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Background and Purpose: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for around 10% of stroke, but carries 50% of stroke mortality. ICH characteristics and prognostic factors specific to the Stroke Belt are not well defined by race. Methods: Records of patients admitted to the University of Alabama Hospital with ICH from 2017 to 2019 were reviewed. We examined the association of demographics; clinical and radiographic features including stroke severity, hematoma volume, and ICH score; and transfer status with in-hospital mortality and discharge functional status for a biracial population including Black and White patients. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and functional outcome were examined using logistic regression. Results: Among the 275 ICH cases included in this biracial analysis, Black patients (n = 114) compared to White patients (n = 161) were younger (60.6 vs. 71.4 years, P < 0.0001), more often urban (81% vs. 64%, P < 0.01), more likely to have a history of hypertension (87% vs. 71%, P < 0.01), less often transferred (44% vs. 74%, P < 0.01), and had smaller median initial hematoma volumes (9.1 vs. 12.6 mL, P = 0.041). On multivariable analysis, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for White patients (OR 13.0, P < 0.0001), hyperlipidemia for Black patients (OR 13.9, P = 0.019), and ICH volume for either race (Black patients: OR 1.05, P = 0.03 and White patients: OR 1.04, P < 0.01) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: Hypertension is more prevalent among Black ICH patients in the Stroke Belt. The addition of hyperlipidemia to the ICH score model improved the prediction of mortality for Black ICH patients. No differences in in-hospital mortality or poor functional outcome were observed by race.

Domain-specific endpoints are assessments that correspond to the output of individual neural systems and are useful for capturing treatment effects on specific behaviors. By contrast, global endpoints combine several attributes into a single score and are useful for capturing broad treatment effects in a summary way. While global endpoints have become the de facto mechanism required to define benefit in stroke trials, they also have important limitations, some of which might be addressed by simultaneously measuring domain-specific endpoints. Substantial opportunity remains to identify quantifiable patient benefit that would otherwise not be captured by global endpoints. Potential advantages of incorporating domain-specific endpoints in acute stroke trials are discussed, such as increased granularity of measurement, improved understanding of how therapies affect the brain between acute treatment and day 90, and optimized therapeutic translation. Potential disadvantages are also considered, including time and cost of administering domain-specific endpoints, as well as statistical implications. Domain-specific endpoints and global endpoints are not mutually exclusive, and both capture clinical benefits to patients. Incorporating a broader set of outcome assessments in stroke trials, including both global and domain-specific endpoints, is warranted.

Background and PurposeAcute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusions (LVO) is a major contributor to stroke deaths and disabilities; however, identification for emergency treatment is challenging.AimsTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a panel of biomarkers for LVO prediction.Methods170 patients with suspected stroke were recruited retrospectively at one hospital. We analysed the plasma levels of D-dimer, OPN, OPG, GFAP, vWF, and ADAMTS13 in LVO vs non-LVO. Diagnostic performance was estimated by using blood biomarkers alone or in combination with NIHSS-derived stroke severity scales.ResultsOur patient cohort comprised 20% stroke mimics, 11% transient ischemic attack, 11% hemorrhagic stroke, 15% LVO ischemic stroke, 28% non-LVO ischemic stroke, and 15% ischemic stroke with unknown LVO status. Multivariable analysis found that the optimal set of blood biomarkers for LVO prediction was D-dimer (OR 15.4, 95% CI 4.9 to 57.6; p-valueConclusionsThe combination of D-dimer, GFAP, and stroke scales could provide a simple and highly accurate tool for identifying LVO patients.

