Stroke Prevention Services Research Articles

Development of the Erdanela model for stroke prevention in the elderly: Effectiveness Test

A new stroke-prevention service (ERDANELA model) has been developed at nursing homes by empowering elderly caregivers to become service-implementing cadres. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of empowerment on the knowledge, attitude, skill, and behavior of elderly caregivers about stroke-prevention services in nursing homes. A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 52 elderly caregivers who were working at 3 nursing homes in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The questionnaire design consists of knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behavior variables. Intervention in the form of training was carried out for three days, using pre-test and post-test methods. The results of this research are the majority of caregivers are 40-49 years old (34.60%), male (51.9%), have middle school education (48.10%), have monthly income bigger than the RMW (75.00%), worked in nursing home>5 years (67.30%), and never attended training while working at nursing-home (73,10%). Caregivers knowledge, attitude, skill, and behavior mean was 18.23±1.89, 7.65±1.22, 6.75±1.37 and 6.00±0,91 respectively before training, and significantly it has increased to 25.48±3.38, 10.15±.09, 9.10±0.96, and 7.06±1.43 respectively after training with sig=0.000<0.05. Empowerment has succeeded in increasing the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors of elderly caregivers to become service-implementing cadres of the new stroke-prevention service at nursing homes

Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Secondary Prevention of Stroke Update 2020.

The 2020 update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations (CSBPR) for the Secondary Prevention of Stroke includes current evidence-based recommendations and expert opinions intended for use by clinicians across a broad range of settings. They provide guidance for the prevention of ischemic stroke recurrence through the identification and management of modifiable vascular risk factors. Recommendations address triage, diagnostic testing, lifestyle behaviors, vaping, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, other cardiac conditions, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, and carotid and vertebral artery disease. This update of the previous 2017 guideline contains several new or revised recommendations. Recommendations regarding triage and initial assessment of acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke have been simplified, and selected aspects of the etiological stroke workup are revised. Updated treatment recommendations based on new evidence have been made for dual antiplatelet therapy for TIA and minor stroke; anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation; embolic strokes of undetermined source; low-density lipoprotein lowering; hypertriglyceridemia; diabetes treatment; and patent foramen ovale management. A new section has been added to provide practical guidance regarding temporary interruption of antithrombotic therapy for surgical procedures. Cancer-associated ischemic stroke is addressed. A section on virtual care delivery of secondary stroke prevention services in included to highlight a shifting paradigm of care delivery made more urgent by the global pandemic. In addition, where appropriate, sex differences as they pertain to treatments have been addressed. The CSBPR include supporting materials such as implementation resources to facilitate the adoption of evidence into practice and performance measures to enable monitoring of uptake and effectiveness of recommendations.

Cohort Study of Features Used by Experts to Diagnose Transient Ischemic Attack

The diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) is largely dependent on a process of clinical decision-making that remains poorly characterized in the absence of a validated and accessible biomarker or imaging test. We performed a retrospective chart review to identify variables associated with a final neurologist diagnosis of TIA/stroke. Records for all patients seen in The Ottawa Hospital's Stroke Prevention Clinic in 2015 were analyzed for patient and referral characteristics, features of the presenting neurological event, and final diagnosis by a stroke neurologist (classified as definite, possible, or definite not TIA/stroke). Multinomial logistic regression analysis with backward elimination was used to identify variables associated with the final diagnosis. Our inclusion criteria were met by 1894 patients. After backward elimination, 23 potentially important variables were identified, including monocular vision loss (odds ratio [OR]: 30.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.6-63.3), symptoms of sudden onset (OR: 28.3, 95% CI: 14.2-56.2), unilateral weakness affecting 2 or 3 of face, arm, or leg (OR: 17.7, 95% CI: 9.8-31.7), and homonymous hemianopia (OR: 16.6, 95% CI: 8.1-34.0). Accurate diagnosis of TIA is essential to initiating appropriate secondary stroke prevention therapies. A focus on elements of the patient history most commonly associated with a final diagnosis of TIA/stroke may help to identify patients in greatest need of urgent SPC assessment and allow for the provision of effective and efficient stroke prevention services.

Geographic Access to Stroke Care Services in Rural Communities in Ontario, Canada.

