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Background: Telemedicine provides specialized medical expertise in underserved areas where neurological expertise is frequently not available on a daily basis for hospitalized stroke patients. While tele-consultations are well established in acute stroke assessment, the value of telemedicine-based ward-rounds in the subsequent in-patient stroke management is unknown., Methods: Four telemedicine stroke networks in Germany, implemented in eight out of 16 federal states, participate in this prospective observational multi-center study. We plan to enroll 523 patients hospitalized due to acute (suspected or confirmed) stroke or transient ischemic attack. Each recruited patient will receive both a tele-consultation and an on-site consultation at the same day within the first three days after hospital admission. We will test non-inferiority of telemedicine-based assessments in ward-rounds in terms of quality of medical assessment and recommendations for hospitalized stroke patients. The correctness of the medical assessment and recommendation is defined as positive evaluation (binary, correct vs. in-correct) of six out of six predefined quality indicators by at least two out of three blinded independent raters. The non-inferiority margin for the difference in proportions of correct assessments is set to 5%-points., Discussion: If non-inferiority of telemedicine-based ward-rounds compared to on-site ward-rounds by a neurologist were demonstrated, telemedicine-based neurological consultation for post-acute stroke patients may contribute to deliver evidence-based high-quality stroke care more easily in underserved regions., Trial Registration: DRKS - DRKS00028671 ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00028671 ; registration date 09-27-2022)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: Telemedicine is frequently used to provide remote neurological expertise for acute stroke workup and was associated with better functional outcomes when combined with a stroke unit system-of-care. We investigated whether such system-of-care yields additional benefits when implemented on top of neurological competence already available onsite., Methods: Quality improvement measures were implemented within a "hub-and-spoke" teleneurology network in 11 hospitals already provided with onsite or telestroke expertise. Measures included dedicated units for neurological emergencies, standardization of procedures, multiprofessional training, and quality-of-care monitoring. Intervention effects were investigated in a controlled study enrolling patients insured at 3 participating statutory health insurances diagnosed with acute stroke or other neurological emergencies. Outcomes during the intervention period between November 2017 and February 2020 were compared with those pre-intervention between October 2014 and March 2017. To control for temporal trends, we compared outcomes of patients with respective diagnoses in 11 hospitals of the same region. Primary outcome was the composite of up-to-90-day death, new disability with the need of ambulatory or nursing home care, expressed by adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)., Results: We included 1,418 patients post-implementation (55% female, mean age 76.7 ± 12.8 year) and 2,306 patients pre-implementation (56%, 75.8 ± 13.0 year, respectively). The primary outcome occurred in 479/1,418 (33.8%) patients post-implementation and in 829/2,306 (35.9%) pre-implementation. The aHR for the primary outcome was 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79-0.99, p = 0.04) with no improvement seen in non-participating hospitals between post- versus pre-implementation periods (aHR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95-1.15)., Interpretation: Implementation of a multicomponent system-of-care was associated with a lower risk of poor outcomes. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:511-521., (© 2022 The Authors. Annals of Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.)

Background: Endovascular treatment of large vessel occlusion in acute ischemic stroke patients is difficult to establish in remote areas, and time dependency of treatment effect increases the urge to develop health care concepts for this population., Summary: Current strategies include direct transportation of patients to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) ("mothership model") or transportation to the nearest primary stroke center (PSC) and secondary transfer to the CSC ("drip-and-ship model"). Both have disadvantages. We propose the model "flying intervention team." Patients will be transported to the nearest PSC; if telemedically identified as eligible for thrombectomy, an intervention team will be acutely transported via helicopter to the PSC and endovascular treatment will be performed on site. Patients stay at the PSC for further stroke unit care. This model was implemented at a telestroke network in Germany. Fifteen remote hospitals participated in the project, covering 14,000 km2 and a population of 2 million. All have well established telemedically supported stroke units, an angiography suite, and a helicopter pad. Processes were defined individually for each hospital and training sessions were implemented for all stroke teams. An exclusive project helicopter was installed to be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during 26 weeks per year. Key Messages: The