COVID-19 swab kit and assay were stocked in the ED Pyxis, utilizing the narcotic count feature to ensure all swabs were accounted. Upon activation of Code Stroke, the ED RN donned PPE and swabbed the patient’s naso-oral pharynx. The collected swab was labeled, placed in a bio-hazard bag, sanitized and handed to a second RN outside of the room. The specimen was taken to a pre-alerted lab technician who prepped the assay after hearing the code stroke. After specimen collection, the patient followed the normal code stroke pathway and was taken to the CT scanner. Metrics were analyzed for the pre COVID-19 (January through April) and during active COVID-19 (May through July) periods. Results: There were 136 code strokes from January thru July 2020. 81 were during pre-COVID vs. 55 during active-COVID. 47 of 55 (96%) were swabbed, 2 (4%) of whom were positive. There was no difference between pre-COVID and active-COVID door to CT initiated time (16 mins [IQR 13-24] vs. 22 mins [IQR 13-25] p=0.75), door to CT resulted time (21 mins [IQR 15-26]) vs. 23 mins [IQR 16-29] p=0.63). 18 patients received tPA pre-COVID and 5 during active-COVID with no difference in DTN (pre: 37.5 mins [IQR 30-43] vs. active: 28 mins {IQR 26-41] p=0.37). Door to CT initiated was faster for those who had their COVID swab performed pre-CT (14 mins [IQR 11.5-16.5] p=0.034) vs. post-CT (20 mins [IQR 17-28]). Likewise, door to CT resulted was also faster pre-CT: 24 mins [IQR 19-32] vs. post-CT: 17 mins [IQR 15-23] (p=0.04). Conclusion: The COVID-19 rapid swab code stroke process was feasible and did not delay treatment times.

Process evaluation of an implementation trial to improve the triage, treatment and transfer of stroke patients in emergency departments (T3 trial): a qualitative study

BackgroundThe implementation of evidence-based protocols for stroke management in the emergency department (ED) for the appropriate triage, administration of tissue plasminogen activator to eligible patients, management of fever, hyperglycaemia and swallowing, and prompt transfer to a stroke unit were evaluated in an Australian cluster-randomised trial (T3 trial) conducted at 26 emergency departments. There was no reduction in 90-day death or dependency nor improved processes of ED care. We conducted an a priori planned process influential factors that impacted upon protocol uptake.MethodsQualitative face-to-face interviews were conducted with purposively selected ED and stroke clinicians from two high- and two low-performing intervention sites about their views on factors that influenced protocol uptake. All Trial State Co-ordinators (n = 3) who supported the implementation at the 13 intervention sites were also interviewed. Data were analysed thematically using normalisation process theory as a sensitising framework to understand key findings, and compared and contrasted between interviewee groups.ResultsTwenty-five ED and stroke clinicians, and three Trial State Co-ordinators were interviewed. Three major themes represented key influences on evidence uptake: (i) Readiness to change: reflected strategies to mobilise and engage clinical teams to foster cognitive participation and collective action; (ii) Fidelity to the protocols: reflected that beliefs about the evidence underpinning the protocols impeded the development of a shared understanding about the applicability of the protocols in the ED context (coherence); and (iii) Boundaries of care: reflected that appraisal (reflexive monitoring) by ED and stroke teams about their respective boundaries of clinical practice impeded uptake of the protocols.ConclusionsDespite initial high ‘buy-in’ from clinicians, a theoretically informed and comprehensive implementation strategy was unable to overcome system and clinician level barriers. Initiatives to drive change and integrate protocols rested largely with senior nurses who had to overcome contextual factors that fell outside their control, including low medical engagement, beliefs about the supporting evidence and perceptions of professional boundaries. To maximise uptake of evidence and adherence to intervention fidelity in complex clinical settings such as ED cost-effective strategies are needed to overcome these barriers.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12614000939695).