Introduction: The Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment (EMSA) is a six point stroke severity scale with one point each for gaze preference, facial droop, arm drift, leg drift, abnormal naming, and abnormal repetition that was developed to help emergency medical services (EMS) providers identify acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). We hypothesized that the EMSA would detect left hemisphere LVO with a higher sensitivity than right hemisphere LVO. Methods: We trained 24 trauma system-based emergency communication center (ECC) paramedics in the EMSA. ECC-guided EMS in performance of the EMSA on patients with suspected stroke. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (CI) of ECC-guided prehospital EMSA for right versus left hemisphere ICA or M1 occlusion. Results: We enrolled 569 patients from September 2016 through February 2018, out of which 236 had a discharge diagnosis of stroke and 173 had a diagnosis of AIS. We excluded patients with bilateral (n=21) and brainstem (n=21) AIS. There were 64 patients with left hemisphere AIS including 19 with LVO. There were 67 patients with right hemisphere AIS including 22 with LVO. A score of ≥ 4 points yielded a sensitivity of 84.2 (95% CI = 60.4-96.6) and specificity of 66.7 (51.1-80.0) for left hemisphere LVO compared to a sensitivity of 68.2 (45.1-86.1) and specificity of 73.9 (58.9-85.7) for right hemisphere LVO. For predicting a left hemisphere LVO, the AUC was 0.77 (0.65-0.90) compared to 0.66 (0.50-0.82) for right-sided LVO. Assigning 2 points for abnormal gaze yielded an AUC of 0.78 (0.66-0.91) versus 0.67 (0.52-0.83) for left and right hemisphere LVO, respectively. Conclusions: The EMSA, like the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon which it is based, is more sensitive to left compared to right hemisphere LVO. More heavily weighting abnormal gaze did not improve the sensitivity of the EMSA for right hemisphere LVO. There is no comparable data on the right versus left hemisphere performance of other prehospital scales. There is a need to develop sensitive tests of right hemisphere dysfunction that are suitable for use in the field.

Background: The NorthEast Cerebrovascular Consortium (NECC) was established in 2006 to improve stroke-systems-of-care models. Methods: This study evaluates the increase in stroke quality over time in NECC and Non-NECC regions, defined as the change in proportion of hospitals over time who received State or National Primary/Comprehensive Stroke Center (PSC/CSC) certification, participated in a national quality program (Get-With-The-Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-S)), or received GWTG-S Performance Achievement Awards (PAA) from 2005-2013. Analysis of trends was performed (Cochran-Armitage/Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests; Generalized-Estimating Equations). As an exploratory analysis eight NECC region Departments of Health (DOH) were surveyed regarding perceptions of the NECC. Results: During the study period, there were 433.1 ± 10.2 vs 3986.4 ± 187.7 hospitals per year in the NECC vs non-NECC regions. Rate of growth per year increased in both groups for each measure but to a greater degree in the NECC vs Non-NECC regions: PSC/CSC (5.4%/yr vs 3.2%/yr), GWTG-S participation (5.0%/yr vs 2.9%/yr), and PAAs (5.2%/yr vs 2.1%/yr), with state-based certification growth also being higher in the NECC region (4.2%/yr vs 0.4%/yr; all comparisons p < 0.0001). After adjusting for year, significantly more NECC hospitals had PSC/CSC certification, GWTG-S participation, and GWTG-S PAAs than non-NECC sites (all analyses p < 0.0001). One hundred percent of NECC region DOHs were aware of the NECC and involved in functions, 87.5% indicated the NECC provided beneficial assistance. Conclusions: There has been a higher rate of growth of state certification contrasted to national PSC/CSC certification, and a higher rate of growth of participation and achievement in GWTG-S in the northeast region compared to other US regions.

Acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusions (LVOs) is a major contributor to stroke deaths and disabilities, however, identification for emergency treatment is challenging. We recruited two separate cohorts of suspected stroke patients and screened a panel of blood-derived protein biomarkers for LVO detection. Diagnostic performance was estimated by using blood biomarkers in combination with NIHSS-derived stroke severity scales. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that D-dimer (OR 16, 95% CI 5–60, p-value &lt, 0.001) and GFAP (OR 0.002, 95% CI 0–0.68, 0.05) comprised the optimal panel for LVO detection. Combinations of D-dimer and GFAP with a number of stroke severity scales increased the number of true positives, while reducing false positives due to hemorrhage, as compared to stroke scales alone (p-value &lt, 0.001). A combination of the biomarkers with FAST-ED resulted in the highest accuracy at 95% (95% CI: 87–99%), with sensitivity of 91% (95% CI: 72–99%), and specificity of 96% (95% CI: 90–99%). Diagnostic accuracy was confirmed in an independent cohort, in which accuracy was again shown to be 95% (95% CI: 87–99%), with a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI: 57–96%), and specificity of 98% (95% CI: 92–100%). Accordingly, the combination of D-dimer and GFAP with stroke scales may provide a simple and highly accurate tool for identifying LVO patients, with a potential impact on time to treatment.