Optimal stroke care requires access to resources such as neuroimaging, acute revascularization, rehabilitation, and stroke prevention services, which may not be available in rural areas. We aimed to determine geographic access to stroke care for residents of rural communities in the province of Ontario, Canada. We used the Ontario Road Network File database linked with the 2016 Ontario Acute Stroke Care Resource Inventory to estimate the proportion of people in rural communities, defined as those with a population size <10,000, who were within 30, 60, and 240 minutes of travel time by car from stroke care services, including brain imaging, thrombolysis treatment centers, stroke units, stroke prevention clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and endovascular treatment centers. Of the 1,496,262 people residing in rural communities, the majority resided within 60 minutes of driving time to a center with computed tomography (85%), thrombolysis (81%), a stroke unit (68%), a stroke prevention clinic (74%), or inpatient rehabilitation (77.0%), but a much lower proportion (32%) were within 60 minutes of driving time to a center capable of providing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Most rural Ontario residents have appropriate geographic access to stroke services, with the exception of EVT. This information may be useful for jurisdictions seeking to optimize the regional organization of stroke care services.

199 Hospital Discharges for Acute Stroke in Ireland: National Data 2005-2017

Abstract Background Acute stroke and its aftermath is the commonest cause of acquired disability amongst community dwelling adults. Analysis of hospital discharge rates over time and the influence of patient age is important and may offer important insights on how best to configure stroke prevention and clinical services. Here, we analyse hospital discharge data for Ireland for 2005-2017. Methods A retrospective review of stroke discharges, with a primary diagnosis of stroke or subarachnoid haemorrhage, was performed. National data on acute hospital discharge from all acute hospitals in Ireland was obtained from the Hospital Inpatient Patient Enquiry (HIPE) database for discharges between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2017. Results were examined across 4 age groups; 15-49 years, 49 to 64 years, 65 to 80 years and &gt;80 years. Age specific acute stroke hospital discharge rates were calculated using Irish population census data. Results There has been a steady increase in the incidence of ischaemic stroke in those between 15- 49 years between 2005-2017 (0.08 v 0.18 per 1,000 patient-years). Rates of haemorrhagic stroke remained stable. A similar increase was noted in those aged 50-64 years. There is a small downward trend in the incidence of ischaemic stroke in the 65-80 year age category (4.31 v 3.82 per 1000-patient years), with the biggest decrease in females. Stroke rates in the over 80s has remained stable. Conclusion Better understanding is needed of the risk factors underlying this worrying trend. Clinical service providers will need to adapt to better deal with the challenges specific to stroke at younger age.

Top 10 global educational topics in stroke: A survey by the World Stroke Organization.

As part of a program of work to develop an educational strategy and implementation plan for the World Stroke Organization, we conducted a survey of World Stroke Organization members (health professionals, laypersons (Stroke Support Organizations)) to identify their potential educational needs. We developed a questionnaire to identify priority educational needs in consultation with the World Stroke Organization Education Committee. The World Stroke Organization invited all individual members and associated Stroke Support Organizations to complete the questionnaire via a web-based survey. Survey responses were supplemented by questionnaires emailed directly to key persons in Stroke Support Organizations and information from semi-structured telephone interviews, where necessary. The questionnaire asked respondents to prioritize topics in diagnosis, management of acute stroke, stroke care services, stroke rehabilitation, and stroke prevention. Free-text responses were assessed with word cloud. The online survey was completed by 264 respondents from 60 countries; 19.1% were from low- and middle-income countries, 59% were stroke specialist physicians, 28% allied health professionals or nurses, 9% Stroke Support Organizations, 4% general physicians. Fifteen Stroke Support Organizations from 11 countries responded to the emailed survey. Seven Stroke Support Organizations' members were interviewed by telephone; one was interviewed in-person. We highlight the two highest priority topics in each of the five questionnaire domains. The 10 priority topics were all applicable in a low- or middle-income setting: setting up and delivering stroke diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention services, and emphasized the most basic elements of care. The survey participants have identified a number of key topics that merit inclusion in stroke teaching materials and courses, especially those aimed at practitioners working in resource-limited settings.