233 The Impact of a Large Vessel Screening Tool to Reduce Delays in Evaluation and Intervention in Emergency Department Stroke Patients

The DAWN and DEFUSE-3 trials established endovascular thrombectomy (ET) as standard care for select patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) up to 24 hours from last known well (LKW). In 2018, our institution, a 600-bed Level-1 teaching hospital and Comprehensive Stroke Center with 62,000 emergency department (ED) visits per year, expanded stroke alert activation to include all patients presenting with stroke symptoms within 24 hours of LKW. However, while our volume of stroke alerts increased substantially with this stroke window expansion, the specificity of our alert process declined as many alerted patients were not eligible for neurovascular intervention. In January 2019, with the goal of improving the specificity of our stroke alert and reduce delays in treatment, we revised our stroke alert criteria to include an LVO screening tool such that patients with > 6 hours of stroke symptoms who did not have exam findings consistent with an underlying LVO did not trigger an emergent stroke alert. The vision, aphasia, and neglect (VAN) is a screening tool designed to rapidly assess for possible LVO. In 2019, we trained all emergency physicians and nurses to assess all stroke patients on arrival to the ED using the VAN screening tool. Patients with a LKW of < 6 hours or who had > 6 hours since LKW, but were VAN positive triggered a stroke alert within our facility. We then retrospectively reviewed ED stroke alert data from 2018 after we extended our stroke alert window and 2019 when we revised our stroke protocol to include the VAN tool. We compared process metrics pre- and post- intervention with our new protocol using the VAN tool. We report mean times (min) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and perform comparisons using Student’s t-tests. In 2018, our ED called 596 stroke alerts; 170 patients (30.2%) were ultimately diagnosed with ischemic stroke. January through March of 2019, 106 alerts were activated, of which 37 were diagnosed with an ischemic stroke (35%) following the implementation of our new VAN protocol. In 2018, 52 patients (8.7%) received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and 37 patients (6.4%) underwent ET, compared to 14 patients (13.2%) receiving tPA and 2 patients (1.9 %) undergoing ET in 2019. Mean door to alert time decreased from 18 min [16.5, 19.4] in 2018 to 13 min [6.26,11.74] in 2019 (p = 0.024). Mean treatment times decreased from door to tPA of 57.1 min [48.5, 66.1] in 2018 to 53.3. min [50.27, 56.34] in 2019 (p= 0.15), and door to groin puncture of 93.6 min [74.2, 113] in 2018 to 64 min [36.56, 91.44] in 2019 ( p> .05). Utilizing the VAN screening tool as part of our stroke alert protocol improved the overall specificity of our stroke alert. Additionally, we observed decreased door to alert, door to tPA, and door to thrombectomy times, following the implementation of our new protocol. The LVO screening tool does not appear to dramatically reduce stroke resource utilization within the ED; however, the teaching of this screening tool likely improved provider education to detect stroke symptoms and reduced delays in assessment and treatment.

Abstract 14: Significantly Reducing Stroke Door to Needle Times through Stroke Nurse Facilitators and Administering Bolus in CT

Background and Issues: Eliminating treatment delays for acute ischemic stroke patients to meet the national door to needle (DTN) Target Stroke Phase II goals continues to present a challenge for many facilities. Although the Stroke Alert process is usually guided by strict protocols it can still suffer delays from a lack of communication and facilitation to ensure rapid patient assessment and treatment. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to eliminate Stroke Alert delays related to communication and lack of facilitation by implementing a Stroke Nurse Facilitator (SNF) and allow intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to be successfully started in the CT room. Methods: An interdisciplinary team conducted a Pareto analysis on DTN delays and found communication to be the most common. Communication was also felt to be the biggest barrier to starting tPA in the CT room. The role of a SNF was created and mapped into the Stroke Alert process to overcome these barriers. The role launched in November 2016. Six months later, after the role became an integral part in the Stroke Alert process, the team moved forward with administering tPA in the CT room as part of the process. Results: DTN was measured in 61 emergency department stroke patients, 34 in the pre-intervention, 12 in the SNF only, and 15 in the SNF and tPA in CT groups. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann Whitney U test. Although not statistically significant due to the small sample size, there was a large improvement in DTN from pre (n=34) to the first intervention group [Z= 11.19, p=.06, d =.84]. The improvement from DTN from pre to the second intervention group was very large and statistically significant [Z= 24.00, p&lt;.001, d = 1.34]. There was no statistically significant difference in the outcome between the two post groups. The total difference between pre and post samples was large and statistically significant (t=4.46, p&lt;.001, d = 1.10). Conclusions: Successful communication and facilitation is crucial to achieve positive outcomes or process improvements. Implementing a SNF to overcome these barriers could prove to be a successful strategy to improving DTN times for acute stroke patients.