Background Delirium after acute stroke is a serious complication. Numerous studies support a benefit of multicomponent interventions in minimizing delirium-related complications in at-risk patients, but this has not been reported in acute stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of conducting a randomized (delirium care) versus usual standardized stroke care (usual care) in reducing delirium in acute stroke. Objective This pilot study assessed the feasibility of (1) enrollment within the 48-hour window when delirium risk is greatest, (2) measuring cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, (3) delivering interventions 7 days per week, and (4) determining delirium incidence in stroke-related cognitive dysfunction. Methods A 2-group randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients admitted with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and 50 years or older, English speaking, and without delirium on admit were recruited, consented, and randomized to usual care or delirium care groups. Results Data from 125 subjects (delirium care, n = 59; usual care, n = 66) were analyzed. All Montreal Cognitive Assessment subscales were completed by 86% of subjects (delirium care, mean [SD], 18.14 [6.03]; usual care, mean [SD], 17.61 [6.29]). Subjects in the delirium care group received a mean of 6.10 therapeutic activities (range, 2-23) and daily medication review by a clinical pharmacist using anticholinergic drug calculations. Delirium incidence was 8% (10/125), 3 in the delirium care group and 7 in the usual care group. Conclusion Findings support the feasibility of delivering a multicomponent delirium prevention intervention in acute stroke and warrants testing intervention effects on delirium outcomes and anticholinergic medication administration.

Objective: Improve prehospital identification of acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) by using a trauma system-based emergency communication center (ECC) to guide the emergency medical service (EMS). Methods: We trained 24 ECC paramedics in the Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment (EMSA). ECC-guided EMS in performance of the EMSA on patients with suspected stroke. During the second half of the study, we provided focused feedback to ECC after reviewing recorded ECC-EMS interactions. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval of ECC-guided EMSA to the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) for predicting a discharge diagnosis of LVO. Results: We enrolled 569 patients from September 2016 through February 2018. Of 463 patients analyzed, 236 (51%) had a discharge diagnosis of stroke and 227 (49%) had a nonstroke diagnosis. There were 45 (19%) stroke patients with LVO. For predicting LVO, there was no significant difference between the EMSA AUC = .68 (.59-.77) and the NIHSS AUC = .73 (.65-.81). An EMSA score greater than or equal to 4 had sensitivity = 75.6 (60.5-87.1) and specificity = 62.4 (57.6-67.1) for LVO. During the first 9 months of the study, the EMSA AUC = .61 (.44-.77) compared to an AUC = .74 (.64-.84) during the second 9 months. Conclusions: ECC-guided prehospital EMSA is feasible, has similar ability to predict LVO compared to the NIHSS, and has sustained performance over time.

Introduction: We are prospectively validating a model of communication center guided prehospital identification of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Goal: Assess the inter-rater agreement between a Vascular Neurologist and Alabama Trauma Communication Center (ATCC) personnel in diagnostic classification of stroke patients. Methods: The ATCC is staffed by paramedic-trained dispatchers who field calls from Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responders and maintain up-to-the-minute status of hospitals and resources 24/7. We trained ATCC personnel in stroke pathology, pathophysiology, appropriate patient selection for thrombolytic and endovascular therapies; and the previously derived 6 point Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment (EMSA). ATCC personnel guided EMS responders in the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System (BREMSS), and paged-out a hospital stroke prenotification that included specific EMSA scale items (gaze, facial droop, arm drift, leg drift, naming, and repetition). All interactions between the ATCC and EMS responders were recorded, allowing review of audio files and ongoing quality improvement. ATCC personnel and a vascular neurologist separately reviewed recordings and assigned scores to each patient according to the deficit stated by the EMS. To determine inter-rater reliability we utilized the Kappa statistic with a significance level of 0.05, and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: We sampled a total of 146 patients. We observed statistically significant agreement between the raters for all EMSA components, with 71% (CI=45-97%, p Conclusion: We conclude that there is moderate to substantial agreement in most stroke assessment items by a paramedic staffed communication center and a vascular neurologist. There was only fair inter-rater agreement for repetition. Paramedic-trained dispatchers can reliably guide EMS responders and score the Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment.