Design and Implementation of Networked Collaborative Service System for Brain Stroke Prevention and First Aid

Brain stroke is one of the three most deadly diseases in humans, especially since the time window from onset to treatment is very short, and this time determines whether the patient can get effective treatment. In addition, although individuals store a large amount of historical medical information in various medical organizations, the information is isolated and does not play its value. In response to the above-mentioned problems, the business needs of the Brain stroke prevention and emergency services have analyzed, and a networked collaborative service system for brain stroke prevention and first aid has been designed and implemented. The services of the brain stroke prevention and first aid networked collaborative service system discover and select candidate services, design service interfaces, and promote the collaborative work of medical organizations. Because the system involves the patient's medical data, it has related to personal privacy. In the following work, this paper needs to further improve the security aspects of the system to ensure the safety and reliability of the patient health information data.

The Relationship Between Ambient Air Pollution and Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study in a City-State With Seasonal Exposure to the Southeast Asian Haze Problem

Studies are divided on the short-term association of air pollution with stroke. Singapore is exposed to seasonal transboundary haze. We aim to investigate the association between air pollution and stroke incidence in Singapore. We performed a time-stratified case-crossover analysis on all ischemic stroke cases reported to the Singapore Stroke Registry from 2010 to 2015. Exposure on days was compared with control days on which exposure did not occur. Control days were chosen on thesame day of the week earlier and later in the same month in the same year. We fitted a conditional Poisson regression model to daily stroke incidence that included Pollutant Standards Index and environmental confounders. The index was categorized according to established classification (0 to 50=good, 51 to 100=moderate, and ≥101=unhealthy). We assessed the relationship between stroke incidence and Pollutant Standards Index in the entire cohort and in predetermined subgroups of individual-level characteristics. There were 29,384 ischemic stroke cases. Moderate and unhealthy Pollutant Standards Index levels showed association with stroke occurrence, with incidence risk ratio 1.10 (95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.13) and 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.25), respectively. Subgroup analyses showed generally significant association, except in Indians and nonhypertensive patients. The association was significant in subgroups aged 65 years or older, women, Chinese, nonsmokers and those with history of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Stratified by age and smoking, the risk diminished in smokers of all ages. Risk remained elevated for 5 days after exposure. We found a short-term elevated risk of ischemic stroke after exposure to air pollution. These findings have public health implications for stroke prevention and emergency health services delivery.

Secondary stroke prevention services in Canada: a cross-sectional survey and geospatial analysis of resources, capacity and geographic access.

Rapid assessment and management of transient ischemic attacks and nondisabling strokes by specialized stroke prevention services reduces the risk of recurrent stroke and improves outcomes. In Canada, with its vast geography and with 16.8% of the population living in rural areas, access to these services is challenging, and considerable variation in access to care exists. The purpose of this multiphase study was to identify sites across Canada providing stroke prevention services, evaluate resource capacity and determine geographic access for Canadians. We developed a Stroke Prevention Services Resource Inventory that contained 22 questions on the organization and delivery of stroke prevention services and quality monitoring. The inventory ran from November 2015 to January 2016 and was administered online. We conducted a geospatial analysis to estimate access by drive times. Considerations were made for hours of operation and access within and across provincial borders. A total of 123 stroke prevention sites were identified, of which 119 (96.7%) completed the inventory. Most (95) are designated stroke prevention or rapid assessment clinics. Of the 119 sites, 68 operate full time, and 39 operate less than 2.5 days per week. A total of 87.3% of the Canadian population has access to a stroke prevention service within a 1-hour drive; however, only 69.2% has access to a service that operates 5-7 days a week. Allowing provincial border crossing improves access (< 6-h drive) for those who are beyond a 6-hour drive within their home province (3.4%). Most Canadians have reasonable geographic access to stroke prevention services. Allowing patients to cross borders improves the existing access for many, particularly some remote communities along the Ontario-Quebec and British Columbia-Alberta borders.

Canadian stroke best practice recommendations: Secondary prevention of stroke, sixth edition practice guidelines, update 2017.