Development of a theory-informed implementation intervention to improve the triage, treatment and transfer of stroke patients in emergency departments using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF): the T3 Trial

BackgroundTheoretical frameworks and models based on behaviour change theories are increasingly used in the development of implementation interventions. Development of an implementation intervention is often based on the available evidence base and practical issues, i.e. feasibility and acceptability. The aim of this study was to describe the development of an implementation intervention for the T3 Trial (Triage, Treatment and Transfer of patients with stroke in emergency departments (EDs)) using theory to recommend behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and drawing on the research evidence base and practical issues of feasibility and acceptability.MethodsA stepped method for developing complex interventions based on theory, evidence and practical issues was adapted using the following steps: (1) Who needs to do what, differently? (2) Using a theoretical framework, which barriers and enablers need to be addressed? (3) Which intervention components (behaviour change techniques and mode(s) of delivery) could overcome the modifiable barriers and enhance the enablers? A researcher panel was convened to review the list of BCTs recommended for use and to identify the most feasible and acceptable techniques to adopt.ResultsSeventy-six barriers were reported by hospital staff who attended the workshops (step 1: thirteen TDF domains likely to influence the implementation of the T3 Trial clinical intervention were identified by the researchers; step 2: the researcher panellists then selected one third of the BCTs recommended for use as appropriate for the clinical context of the ED and, using the enabler workshop data, devised enabling strategies for each of the selected BCTs; and step 3: the final implementation intervention consisted of 27 BCTs).ConclusionsThe TDF was successfully applied in all steps of developing an implementation intervention for the T3 Trial clinical intervention. The use of researcher panel opinion was an essential part of the BCT selection process to incorporate both research evidence and expert judgment. It is recommended that this stepped approach (theory, evidence and practical issues of feasibility and acceptability) is used to develop highly reportable implementation interventions. The classifying of BCTs using recognised implementation intervention components will facilitate generalisability and sharing across different conditions and clinical settings.

Application of national early warning score in prognosis of stroke patients in the emergency department

Objective To discuss the feasibility and applicability in prognosis prediction of t he National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for stroke patients in emergency department through comparing NEWS and modified early warning score(MEWS). Methods 1 195 cases of stroke patients for NEWS and MEWS from May 2013 to June 2015 in emergency centerwere chosen, and were tracked prognosis for 30 days, two score prediction ability were compared. Results When took death as prediction index, the area under the ROC curve of NEWS was AZ=0.906, sensitivity was 84.1% ,specificity was 86.1%,best truncated point was 4.5 score; The area under the ROC curve of MEWS was AZ=0.846,sensitivity was 80.5%,specificity was 77.9%,best truncated point was 2.5 score, the difference was statistically significant between them (Z=3.324,P<0.05).It showed that NEWS had higher value than MEWS in prognosis prediction for stroke patients in emergency department. Conclusions NEWS score is a good tool to predict stroke patients in emergency department, which has better value than MEWS. Key words: Stroke; Prognosis; National Early Warning Score; Modified Early Warning Score