Background: The stroke belt has a higher stroke mortality rate compared to other regions of the United States with Alabama recording about 3,000 deaths yearly. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is the only comprehensive stroke center (CSC) in Alabama equipped to manage the most complex stroke patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics and prognosis of patients transferred to a comprehensive stroke center in the stroke belt. Methods: Data was abstracted from the electronic health records of patients admitted to the stroke service between 2016 and 2018. We assessed differences between transfer and non-transfer patients in terms of demographics, stroke severity, insurance, administration of alteplase (t-PA) and thrombectomy (IA). We also evaluated the relationship between the Alabama state stroke designation of the originating hospital including non-stroke centers (level 0), acute stroke ready hospitals, ASRH (level 3), primary stroke centers, PSC (level 2) and direct admissions to UAB (level 1) and characteristics and prognosis of patients. Results: 1107 patients were assessed for the study with 402(36%) being transfers. Race, NIHSS,TPA and IA use, discharge disposition were associated with the level of stroke center, as shown in the table. Level 2 centers transferred patients with more severe strokes, and a higher proportion of TPA and IA use. Non-transfer patients had the best outcome with Home as their primary discharge location compared to patients transferred from level 2 stroke centers. Conclusion: About 36% of our stroke discharge volume is a result of patients transferred to UAB from outside hospitals. We conclude that Level 2 stroke centers are appropriately transferring patients with more severe stroke to CSCs compared to transfers from non-stroke centers and acute stroke ready hospitals. Some of the patients transferred to a CSC from non-stroke centers and ASRHs could be managed at PSCs.

Introduction: There is need for sustainable models of effective prehospital stroke triage. Goal: Prospectively validate communication center guided prehospital identification of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Methods: We trained Alabama Trauma Communication Center (ATCC) paramedics in the previously derived 6 point Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment (EMSA). ATCC staff guided Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responders in the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System (BREMSS), and paged-out a hospital prenotification that included specific EMSA items (gaze, facial droop, arm drift, leg drift, naming, and repetition). Ongoing quality improvement was designed to enable the ATCC staff to effectively guide EMS responders. We derived the sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio (LR-), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and receiver operator characteristics area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of ATCC guided EMSA for predicting a discharge diagnosis of LVO for patients transported to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Results: We enrolled 521 patients from September 2016 through February 2018. Patients who only responded to pain (n=29, 5.6%) or who were unresponsive (n=21, 4%) were excluded. Of 471 patients analyzed, 247(52%) had a discharge diagnosis of stroke, including 182 (74%) acute ischemic stroke, 36 (14%) intracerebral hemorrhage, and 29 (11%) transient ischemic attack. There were 45 (18%) stroke patients with proximal LVO, including 31 middle cerebral artery stem, 12 internal carotid artery, and 2 basilar artery. Overall, an EMSA score ≥ 4 had sensitivity = 75.6%, specificity = 62.2%, LR- = 0.39, and LR+ = 2.00 for proximal LVO. During the first 9 months of the study, the EMSA AUC = 0.61 (CI = 0.45 – 0.77) compared to an AUC = 0.74 (CI = 0.64 – 0.84) during the second 9 month period of the study. Conclusions: EMS stroke medical control based on communication center guided prehospital stroke assessment and ongoing quality improvement is feasible and results in sustained ability to identify patients with LVO. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of guided prehospital triage of patients with suspected LVO on health outcomes.

United States (US) and worldwide telestroke programs frequently focus only on emergency room hyper-acute stroke management. This article describes a comprehensive, telemedicine-enabled, stroke care delivery system that combines “drip and ship” and “drip and keep” models with a comprehensive stroke center primary hub at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, advanced stroke-capable regional hubs, and geographically-aligned, “stroke-ready” spokes. The primary hub provides vascular neurology expertise via telemedicine and monitors care for patients remaining at regional hubs and spokes using a multidisciplinary team approach. By 2014, primary hub telestroke consults grew to ≈1000/year with 16 min average door to consult initiation and 20 min to completion, and 29% of ischemic stroke patients received recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA), increasing 275%. Most patients remained in hospitals close to home, but neurointensive care and interventional procedures were common reasons for primary hub transfer. Given the time sensitivity and expert consultation needed for complex acute stroke care delivery paradigms, telestroke programs are effective for fulfilling unmet care needs. Combining drip and ship and drip and keep management allows more patients to stay “local,” limiting primary hub transfer unless more advanced services are required. Post admission telestroke management at spokes increases personnel efficiency and can positively impact stroke outcomes.