The 2017 update of The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations for the Secondary Prevention of Stroke is a collection of current evidence-based recommendations intended for use by clinicians across a wide range of settings. The goal is to provide guidance for the prevention of ischemic stroke recurrence through the identification and management of modifiable vascular risk factors. Recommendations include those related to diagnostic testing, diet and lifestyle, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and other cardiac conditions. Notable changes in this sixth edition include the development of core elements for delivering secondary stroke prevention services, the addition of a section on cervical artery dissection, new recommendations regarding the management of patent foramen ovale, and the removal of the recommendations on management of sleep apnea. The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations include a range of supporting materials such as implementation resources to facilitate the adoption of evidence to practice, and related performance measures to enable monitoring of uptake and effectiveness of the recommendations. The guidelines further emphasize the need for a systems approach to stroke care, involving an interprofessional team, with access to specialists regardless of patient location, and the need to overcome geographic barriers to ensure equity in access within a universal health care system.

Long-term morbidity and mortality in patients without early complications after stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Secondary prevention after stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) has focused on high early risk of recurrence, but survivors of stroke can have substantial long-term morbidity and mortality. We quantified long-term morbidity and mortality for patients who had no early complications after stroke or TIA and community-based controls. This longitudinal case-control study included all ambulatory or hospitalized patients with stroke or TIA (discharged from regional stroke centres in Ontario from 2003 to 2013) who survived for 90 days without recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, all-cause admission to hospital, admission to an institution or death. Cases and controls were matched on age, sex and geographic location. The primary composite outcome was death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or admission to long-term or continuing care. We calculated 1-, 3- and 5-year rates of composite and individual outcomes and used cause-specific Cox regression to estimate long-term hazards for cases versus controls and for patients with stroke versus those with TIA. Among patients who were initially stable after stroke or TIA (n = 26 366), the hazard of the primary outcome was more than double at 1 year (hazard ratio [HR] 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-2.5), 3 years (HR 2.2, 95% CI 2.1-2.3) and 5 years (HR 2.1, 95% CI 2.1-2.2). Hazard was highest for recurrent stroke at 1 year (HR 6.8, 95% CI 6.1-7.5), continuing to 5 years (HR 5.1, 95% CI 4.8-5.5), and for admission to an institution (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.9-2.2). Survivors of stroke had higher mortality and morbidity, but 31.5% (1789/5677) of patients with TIA experienced an adverse event within 5 years. Patients who survive stroke or TIA without early complications are typically discharged from secondary stroke prevention services. However, these patients remain at substantial long-term risk, particularly for recurrent stroke and admission to an institution. Novel approaches to prevention, potentially embedded in community or primary care, are required for long-term management of these initially stable but high-risk patients.

Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Telestroke Best Practice Guidelines Update 2017

Every year, approximately 62,000 people with stroke and transient ischemic attack are treated in Canadian hospitals. The 2016 update of the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations Telestroke guideline is a comprehensive summary of current evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations appropriate for use by all healthcare providers and system planners who organize and provide care to patients following stroke across a broad range of settings. These recommendations focus on the use of telemedicine technologies to rapidly identify and treat appropriate patients with acute thrombolytic therapies in hospitals without stroke specialized expertise; select patients who require to immediate transfer to stroke centers for Endovascular Therapy; and for the patients who remain in community hospitals to facilitate their care on a stroke unit and provide remote access to stroke prevention and rehabilitation services. While these latter areas of Telestroke application are newer, they are rapidly developing, with new opportunities that are yet unrealized. Virtual rehabilitation therapies offer patients the opportunity to participate in rehabilitation therapies, supervised by physical and occupational therapists. While not without its limitations (e.g., access to telecommunications in remote areas, fragmentation of care), the evidence-to-date sets the foundation for improving access to care and management for patients during both the acute phase and now through post stroke recovery.

