Stroke is a major health-care problem that represents a leading cause of death and also the top cause of disability in adulthood. In recent years there has been a significant paradigm shift in treatments for acute ischemic stroke to favor earlier reperfusion therapy, mainly using the systemic infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Subsequent trials found that combining this treatment with endovascular therapy was effective in selected patients. The increased complexity of acute stroke treatments has resulted in a substantial reorganization of stroke care. This review reports on the evolution of acute ischemic stroke treatment and describes the main organizational models based on the hub-and-spoke system. The lack of evidence for comparisons of the effectiveness of different paradigms means that some decision-analysis models predicting the best organizational pathways are also reported, with a particular emphasis on the workflow timing in the prehospital and in-hospital settings. Major benchmarks and performance measures are also reported, focusing on the timing of interventions and rates of process indicators. Finally, future directions are illustrated, including using telemedicine for stroke, mobile stroke units, and artificial intelligence and automated machines to produce software for detecting large-vessel occlusion.

Background: and Purpose Substantial uncertainty exists on the benefit of organizational paradigms in stroke networks. Here we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed data from studies comparing functional outcome between the mothership (MS) and the drip and ship (DS) models. Methods: The meta-analysis protocol was registered international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central databases were searched for randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs), retrospective and prospective studies comparing MS versus DS. Primary endpoints were functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale <3) and successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction Scale [TICI] >2a); secondary endpoints were 3-month mortality and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH). Odds ratios for endpoints were pooled using the random effects model and were compared between the two organizational models. Results: Overall, 18 studies (n=7,017) were included in quantitative synthesis. MS paradigm was superior to DS model for functional independence (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 1.55; I2=30%). Meta-regression analysis revealed association between onset-to-needle time and good functional outcome, with longer onset-to-needle time being detrimental. Similar rates of recanalization, sICH and mortality at 90 days were documented between MS and DS. Conclusions Patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for reperfusion strategies might benefit more from MS paradigm as compared to DS. RCTs are needed to further refine best management taking into account logistics, facilities and resources.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy with or without intravenous thrombolysis is indicated in the acute treatment of ischemic strokes caused by an emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) within 6 hours from symptom onset. However, a significant proportion of patients are referred to comprehensive stroke centers beyond this therapeutic time window. This study performed a pooled analysis of data from trials in which mechanical thrombectomy was performed beyond 6 hours from symptom onset. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials that compared mechanical thrombectomy with the best medical treatment beyond 6 hours for ischemic strokes due to ELVO and reported on between 1990 and April 2018. The intervention group comprised patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Statistical analysis was conducted while pooling data and analyzing fixed- or random-effects models as appropriate. RESULTS: Four trials involving 518 stroke patients met the eligibility criteria. There were 267 strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy, with a median time of 10.8 hours between when the patient was last known to be well to randomization. We observed a significant difference between groups concerning the rate of functional independence at 90 days from stroke, with an absolute difference of 27.5% (odds ratio=3.33, 95% CI=1.81–6.12, p < 0.001) and good recanalization (odds ratio=13.17, 95% CI=4.17–41.60, p < 0.001) favoring the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirms the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in selected ischemic stroke patients beyond 6 hours from symptom onset. The selection is mainly based on the limited core infarct detected by emergent assessment using neuroimaging techniques.
Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Random Allocation ; Stroke* ; Thrombectomy*