Introduction: Given the rapid expansion of telestroke systems, an increasing number of patients with acute stroke-like presentations are receiving tele-evaluation for guidance of diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. There is limited data, however, regarding the accuracy of telestroke diagnosis. We examined the accuracy of telestroke diagnosis and evaluated predictors of misdiagnosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all telestroke consultations at our center between April 2015 and April 2016. Consultations were classified into one of 3 diagnostic categories: stroke/TIA, mimic, and uncertain. Telestroke diagnosis was compared with final diagnosis determined after review of additional emergency department testing or hospital admission. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosis of stroke/TIA vs mimic were calculated. Area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis to predict true stroke was performed. Bivariate analysis based on the diagnostic categories examined association with sex, age, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), stroke risk factors (CAD, DM, HLD, HTN, history of stroke/TIA, smoking), TPA given, bleeding after TPA, symptom onset to last known normal, symptom onset to consult, time of day of consult by 6 hour epoch, and consult duration. Logistic regression (LR) was performed as indicated by bivariate analysis. Results: 874 telestroke evaluations were included in our analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were 97.8%, 82.5%, 93.7% and 93.4%, respectively. AUC (95% CI) was 0.9061 (0.8749-0.9283). LR revealed OR (95% CI) of misdiagnosis for female gender of 1.9 (1.3-2.9). Conclusions: Our telestroke system is highly accurate in discriminating between stroke/TIA and stroke mimics with a tendency towards overdiagnosis of stroke. Female gender was associated with misdiagnosis.

Introduction: The widely used Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) has a sensitivity for stroke identification of only about 50%. A previous study suggested that stroke was missed more frequently by EMS using the CPSS in patients without motor signs. The purpose of this study was to compare the elements of the CPSS to the corresponding items of the gold standard National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Hypothesis: Speech and language components of the NIHSS are more sensitive than the corresponding speech component of the CPSS. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients transported to University of Alabama at Birmingham by EMS with suspected stroke from January to May of 2016. We excluded patients who did not have the CPSS performed by EMS in the field or admission NIHSS performed by neurology residents and those without a discharge diagnosis of stroke. We compared the sensitivity of abnormal facial droop, arm drift, and speech of the CPSS to the corresponding NIHSS items (facial palsy ≥ 1, left or right motor arm ≥ 1, best language or dysarthria ≥ 1) for a discharge diagnosis of stroke by vascular neurologists. Results: There were 232 subjects (White, 52%; Black, 44%; men, 51%: age=66, sd=16) There was no difference in the sensitivity of arm drift for discharge diagnosis of stroke between the CPSS (77.6%, 95% CI 70-85) and NIHSS (79.2%, 71-87), p=0.13. Compared to the NIHSS, the CPSS had significantly lower sensitivities on tests of facial weakness (51.2%, 42-60 vs. 65.3%, 55-75, p=0.006) and speech and language abnormalities (63.2%, 54-72 vs.71.6%, 61-80, p Conclusions: CPSS items testing facial weakness and speech/language are significantly less sensitive compared to corresponding NIHSS items. This may relate to more rigorous testing of these items on the NIHSS, but may also relate to different examiners or settings. Prehospital scales derived from NIHSS items may not accurately reflect performance in the prehospital setting.