Abstract 117: A Province-wide Triaging System Improves Mortality After Transient Ischemic Attacks: The Alberta Stroke Prevention in TIAs and Mild Strokes (ASPIRE) Interventions

Introduction: Previous work suggests that early evaluation and treatment may reduce the stroke risk after TIA by up to 80%. These models of care are resource intensive involving same day access to stroke prevention services, often in urban areas. This is not feasible in many settings, especially where large distances and rural populations are concerned. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that implementation of a province-wide, systematic, multifaceted intervention would lower the recurrent stroke rate in Alberta. Methods: This was a prospective quasi-experimental health services research in the province of Alberta involving a population of 4 million living in an area larger than France (660,000 km2). The ASPIRE interventions, implemented over 15 months, involved education to the public and healthcare providers, creation of a triaging algorithm based on clinical symptoms and onset time, and a 24-7 available TIA Hotline for rapid access to stroke expertise. The primary outcome was the 90-day stroke rate tested with an interrupted time-series regression analysis. Stroke outcomes were adjudicated by two stroke neurologists independently with discrepancies resolved by panel. Secondary outcomes were the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, death, and the individual components from administrative data tested with age-sex adjusted logistic regression analysis. Results: We included 15709 TIA events in 13671 patients. Age-sex adjusted rate (and %) of stroke recurrence was 1.81 per 100,000 (1.85%) pre-implementation and 1.79 (1.65%) post. The primary outcome was neutral (autoregression coefficient 0.13, p-value 0.70). The 90-day mortality was significantly lower post-implementation (OR 0.75, 95%CI 0.60-0.94). There was a trend in decreased composite endpoint of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death (OR 0.88, 95%CI 0.77-1.01). Conclusions: In a population with low stroke recurrence rates, the successful province-wide implementation of the ASPIRE interventions was associated with decreased mortality, but did not significantly change stroke recurrence. Further studies on improving the identification of high-risk patients is necessary.

ABCD2 score and secondary stroke prevention: meta-analysis and effect per 1,000 patients triaged.

Patients with TIA have high risk of recurrent stroke and require rapid assessment and treatment. The ABCD2 clinical risk prediction score is recommended for patient triage by stroke risk, but its ability to stratify by known risk factors and effect on clinic workload are unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies published between January 2005 and September 2014 that reported proportions of true TIA/minor stroke or mimics, risk factors, and recurrent stroke rates, dichotomized to ABCD2 score </≥4. We calculated the effect per 1,000 patients triaged on stroke prevention services. Twenty-nine studies, 13,766 TIA patients (range 69-1,679), were relevant: 48% calculated the ABCD2 score retrospectively; few reported on the ABCD2 score's ability to identify TIA mimics or use by nonspecialists. Meta-analysis showed that ABCD2 ≥4 was sensitive (86.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 81.4%-90.7%) but not specific (35.4%, 95% CI 33.3%-37.6%) for recurrent stroke within 7 days. Additionally, 20% of patients with ABCD2 <4 had >50% carotid stenosis or atrial fibrillation (AF); 35%-41% of TIA mimics, and 66% of true TIAs, had ABCD2 score ≥4. Among 1,000 patients attending stroke prevention services, including the 45% with mimics, 52% of patients would have an ABCD2 score ≥4. The ABCD2 score does not reliably discriminate those at low and high risk of early recurrent stroke, identify patients with carotid stenosis or AF needing urgent intervention, or streamline clinic workload. Stroke prevention services need adequate capacity for prompt specialist clinical assessment of all suspected TIA patients for correct patient management.

Modelling, evaluating and implementing cost-effective services to reduce the impact of stroke

BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of death and disability but there is little information on the longer-term needs of patients and those of different ethnic groups.ObjectivesTo estimate risk of stroke, longer-term needs and outcomes, risk of recurrence, trends and predictors of effective care, to model cost-effective configurations of care, to understand stakeholders’ perspectives of services and to develop proposals to underpin policy.DesignPopulation-based stroke register, univariate and multivariate analyses, Markov and discrete event simulation, and qualitative methods for stakeholder perspectives of care and outcome.SettingSouth London, UK, with modelling for estimates of cost-effectiveness.ParticipantsInner-city population of 271,817 with first stroke in lifetime between 1995 and 2012.Outcome measuresStroke incidence rates and trends, recurrence, survival, activities of daily living, anxiety, depression, quality of life, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of care, and qualitative narratives of perspectives.Data sourcesSouth London Stroke Register (SLSR), qualitative data, group discussions.ResultsStroke incidence has decreased since 1995, particularly in the white population, but with a higher stroke risk in black groups. There are variations in risk factors and types of stroke between ethnic groups and a large number of strokes occurred in people with untreated risk factors with no improvement in detection observed over time. A total of 30% of survivors have a poor range of outcomes up to 10 years after stroke with differences in outcomes by sociodemographic group. Depression affects over half of all stroke patients and the prevalence of cognitive impairment remains 22%. Survival has improved significantly, particularly in the older black groups, and the cumulative risk of recurrence at 10 years is 24.5%. The proportion of patients receiving effective acute stroke care has significantly improved, yet inequalities of provision remain. Using register data, the National Audit Office (NAO) compared the levels of stroke care in the UK in 2010 with previous provision levels and demonstrated that improvements have been cost-effective. The treatment of, and productivity loss arising from, stroke results in total societal costs of £8.9B a year and 5% of UK NHS costs. Stroke unit care followed by early supported discharge is a cost-effective strategy, with the main gain being years of life saved. Half of stroke survivors report unmet long-term needs. Needs change over time, but may not be stroke specific. Analysis of patient journeys suggests that provision of care is also influenced by structural, social and personal characteristics.Conclusions/recommendationsThe SLSR has been a platform for a range of health services research activities of international relevance. The programme has produced data to inform policy and practice with estimates of need for stroke prevention and care services, identification of persistent sociodemographic inequalities in risk and care despite a reduction in stroke risk, quantification of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of care and development of models to simulate configurations of care. Stroke is a long-term condition with significant social impact and the data on need and economic modelling have been utilised by the Department of Health, the NAO and Healthcare for London to assess need and model cost-effective options for stroke care. Novel approaches are now required to ensure that such information is used effectively to improve population and patient outcomes.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and the Department of Health via the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre award to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King’s College London.

Clinical and imaging services for TIA and minor stroke: results of two surveys of practice across the UK

ObjectivesTransient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a medical emergency requiring rapid access to effective, organised, stroke prevention. There are about 90 000 TIAs per year in the UK. We assessed whether...

The preventing recurrent vascular events and neurological worsening through intensive organized case-management (PREVENTION) trial protocol [clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00931788

BackgroundSurvivors of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke are at high risk for recurrent vascular events and aggressive treatment of vascular risk factors can reduce this risk. However, vascular risk factors, especially hypertension and high cholesterol, are not managed optimally even in those patients seen in specialized clinics. This gap between the evidence for secondary prevention of stroke and the clinical reality leads to suboptimal patient outcomes. In this study, we will be testing a pharmacist case manager for delivery of stroke prevention services. We hypothesize this new structure will improve processes of care which in turn should lead to improved outcomes.MethodsWe will conduct a prospective, randomized, controlled open-label with blinded ascertainment of outcomes (PROBE) trial. Treatment allocation will be concealed from the study personnel, and all outcomes will be collected in an independent and blinded manner by observers who have not been involved in the patient's clinical care or trial participation and who are masked to baseline measurements. Patients will be randomized to control or a pharmacist case manager treating vascular risk factors to guideline-recommended target levels. Eligible patients will include all adult patients seen at stroke prevention clinics in Edmonton, Alberta after an ischemic stroke or TIA who have uncontrolled hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) > 140 mm Hg) or dyslipidemia (fasting LDL-cholesterol > 2.00 mmol/L) and who are not cognitively impaired or institutionalized. The primary outcome will be the proportion of subjects who attain 'optimal BP and lipid control'(defined as systolic BP < 140 mm Hg and fasting LDL cholesterol < 2.0 mmol/L) at six months compared to baseline; 12-month data will also be collected for analyses of sustainability of any effects. A variety of secondary outcomes related to vascular risk and health-related quality of life will also be collected.ConclusionsNearly one-quarter of those who survive a TIA or minor stroke suffer another vascular event within a year. If our intervention improves the provision of secondary prevention therapies in these patients, the clinical (and financial) implications will be enormous.