model of the flying intervention team is likely to reduce time delays since processes will be performed in parallel, rather than consecutively, and since it is quicker to move a medical team rather than a patient. This project is currently under evaluation (clinicaltrials NCT04270513)., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Stroke is a complex, time-sensitive, medical emergency that requires well functioning systems of care to optimise treatment and improve patient outcomes. Education and training campaigns are needed to improve both the recognition of stroke among the general public and the response of emergency medical services. Specialised stroke ambulances (mobile stroke units) have been piloted in many cities to speed up the diagnosis, triage, and emergency treatment of people with acute stroke symptoms. Hospital-based interdisciplinary stroke units remain the central feature of a modern stroke service. Many have now developed a role in the very early phase (hyperacute units) plus outreach for patients who return home (early supported discharge services). Different levels (comprehensive and primary) of stroke centre and telemedicine networks have been developed to coordinate the various service components with specialist investigations and interventions including rehabilitation. Major challenges include the harmonisation of resources for stroke across the whole patient journey (including the rapid, accurate triage of patients who require highly specialised treatment in comprehensive stroke centres) and the development of technology to improve communication across different parts of a service., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with a sudden onset of focal neurological deficits consistent with stroke, who turn out to have alternative conditions, have been labeled stroke mimics., Aims: We assessed a recently validated telemedicine-based stroke mimic score (TeleStroke mimic score; TM-score) and individual patient characteristics with regard to its discriminative value between cerebrovascular disease and stroke mimic patients in the in-person, pre-hospital setting., Methods: We evaluated patients cared for in a mobile stroke unit in Berlin, Germany. We investigated whether the TM-score (comprising six parameters), Face Arm Speech Time test, and individual patient characteristics were able to differentiate cerebrovascular disease from stroke mimic patients., Results: We included 423 patients (299 (70.7%) cerebrovascular disease and 124 (29.3%) stroke mimic) in the final analysis. A TM-score > 30 indicated a high probability of a cerebrovascular disease and a score ≤15 of a stroke mimic. The TM-score performed well to identify stroke mimics (area under the curve of 0.74 under receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis). The cerebrovascular disease patients were older (74.8 vs. 69.8 years, p = 0.001), had more often severe strokes (NIHSS > 14 25.8% vs. 11.3%, p = 0.001), presented more often with weakness of the face (70.9% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.001) or arm (60.9% vs. 33.9%, p = 0.001), dysarthria (59.5% vs. 40.3%, p < 0.001), history of atrial fibrillation (38.1% vs. 21.0%, p = 0.001), arterial hypertension (78.9% vs. 53.2%, p < 0.001), and less often with seizure (0.7% vs. 21.0%, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The TM-score and certain patient characteristics can help paramedics and emergency physicians in the field to identify stroke mimic patients and select the most appropriate hospital destination.

Background Mobile stroke units ( MSU s), equipped with an integrated computed tomography scanner, can shorten time to thrombolytic treatment and may improve outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Original (German) MSU s are staffed by neurologists trained as emergency physicians, but patient assessment and treatment decisions by a remote neurologist may offer an alternative to neurologists aboard MSU . Methods and Results Remote neurologists examined and assessed emergency patients treated aboard the MSU in Berlin, Germany. Audiovisual quality was rated by the remote neurologist from 1 (excellent) to 6 (insufficient), and duration of video examinations was assessed. We analyzed interrater reliability of diagnoses, scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and treatment decisions (intravenous thrombolysis) between the MSU neurologist and the remote neurologist. We included 90 of 103 emergency assessments (13 patients were excluded because of either failed connection, technical problems, clinical worsening during teleconsultation, or missing data in documentation) in this study. The remote neurologist rated audiovisual quality with a median grade for audio quality of 3 (satisfactory) and for video quality of 2 (good). Mean time for completion of teleconsultations was about 19±5 minutes. The interrater reliabilities between the onboard and remote neurologist were high for diagnoses (Cohen's κ=0.86), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale sum scores (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.87) and treatment decisions (16 treatment decisions agreed versus 2 disagreed; Cohen's κ=0.93). Conclusions Remote assessment and treatment decisions of emergency patients are technically feasible with satisfactory audiovisual quality. Agreement on diagnoses, neurological examinations, and treatment decisions between onboard and remote neurologists was high.