To examine factors related to sensitivity of emergency medical services (EMS) stroke impression.We reviewed ambulance and hospital records of all patients transported to Long Island College Hospital between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2011 by the hospital-based EMS with a discharge diagnosis of stroke or a confounding diagnosis, and compared EMS impression to hospital discharge diagnosis. We examined relationships between EMS diagnostic sensitivity and age, gender, ethnicity, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), motor signs, aphasia, neglect, lesion side, circulation, stroke type, EMS provider level, and documented Cincinnati Pre-hospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) with contingency analysis and logistic regression.Stroke was validated in 18% (56/310) of patients and 50% (28/56) of these were missed by EMS. EMS diagnostic sensitivity was 50% (95% CI: 36-64%), and was related to NIHSS quartile (p = 0.014), with higher sensitivities in 2nd (69%; 95% CI: 44-86%) and 3rd (75%; 95% CI: 47-91%) vs. 1st (20%; 95% CI: 7-45%) and 4th (45%; 95% CI: 21-72%) quartiles, motor signs (62 vs. 14%, p = 0.002), and documented CPSS (84 vs. 32%, p = 0.0002). EMS impression was independently related to NIHSS quartile (1st vs. 2nd adjusted OR = 9.61, 1.13-122.03, p = 0.038) and CPSS (adjusted OR = 12.58, 2.22-111.06, p = 0.003).Stroke was missed more frequently when CPSS was not documented, in patients without motor signs, and in patients with moderate-severe stroke. The sensitivity of prehospital screening for patients with moderate-severe stroke might be improved by including additional non-motor signs and by stressing indications for when screens should be performed.

Background This study aims to develop a simple scale to identify patients with prehospital stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO), without losing sensitivity for other stroke types. Methods The Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment (EMSA) was derived from the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) items and validated for prediction of LVO in a separate cohort. We compared the EMSA with the 3-item stroke scale (3I-SS), Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity Scale (C-STAT), Rapid Arterial oCclusion Evaluation (RACE) scale, and Field Assessment Stroke Triage for Emergency Destination (FAST-ED) for prediction of LVO and stroke. We surveyed paramedics to assess ease of use and interpretation of scales. Results The combination of gaze preference, facial asymmetry, asymmetrical arm and leg drift, and abnormal speech or language yielded the EMSA. An EMSA less than 3, 75% sensitivity, and 50% specificity significantly reduced the likelihood of LVO (LR− = .489, 95% confidence interval .366-0.637) versus 3I-SS less than 4 (.866, .798-0.926). A normal EMSA, 93% sensitivity, and 47% specificity significantly reduced the likelihood of stroke (LR− = .142, .068-0.299) versus 3I-SS (.476, .330-0.688) and C-STAT (.858, .717-1.028). EMSA was rated easy to perform by 72% (13 of 18) of paramedics versus 67% (12 of 18) for FAST-ED and 6% (1 of 18) for RACE (χ2 = 27.25, P Conclusions The EMSA has superior abilities to identify LVO versus 3I-SS and stroke versus 3I-SS and C-STAT. The EMSA has similar ability to triage patients with stroke compared with the FAST-ED and RACE, but is simpler to perform and interpret.

Background and Purpose— The Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium was established to examine regional disparities and recommend strategies to improve stroke care based on the Stroke Systems of Care Model. Methods— An annual summit was first held in 2006, bringing together public health officials, researchers, physicians, nurses, health professionals, state legislators, and advocacy organizations. Best practices and evidence-based interventions within each of the Stroke Systems of Care Model components were presented. Six writing groups were tasked with cataloging each state’s current activities and identifying goals for the region. Results— There were significant variations in the delivery of stroke care, particularly in urban versus rural areas, as evidenced by the availability of designated stroke centers and neurologists, and stroke-related death rates. Recommendations to address variations in care delivery included the use of a common stroke data collection system, unified community education criteria, improvements to emergency medical services dispatch and training, adoption of prehospital care measures, creation of a web-based central repository of acute stroke protocols and order sets, a regional atlas of stroke resources and capabilities, a stroke patient “report card” to promote adherence to secondary prevention strategies, and explicit standards for rehabilitation services. Conclusions— Significant disparities in the delivery of stroke care across the 8 state-region have been identified. Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium demonstrates that multistate regional collaboration is a viable process for developing specific regional recommendations to address those disparities. Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium is assessing the usefulness of the Stroke Systems of Care Model as a framework for implementing a regional approach to stroke across the continuum of care.