Statewide Hospital-Based Stroke Services in North Carolina

Statewide assessments of stroke prevention and treatment services were performed in North Carolina in 1998 and 2003. The 2003 survey found certain technologies, but not stroke-related programs, were more widely available. The survey was repeated in 2008 to determine whether there was an interval change in accessibility. A 2-page questionnaire was sent to each North Carolina hospital. Results were compared with the 1998 and 2003 surveys. Complete responses were obtained from each of the state's emergent stroke care hospitals. The proportions providing CT angiography and diffusion-weighted MRI increased between each period (each P<0.05); the use of care maps and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator protocols increased between 2003 and 2008 but not between 1998 and 2003. There were no changes in availability of MRI, MR angiography, catheter angiography, carotid ultrasound, transcranial Doppler, transthoracic echocardiography, or in the proportions of hospitals having a stroke unit, having a neurologist or neurointerventionalist readily available, or providing stroke-related public education (each P>0.05). The proportions of hospitals having a group of "basic" stroke capabilities did not change (18%, 21%, and 20%, respectively, P>0.05). In 2008, 41% of North Carolina's population resided in a county with at least 1 Primary Stroke Center and an additional 40% in a county using telemedicine or having a transfer plan for patients with acute stroke. The availability of certain diagnostic tests, but not specialty staff or stroke units, increased in North Carolina hospitals between 1998 and 2008. Although there was no change in stroke-related hospital-based organizational features between 1998 and 2003, there were improvements between 2003 and 2008, possibly reflecting programs aimed at developing stroke care systems.

Stroke prevention: narrowing the evidence-practice gap.

Many interventions reduce stroke risk. However, the full benefits of these interventions are not realized at current levels of utilization, as nearly all evidence-based or guideline-endorsed stroke prevention services are underused. The cause for such underuse is multifactorial and includes factors relating to both patients and providers, as well as to a health care system that has de-emphasized prevention at the expense of acute, technologically based care. Much like the evidence for stroke interventions themselves, there is a growing literature to support methods of implementing research evidence into clinical practice. There is still much to learn, however, about the effectiveness of interventions aimed at achieving changes in stroke prevention practice or the delivery of stroke prevention care. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities for providers, managed care organizations, and government to close the evidence-practice gap that exists for stroke prevention services. These opportunities exist in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, and depend on the neurologist taking a leading role in emphasizing the critical importance of risk factor identification and modification in all patients at risk for stroke.

North Carolina stroke prevention and treatment facilities survey. Statewide availability of programs and services.

The aim of this study was to determine the statewide availability of facilities and programs for stroke prevention and treatment to identify underserved regions and target educational efforts. A single-page survey was mailed to the directors of each inpatient medical facility in North Carolina. Data collected included the availability of selected diagnostic tests, programs, and services. Facilities were categorized as providing basic (emergency department, brain CT, treatment with rtPA, transthoracic echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography, cerebral angiography, carotid endarterectomy) or advanced (basic services plus brain MRI, MR angiography, transesophageal echocardiography, transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, interventional radiology) services. The availability of other programs and services, including having a neurologist on staff, organized anticoagulation clinics, inpatient rehabilitative services, diffusion-weighted MRI, community awareness and rapid stroke identification programs, stroke teams, stroke acute care units or an equivalent, and the use of stroke-care maps, were also determined. Complete responses were obtained from all of the state's 125 inpatient medical facilities. Overall, 97% of the state's population resided in counties with a hospital providing at least some stroke prevention or treatment procedures or services. Full basic services were provided by 23 facilities located in 19 of the state's 100 counties and were available to 52% of the state's population based on county of residence; advanced services were provided by 8 facilities located in 7 counties and were available to 26% of the state's population based on county of residence. Stroke-care maps were used in 83% of basic or advanced centers versus 23% of other hospitals (P<0.001), stroke teams were organized in 48% versus 12% (P=0.001), stroke units or equivalents were available in 61% versus 9% (P<0.001), rapid patient identification programs were in place in 57% versus 9% (P<0.001), and community awareness programs were in place in 57% versus 21% (P=0.005). Only 52% of the state's population reside in counties with hospitals providing full basic services; by expanding these services to only 6 additional facilities and thereby encompassing the state's 50 most populous counties, this proportion would be increased to 84%. Services that may improve outcomes and reduce costs (eg, stroke teams, stroke units, care maps) are not widely used, even in centers with full basic capabilities. Targeting educational efforts to these centers could improve the overall level of stroke care for the majority of the state's population. The study serves as a model that can be applied to other states and regions.