Purpose: Telestroke is one of the most frequently used and rapidly expanding applications of telemedicine, delivering much-needed stroke expertise to hospitals and patients. This document reviews the current status of telestroke and suggests measures for ongoing quality and outcome monitoring to improve performance and to enhance delivery of care., Methods: A literature search was undertaken to examine the current status of telestroke and relevant quality indicators. The members of the writing committee contributed to the review of specific quality and outcome measures with specific suggestions for metrics in telestroke networks. The drafts were circulated and revised by all committee members, and suggestions were discussed for consensus., Results: Models of telestroke and the role of telestroke in stroke systems of care are reviewed. A brief description of the science of quality monitoring and prior experience in quality measures for stroke is provided. Process measures, outcomes, tissue-type plasminogen activator use, patient and provider satisfaction, and telestroke technology are reviewed, and suggestions are provided for quality metrics. Additional topics include licensing, credentialing, training, and documentation., (© 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background and Purpose: Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute ischemic stroke is more effective when delivered early. Timely delivery is challenging particularly in rural areas with long distances. We compared delays and treatment rates of a large, decentralized telemedicine-based system and a well-organized, large, centralized single-hospital system., Methods: We analyzed the centralized system of the Helsinki University Central Hospital (Helsinki and Province of Uusimaa, Finland, 1.56 million inhabitants, 9096 km 2 ) and the decentralized TeleStroke Unit network in a predominantly rural area (Telemedical Project for Integrative Stroke Care [TEMPiS], South-East Bavaria, Germany, 1.94 million inhabitants, 14 992 km 2 ). All consecutive tPA treatments were prospectively registered. We compared tPA rates per total ischemic stroke admissions in the Helsinki and TEMPiS catchment areas. For delay comparisons, we excluded patients with basilar artery occlusions, in-hospital strokes, and those being treated after 270 minutes., Results: From January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013, 912 patients received tPA in Helsinki University Central Hospital and 1779 in TEMPiS hospitals. Area-based tPA rates were equal (13.0% of 7017 ischemic strokes in the Helsinki University Central Hospital area versus 13.3% of 14 637 ischemic strokes in the TEMPiS area; P=0.078). Median prehospital delays were longer (88; interquartile range, 60-135 versus 65; 48-101 minutes; P<0.001) but in-hospital delays were shorter (18; interquartile range, 13-30 versus 39; 26-56 minutes; P<0.001) in Helsinki University Central Hospital compared with TEMPiS with no difference in overall delays (117; interquartile range, 81-168 versus 115; 87-155 minutes; P=0.45)., Conclusions: A decentralized telestroke thrombolysis service can achieve similar treatment rates and time delays for a rural population as a centralized system can achieve for an urban population., (© 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Over the last 15 years, new approaches regarding neuroprotective and thrombolytic strategies in stroke management have been evaluated in the prehospital setting. These efforts have provided exciting new potentials of hyperacute stroke care. Trials have shown that the use of specialized stroke ambulances increases the proportion of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis and shortens alarm-to-treatment time by approximately half an hour compared to standard care. Intravenous thrombolysis within the ultra-early time window of the 'golden hour' has become a realistic scenario. However, direct effects of prehospital stroke care on functional outcome have yet to be shown and other approaches such as neuroprotective treatments could not demonstrate clinical benefit so far. There is a clear need for systematic research in the prehospital field to test the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of new therapeutic strategies. It will be necessary to test various components of prehospital stroke care alone and in combination.

TeleStroke has become an increasing means to overcome shortage of stroke expertise in underserved areas. This rapidly growing field has triggered a large amount of publications in recent years. We aimed to analyze recent advances in the field of telemedicine for acute stroke, with main focus on prehospital management, Stroke Unit treatment and network implementations in developing countries. Out of 260 articles, 25 were selected for this systematic review: 9 regarding prehospital management, 14 regarding Stroke Unit treatment and 2 describing a network in developing countries. Prehospital management showed that stroke recognition can start at the dispatch emergency call, important clinical information can be electronically transmitted to hospitals before admission and even acute treatment such as thrombolysis can be initiated in the prehospital field if ambulances are equipped with CT scan and point-of-care laboratory. Articles on remote clinical examination, telemedical imaging interpretation, trial recruitment and cost-effectiveness described various aspects of Stroke Unit treatment within TeleStroke networks, underlining reliability, safety and cost savings of these systems of care. Only one network was described to have been implemented in a developing/emerging nation. TeleStroke is a growing field expanding its focus to a broader spectrum of stroke care. It still seems to be underused, particularly in developing countries., (© 2014 World Stroke Organization.)