Abstract WP350: Pumping Against Gravity - Cardiac Function Affects Fluctuations in Cerebral Blood Flow Caused by Head Position Change in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients often have the head-of-bed (HOB) elevated to 30 0 while in the Emergency Department (ED). Flat HOB positioning has been shown to impact cerebral flow. Whether this holds true in undifferentiated, ED stroke patients is unknown. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that 0 0 HOB positioning improves middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocity (MFV) in AIS compared to 30 0 . We secondarily tested the hypothesis that lower cardiac output (CO) is associated with greater fluctuation of MFV. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with repeat measurements of MCA MFV at 30 0 and 0 0 HOB position. Patients &gt; 18 years presenting to the ED within 12 hours of symptom onset and a NIHSS ≥ 4 were eligible. After applying non-invasive monitoring of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and CO, an investigator used transcranial Doppler to obtain bilateral MCA MFV at 30 0 and 0 0 HOB position. If a signal was unobtainable on the ischemic side, the contralateral MFV was used for analysis. The primary analysis comprised all subjects with confirmed stroke on subsequent imaging and included student t-test for continuous measures. Secondary analysis used multiple linear regression to test if baseline NIHSS, age, MAP and CO were associated with changes in MFV. Results: There were 38 subjects enrolled, of whom 32 had confirmed AIS and were included in analysis. The mean age was 66 (±15) years and NIHSS 7 (±6). Stroke location was mixed (50% lacunar, 25% posterior and 25% anterior circulation). Averaged across all subjects, the MFV did not significantly increase when changing the HOB position from a 30 0 to 0 0 (+0.7 cm/s, 95% CI -1.6 to 3.1). Nevertheless, 16% (95% CI 5-33%) of subjects had a ≥ 20% increase and 47% (95% CI 29-65%) had any increase in MFV at 0 0 compared to 30 0 HOB. Adjusting for age, NIHSS and MAP, lower CO was associated with greater change in MFV (+2 cm/s [95% CI 0.2-3.7 cm/s] for every 1 L/min lower cardiac output, p=0.03). Conclusions: In conclusion, in a mixed sample of ED AIS patients, lower HOB position does not significantly impact cerebral flow on average, yet a considerable proportion of individuals may benefit from lower HOB position. Low cardiac output may identify those that benefit most.

Acute Stroke Initiative Involving an Acute Care Team

The Acute Care Team Educational Initiative (ACTEI) was developed as a quality improvement initiative for the recognition and initial management of time-sensitive medical conditions. For our first time-sensitive disease process, we focused on acute stroke [acute stroke initiative (ASI)]. As part of the larger ACTEI, the ASI included creating an ACT that responds to all suspected emergency department stroke patients. In this article, we describe the planning, process, and development of the ACTEI/ASI as well as how we created an acute response team for the diagnosis and management of suspected acute stroke.

404 Accuracy of Body Weight Estimates in Acute Emergency Department Stroke Patients

404 Accuracy of Body Weight Estimates in Acute Emergency Department Stroke Patients

Healthcare Applications and Services in Converged Networking Environments

Healthcare Applications and Services in Converged Networking Environments

393: Use of a Novel Portable Computerized EEG Device in Emergency Department Stroke Patients

393: Use of a Novel Portable Computerized EEG Device in Emergency Department Stroke Patients

Stroke thrombolysis in the emergency department as an alternative service for community hospitals lacking a stroke unit

A significant advancement in the management of acute ischemic stroke has been the use of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). French guidelines recommend that stroke patients should be treated in stroke units (SU); however, community hospitals experience practical difficulties in treating their patients because SUs are not sufficient in number. Only one SU is available in the Aquitaine area (southwest of France) and it is located in Bordeaux. To improve quality of care and to provide modern stroke therapy, we decided to assess whether thrombolysis was feasible in our community hospital located in Pau, 200 km from Bordeaux. Selected patients were treated with rtPA and observed for 24 h in the emergency department. According to French legislation, rtPA therapy was defined as 'off-label use'. National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) was obtained on admission, immediately after treatment and 24 h after treatment. Results from the first 40 patients are reported in this study. They were treated between September 2004 and June 2006. In total, 1169 patients were admitted for stroke during this period. Outcomes and mortality rates were consistent with experience elsewhere. According to the local infrastructural criteria and prerequisites described in this study, thrombolysis is a viable and feasible treatment option for stroke patients in emergency departments of French community hospitals. In the absence of an SU, this type of emergency treatment can be used as an alternative until SUs become more numerous throughout the country.