Delirium in acute stroke has higher morbidity and mortality than those without delirium. This two-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) tests if a multicomponent intervention improves delirium outcomes in stroke patients at a comprehensive stroke center. This presentation describes the challenges in managing a RCT in acute stroke. Scientific rigor requires coordinating staff, enrolling adequate sample size, assuring intervention fidelity, and fostering data integrity. A sample of 282 subjects is required for 80% power (α=0.05) to determine a 10% reduction in incident delirium. Eligibility includes acute stroke, aged ≥ 50 years, no aphasia or delirium on admit. Subjects randomized to Usual Care (UC) or Delirium Care (DC). Both groups receive standardized Stroke Care. DC subjects receive a multicomponent intervention: 1) pharmacist recommendations using Anticholinergic Drug scale scores; and 2) therapeutic activities. NIHSS, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), and mRS are used to determine primary (delirium) and secondary endpoints (LOS, neurological deficit, functional status). A total of 513 patients screened over 289 consecutive days required unbudgeted staff. The 310 excluded [aphasia (94), baseline delirium (36), critically ill (92), LOS

The stroke system of care is undergoing significant evolution. There are promising data to suggest that with new technologies and approaches, primary prevention and community education will become easier and more accessible, and will allow people to have greater participation in their own healthcare. The evidence-based primary and comprehensive stroke center concepts have been translated into robust, rapidly growing certification programs. The continued dissemination of improved EMS routing protocols allows for better allocation of patients to stroke centers, even as we confront the challenge of further improving prehospital recognition of stroke. National quality improvement initiatives help to ensure that patients directed to stroke centers receive evidence-based treatment, which has resulted in improved stroke care and better clinical outcomes. In remote areas, the use of technologies such as telemedicine to extend the reach of vascular neurologists has resulted in increased administration of time-sensitive thrombolytic therapy and better patient outcomes, although greater efficiency within the stroke system will likely be needed to realize the potential benefits of endovascular therapy. System-level paradigms for aggressive medical management promise to lessen the burden of recurrent stroke. Finally, further integration of rehabilitation programs into stroke centers and coordination with community-based rehabilitation services is needed to ensure the best possible outcome for stroke patients.

To investigate the frequency, course, and clinical correlates of disorientation following stroke, we administered the Mini-Mental State Examination orientation subtest to 177 alert patients 7-10 days and 3 months after stroke and 240 stroke-free nondemented subjects. Disorientation was defined as a score < or = 8/10. Seventy-two (40.7%) of the patients were disoriented 7-10 days after stroke and 39 patients (22.0% of the sample) remained disoriented 3 months later. A logistic regression analysis determined that persistent disorientation was significantly related to stroke status [odds ratio (OR) = 5.8], after adjusting for memory and attentional deficits and demographic variables. Among stroke patients, disorientation was associated with severe hemispheral stroke syndromes (OR = 7.7), but not infarct location or vascular risk factor history, after adjusting for memory and attentional deficits and demographic variables. Sensitivity and specificity analyses determined that disorientation was an inaccurate marker for dementia or deficits in memory or attention, while intact orientation was associated with a low probability of dementia or memory dysfunction in most patients but not preserved attention. We conclude that disorientation is common and persistent following stroke and associated with severe hemispheral stroke syndromes but not infarct location. While disorientation is a poor marker for dementia or deficits in memory or attention, intact orientation should suggest that cognitive functions are likely to be preserved.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is a primary cardiac neoplasm that typically affects the cardiac valves, mainly the aortic and mitral valves, and very rarely the endocardium of cardiac chambers. Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is rarely diagnosed during life, as the majority are incidental findings at autopsy, but with the advent of echocardiography, it is being increasingly recognized. Although the tumor is usually small and histologically benign, it may have a malignant propensity for life-threatening complications, such as a cerebrovascular accident, myocardial ischemia or infarction, or sudden death. The patient reported here presented with an embolic stroke from a thrombus on the surface of a left atrial papillary fibroelastoma. The papillary fibroelastoma was originating from the lower portion of the left inferior pulmonary vein and was protruding into the left atrial cavity. Papillary fibroelastoma originating from the pulmonary veins has not been reported before. The tumor was successfully removed by intra operative transesophageal echocardiography-guided cardiac surgery. Grossly, the surface of the tumor was smooth and translucent. The gelatinous membrane on the surface tore easily, and soft papillary tumor with multiple fronds was visible. Histology confirmed the mass was a papillary fibroelastoma. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram revealed no residual or recurrence of tumor. The patient was in excellent health at 2-year follow-up. The case is described and the clinical characteristics of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma are reviewed.