Background and Purpose: Stroke Unit care improves stroke prognosis and is recommended for all patients with stroke. In rural areas, population-wide implementation of Stroke Units is challenging. Therefore, the TeleMedical Project for integrative Stroke Care (TEMPiS) was established in 2003 as a TeleStroke Unit network to overcome this barrier in Southeast Bavaria/Germany. Evaluation of its implementation between 2003 and 2005 had revealed improved process quality and clinical outcomes compared with matched hospitals without TeleStroke Units. Data on sustainability of these effects are lacking., Methods: Effects on the stroke care of the local population were analyzed by using data from official hospital reports. Prospective registries from 2003 to 2012 describe processes and outcomes of consecutive patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack treated in TEMPiS hospitals. Quality indicators assess diagnostics, treatment, and outcome. Rates and timeliness of intravenous thrombolysis as well as data on teleconsultations and secondary interhospital transfers were reported over time., Results: Within the covered area, network implementation increased the number of patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack treated in hospitals with (Tele-)Stroke Units substantially from 19% to 78%. Between February 2003 and December 2012, 54 804 strokes and transient ischemic attacks were treated in 15 regional hospitals, and 31 864 teleconsultations were performed. Intravenous thrombolysis was applied 3331 stroke cases with proportions increasing from 2.6% to 15.5% of all patients with ischemic stroke. Median onset-to-treatment times decreased from 150 (interquartile range, 127-163) to 120 minutes (interquartile range, 90-160) and door-to-needle times from 80 (interquartile range, 68-101) to 40 minutes (interquartile range, 29-59)., Conclusions: TeleStroke Units can provide sustained high-quality stroke care in rural areas., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)

This Review focuses on the application of telemedicine to the care of patients with acute stroke (telestroke), from the prehospital setting through hospitalization. Telestroke has grown remarkably in the past decade and has entered mainstream care for patients with acute stroke. Telestroke enables such patients to be remotely evaluated, thereby allowing optimal treatment and management even in clinically underserved areas and removing geographical disparities in access to expert care. Telestroke systems enable thrombolytic treatment to be administered in community and rural hospitals, and facilitate the appropriate transfer of patients with complex conditions (who require critical care services and neurosurgical or intra-arterial interventions) to a comprehensive stroke centre. Decision-analytic models show that telestroke is cost-effective from both a societal and a hospital perspective. Limitations to the use of telestroke in the USA include the need for state licensing and credentialling of physicians, and the technical requirements of a minimum network bandwidth (which is still lacking in some regions). However, the opportunity exists for telestroke to become the backbone of an electronic stroke unit and to be used to identify and enrol patients in clinical trials of acute stroke treatment. The use of telestroke in the prehospital setting has been hampered by limited telecommunication availability, but these problems might be mitigated by fourth-generation cellular data networks.

Background and Purpose: Pre- and intrahospital time delays are major concerns in acute stroke care. Telemedicine-equipped ambulances may improve time management and identify patients with stroke eligible for thrombolysis by an early prehospital stroke diagnosis. The aims of this study were (1) to develop a telestroke ambulance prototype; (2) to test the reliability of stroke severity assessment; and (3) to evaluate its feasibility in the prehospital emergency setting., Methods: Mobil, real-time audio-video streaming telemedicine devices were implemented into advanced life support ambulances. Feasibility of telestroke ambulances and reliability of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assessment were tested using current wireless cellular communication technology (third generation) in a prehospital stroke scenario. Two stroke actors were trained in simulation of differing right and left middle cerebral artery stroke syndromes. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assessment was performed by a hospital-based stroke physician by telemedicine, by an emergency physician guided by telemedicine, and "a posteriori" on the basis of video documentation., Results: In 18 of 30 scenarios, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assessment could not be performed due to absence or loss of audio-video signal. In the remaining 12 completed scenarios, interrater agreement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale examination between ambulance and hospital and ambulance and "a posteriori" video evaluation was moderate to good with weighted κ values of 0.69 (95% CI, 0.51-0.87) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.59-0.98), respectively., Conclusion: Prehospital telestroke examination was not at an acceptable level for clinical use, at least on the basis of the used technology. Further technical development is needed before telestroke is applicable for prehospital stroke management during patient transport.

The aim of this new statement is to provide a comprehensive and evidence-based review of the scientific data evaluating the use of telemedicine for stroke care delivery and to provide consensus recommendations based on the available evidence. The evidence is organized and presented within the context of the American Heart Association's Stroke Systems of Care framework and is classified according to the joint American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation and supplementary American Heart Association Stroke Council methods of classifying the level of certainty and the class of evidence. Evidence-based recommendations are included for the use of telemedicine in general neurological assessment and primary prevention of stroke; notification and response of emergency medical services; acute stroke treatment, including the hyperacute and emergency department phases; hospital-based subacute stroke treatment and secondary prevention; and rehabilitation.

Background and Purpose: Stroke unit treatment is effective in reducing death and dependency after stroke but is not available in many, particularly rural, areas. The implementation of a stroke network with telemedicine support was associated with improved outcome at 3 months. We report follow-up results at 12 and 30 months after acute stroke., Methods: Telemedical Project for Integrative Stroke Care (TEMPiS) consists of the set-up of specialized local stroke wards, continuous medical education, and telemedical consultation for patients with acute stroke by 2 stroke centers. In a prospective, nonrandomized, intervention study, 5 community hospitals participating in the network were compared with 5 matched control hospitals without specialized stroke facilities or telemedical support. All patients with consecutive ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke admitted between July 2003 and March 2005 were evaluated. Outcome "death and dependency" was defined by death, institutional care, or disability (Barthel index <60 or Rankin scale >3)., Results: We followed-up 3060 patients (1938 in TEMPiS and 1122 in control hospitals). Follow-up rates were 97.2% after 12 months and 95.9% after 30 months for death or institutional care, and 96.5% after 12 months and 95.7% after 30 months for death and dependency. In multivariable regression analysis, there was no significant effect of the TEMPiS intervention for reduced "death or institutional care" at 12 months (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.75-1.07; P=0.23) and 30 months (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.78-1.11; P=0.40) but a significant reduction of "death and dependency" at 12 months (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.54-0.78; P<0.01) and 30 months (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.98; P=0.031)., Conclusions: Implementing a system of specialized stroke wards, continuing education, and telemedicine in community hospitals offers long-term benefit for acute stroke patients.

Telestroke is the application of telemedicine in stroke care. Hence, teleconsultation means the performance of consultation by a remotely located expert through the use of high-quality videoconferencing. Remote evaluation of stroke patients via telemedicine is increasingly utilized, particularly in neurologically underserved areas. It is usually based on video examination and evaluations of brain scans via teleradiology. Scientific analyses have demonstrated the reliability of neurological assessments via videoconference. Teleradiology using electronically transmitted original imaging data is potentially equivalent to onsite assessment. Telemedicine consultation including video examination and teleradiology improves accuracy of acute stroke treatment decisions compared to telephone-based consultation. Telemedicine is already frequently used to extend the benefits of intravenous thrombolysis to patients in nonspecialized hospitals. Beyond thrombolysis, telemedicine can be used for immediate decision making in acute stroke, e.g. for triage of patients who might benefit from interventional treatments not available at the referring hospital. However, improved clinical outcomes of stroke patients have only been investigated and shown when telemedicine was combined with the Stroke Unit concept based on specialized stroke wards and organized stroke care. More scientific evaluation is needed in the fields of cost effectiveness, quality management and implementation of further technological innovations. There are still insufficient data about the use of telemedicine in stroke prevention, rehabilitation and post-stroke care., ((c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The use of telemedicine services, such as telestroke, is still highly fragmented and its deployment in an integrative healthcare system is challenging. Factors impeding the growth of telemedicine include confidence and malpractice issues, technical advances, reimbursement, licensing, credentialing costs, cost effectiveness, and legal issues. These barriers, limitations and requirements in the routine use of telemedicine are reviewed, in addition to medical activities, the objectives of telestroke, technical aspects, funding, legal issues, evaluation and quality management. As telemedicine induces a new form of interrelationship between health care providers, mutual trust and acceptance need to be developed in telemedicine services. Furthermore, education and training will be crucial in order to facilitate the use of telestroke over the next decade., ((c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background and Purpose: Telemedicine is increasingly used to provide acute stroke expertise for hospitals without full-time neurological services. Teleconsulting through mobile laptop computers may offer more flexibility compared with hospital-based services, but concerns about quality and technical reliability remain., Methods: We conducted a controlled trial, allocating hospital-based or mobile teleconsulting in a shift-by-shift sequence and evaluating technical parameters, acceptability, and impact on immediate clinical decisions. Both types of telemedicine workstations were equipped with DICOM (Digital-Imaging-and-Communications-in-Medicine) viewer and videoconference software. The laptop connected by asymmetrical broadband UMTS (Universal-Mobile-Telecommunication-Systems) technology with a one-way spoke-to-hub video transmission, whereas the hospital-based device used landline symmetrical telecommunication, including a 2-way videoconference., Results: One hundred twenty-seven hospital-based and 96 mobile teleconsultations were conducted within 2 months without any technical breakdown. The rates per allocated time were similar with 3.8 and 4.0 per day. No significant differences were found for durations of videoconference (mean: 11+/-3 versus 10+/-3 minutes, P=0.07), DICOM download (3+/-3 versus 4+/-3 minutes, P=0.19), and total duration of teleconsultations (44+/-19 versus 45+/-21 minutes, P=0.98). Technical quality of mobile teleconsultations was rated worse on both sides, but this did not affect the ability to make remote clinical decisions like initiating thrombolysis (17% versus 13% of all, P=0.32)., Conclusions: Teleconsultation using a laptop workstation and broadband mobile telecommunication was technically stable and allowed remote clinical decision-making. There remain disadvantages regarding videoconference quality on the hub side and lack of video transmission to the spoke side.

Background: State-of-the-art stroke management requires neurological expertise for the recognition of complex cerebrovascular syndromes or stroke-mimicking symptoms and initiation of proven acute therapies. Many community hospitals struggle to fulfill these premises particularly at evening/nighttimes or weekends. Telemedicine can improve that situation by offering rapid access to neurological expertise, but it has not been shown to what extent it is used beyond working times., Methods: The Telemedical Project for Integrated Stroke Care is a telemedical network of 2 stroke centers and 12 regional general hospitals with newly established stroke wards in Bavaria. This analysis comprises all teleconsultations from 1st February 2003 to 15th December 2006. The consultations were prospectively documented and categorized according to predefined indications and direct impact on clinical decisions. The teleconsultations were analyzed concerning whether they were requested during regular working time or during off-time (at evening/night times or weekends)., Results: A total of 10,239 teleconsultations were carried out in 8,326 patients. The 6,679 patients with cerebrovascular diagnosis comprised 51% of all admitted stroke cases between 2003 and 2006. During off-time 6,306 consultations (62%) were requested; 1,598 teleconsultations yielded nonstroke diagnoses, with 68% beyond working hours. Of all presented stroke patients 567 (8.5%) received systemic thrombolysis, with 58% off-time. Interhospital transports were initiated in 1,050 patients (10.5% of all), mainly for specific diagnostic workup or interventional treatments. Sixty percent of these transfers were launched off-time., Conclusions: The majority of teleconsultations were requested beyond normal working times and a significant proportion had an immediate impact on clinical decisions., ((c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background and Purpose: Basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a stroke subtype with poor prognosis, but recanalizing therapies have been reported to be effective. We investigated whether initial admission to telemedically linked general hospitals with subsequent stroke-center transfer is related to poorer outcome than direct admission to stroke centers., Methods: All BAO cases of 3 stroke centers in Munich and 1 center in Regensburg between March 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004 were included, either if patients were directly admitted to stroke centers (n=23) or had initial admission to general hospitals of the telemedical network for integrative stroke care (TEMPiS) and secondary transfer to stroke centers (n=16). BAO was defined as angiographically (CTA, MRI or conventional angiography) confirmed occlusion of the basilar artery. Baseline parameters and therapeutic procedures were recorded. One-year follow-up was conducted prospectively., Results: Differences in baseline parameters were not statistically significant. Time from onset to first angiography was significantly longer in patients with secondary transfer (mean: 355+/-93 minutes versus 222+/-198 minutes; P<0.01), mainly attributable to transfer duration (mean:156+/-73 minutes). In-hospital mortality (22% versus 75%; P<0.01) and 1-year-mortality (30% versus 81%; P<0.01) were lower for patients with direct admission to stroke centers. Fifty-two percent of directly admitted patients versus 13% of patients with secondary transfer (P=0.02) were living at home after 1 year., Conclusions: BAO patients who were admitted primarily to community hospitals had a worse prognosis. Patients with typical symptoms should have direct access to stroke centers, or may need bridging therapies.

Background: Telemedical networks are a new approach to improve stroke care in community settings. We aimed to assess the effects of a stroke network with telemedical support in Germany on quality of care, according to acute processes and long-term outcome., Methods: Five community hospitals without pre-existing specialised stroke care were included in a network with telemedical support by two academic hospitals. In a non-randomised, open intervention study, five community hospitals without specialised stroke care served as the control group, matched individually to the network hospitals by predefined characteristics. Stroke patients admitted consecutively to one of the participating hospitals between July 7, 2003, and March 31, 2005, were included in the study. Patients in network and control hospitals were assessed in the same manner and were followed up for vital status, living situation, and disability at 3 months. Poor outcome was defined by death, institutional care, or disability (Barthel index <60 or modified Rankin scale >3). Predefined indicators for quality of acute stroke care were achieved., Findings: A total of 5696 patients with a sudden, non-convulsive loss of neurological function who were diagnosed with having suspected stroke were admitted to the ten hospitals participating in the study. After exclusion, 3122 were included in the final analysis, of whom 1971 (63%) were treated in the network hospitals. All indicators related to quality of acute stroke care were more commonly met in the network than in the control hospitals. After 3 months, 44% of patients treated in network hospitals versus 54% treated in control hospitals had a poor outcome (p<0.0001). In multivariate regression analysis, treatment in network hospitals independently reduced the probability of a poor outcome (odds ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.74; p<0.0001)., Interpretation: Telemedical networks with academic stroke centres offer new and innovative approaches to improve acute stroke care at community level for stroke patients living in non-urban areas.

Background and Purpose: Systemic thrombolysis represents the only proven therapy for acute ischemic stroke, but safe treatment is reported only in established stroke units. One major goal of the ongoing Telemedic Pilot Project for Integrative Stroke Care (TEMPiS) in Bavaria is to extend the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment in nonurban areas through telemedic support., Methods: The stroke centers in Munich-Harlaching and in Regensburg established a telestroke network to provide consultations for 12 local hospitals in eastern Bavaria. The telemedic system consists of a digital network that includes a 2-way video conference system and CT/MRI image transfer with a high-speed data transmission up to 2 Mb/s. Each network hospital established specialized stroke wards in which qualified teams treat acute stroke patients. Physicians in these hospitals are able to contact the stroke centers 24 hours per day., Results: A total of 106 systemic thrombolyses were indicated via teleconsultations between February 1, 2003, and April 7, 2004. During the first 12 months, the rate of thrombolyses was 2.1% of all stroke patients. Mean age was 68 years, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 13. Mean delay between onset and hospital admission was 65 minutes, and door-to-needle time was on average 76 minutes, which included 15 minutes for the teleconsultation. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 8.5% of patients, and in-hospital mortality was 10.4%., Conclusions: The present data suggest that systemic thrombolysis indicated via stroke experts in the setting of teleconsultation exhibits similar complication rates to those reported in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke trial. Therefore, tPA treatment is also safe in this context and can be extended to nonurban areas.

Background: Providing stroke unit treatment for all stroke patients is a cross-national goal as stated in the WHO Helsingborg Declaration. In order to achieve specialized stroke care for a large area, two stroke centers and 12 community hospitals established an integrative stroke network. This evaluation was performed to analyze achieved advances in stroke management., Methods: Core network elements are: (1) establishing stroke wards in all hospitals; (2) continuous training in stroke treatment; (3) telemedicine service staffed by a 24 h/day 'strokologist' with capability for high-speed videoconferencing and transfer of CT/MRI images. Data were prospectively documented in the databank of the telestroke service, in the Bavarian Stroke Registry and in the controlling departments., Results: In 2003, 4,179 stroke patients were admitted to the regional network hospitals. Between February 2003 and January 2004 a total of 2,182 teleconsultations were conducted. 250 teleconsultations yielded a nonvascular diagnosis. Indicators for stroke management quality improved compared with other hospitals without stroke unit: the frequency of CT/MRI within 3 h was 59% compared to 46%, frequency of speech therapy 36% (21%), and of occupational therapy 38% (12%). Eighty-six (2.1%) of the patients received systemic thrombolysis compared to 10 patients in the preceding year. Mean length of in-hospital stay decreased from 12.4 in 2002 to 9.7 days in 2003., Conclusions: This stroke network concept leads to a substantial improvement of stroke management. Telemedicine contributes to an early etiological assessment and fills the gap of specialized stroke expertise in neurologically underserved areas., (Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objectives: To measure the density of retinal vessels from digitized fundus photographs in patients with recent stroke and age-matched controls. To investigate whether the parameter retinal vascular density (RVD) served as a quantitative marker for cerebrovascular events. Methods: Digitized fundus photographs of n = 158 subjects with stroke or transient ischemic attack within 1 year at the time of examination and n = 1,250 age-matched controls without any remarkable medical history were examined. Sex, hypertension, and diabetes were considered to be cofactors. Measurement of RVD was performed with a computer-aided image-analyzing program by segmenting automatically all visible retinal vessels and measuring areas of vessels in distinct circles around the optic disk. Results: In controls RVD dwindles with increasing distance from the optic disk. RVD decreased significantly with age (p = 0.000). Stroke patients showed significantly lower values of RVD of –15% in comparison to age-matched controls. In old subjects, stroke in combination with hypertension is associated with a significant decreased RVD, and in middle-aged subjects diabetes and stroke are associated with a significant decreased RVD (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Age and stroke are significant risk factors for decreased RVD. Diabetes and arterial hypertension are additional significant risk factors in patients with stroke with respect to RVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Prehospital stroke care in specialized ambulances increases thrombolysis rates, reduces alarm-to-treatment times, and improves the prehospital triage. Preliminary analyses suggest cost-effectiveness. However, scientific proof of better functional outcome compared to usual care is still lacking. Aim: To prove better functional outcomes after deployment of the Stroke Emergency Mobile compared to regular ambulances. Sample size estimates: A sample size of 686 patients will be required in each arm (Stroke Emergency Mobile group vs. regular care) to detect a difference regarding the primary outcome with 80% power at a two-sided significance level of 0.05. Methods and design: This is a pragmatic, prospective study with blinded outcome assessment. Primary outcome will be functional status as defined by modified Rankin Scale score three months after the incident event. We will include cerebral ischemia patients within a predefined catchment area in Berlin, Germany. The study population consists of patients who might be candidates for acute recanalizing treatments, with onset-to-alarm time <4 h, symptoms not resolved at time of ambulance arrival, and able to walk without assistance prior to the qualifying incident. About 45% of Stroke Emergency Mobile dispatches are expected to be handled by regular ambulances, since Stroke Emergency Mobile will be already in operation creating the control group. Primary outcome: Functional outcome after three months measured by the modified Rankin Scale over the entire range. Discussion: The results will inform decision makers on the effectiveness of Stroke Emergency Mobile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tele Stroke has become an increasing means to overcome shortage of stroke expertise in underserved areas. This rapidly growing field has triggered a large amount of publications in recent years. We aimed to analyze recent advances in the field of telemedicine for acute stroke, with main focus on prehospital management, Stroke Unit treatment and network implementations in developing countries. Out of 260 articles, 25 were selected for this systematic review: 9 regarding prehospital management, 14 regarding Stroke Unit treatment and 2 describing a network in developing countries. Prehospital management showed that stroke recognition can start at the dispatch emergency call, important clinical information can be electronically transmitted to hospitals before admission and even acute treatment such as thrombolysis can be initiated in the prehospital field if ambulances are equipped with CT scan and point-of-care laboratory. Articles on remote clinical examination, telemedical imaging interpretation, trial recruitment and cost-effectiveness described various aspects of Stroke Unit treatment within Tele Stroke networks, underlining reliability, safety and cost savings of these systems of care. Only one network was described to have been implemented in a developing/emerging nation. Tele Stroke is a growing field expanding its focus to a broader spectrum of stroke care. It still seems to be underused, particularly in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Time from symptom onset to treatment is closely associated with the effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients. Hospitals are encouraged to take every effort to shorten delay of treatment. Despite combined efforts to streamline procedures in hospitals to provide treatment as soon as possible, most patients receive tissue plasminogen activator with considerable delay and very few of them within 90 mins. Germany has an internationally acknowledged prehospital emergency care system with specially trained doctors on ambulances. We developed an ambulance equipped with a Computed Tomography ( CT) scanner, point-of-care laboratory, teleradiological support, and an emergency-trained neurologist on board. In the Pre- Hospital Acute Neurological Therapy and Optimization of Medical care in Stroke Patients study, we aim at a reduction of the current alarm-to-needle time by prehospital use of tissue plasminogen activator in an ambulance. Aims We hypothesized that compared with regular care, we will reduce alarm-to-needle time by a minimum of 20 mins by implementation of the stroke emergency mobile unit. Design Prospective study comparing randomly allocated periods with and without stroke emergency mobile unit availability. Study Outcomes Primary end point of the study is alarm-to-needle time. Secondary outcomes include thrombolysis treatment rates, modified Rankin scale after three-months, and alarm-to-imaging or alarm-to-laboratory time; safety aspects to be evaluated are mortality and rates of (symptomatic) intracerebral hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravenous thrombolysis leads to a reduction of post-stroke disability. No data exist about whether depression and poor quality of life (QoL) remain relevant problems in patients with good functional outcome. We assessed mood and QoL at 3 and 6 months after stroke in consecutive patients who received intravenous thrombolysis in stroke centers and telemedicine hospitals within the TEMPiS network. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used with BDI ≥18 indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Stroke specific quality of life (SSQOL) was used for QoL assessment with the definition of SSQOL total score <60% for poor QoL. Associations of BDI and SSQOL with baseline parameters and modified Rankin scale (mRS) in follow-up were analyzed. In patients with known mRS 0-4 at 3 months ( N = 213), BDI was available in 74% and SSQOL in 77%. At 3 and 6 months, 23 and 18% of patients had clinically relevant depressive symptoms; 25 and 24% reported a poor QoL. The mRS at 3 months correlated with BDI ( r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and SSQOL ( r = −0.75, p < 0.01). BDI ≥18 was observed in 11% of patients with mRS 0-1 and 16% in mRS 0-2. Severe stroke (NIHSS ≥12) at admission (OR 1.23, 0.57-2.66; p = 0.57) was not predictive for depressive symptoms but for poor QoL (OR 2.77, 95%CI 1.34-5.74). Depressive symptoms and impaired QoL are observed in a substantial proportion of stroke patients at 3 months after intravenous thrombolysis. Health professionals should be aware that thrombolysed patients may have relevant mood disorders despite good functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]