Abstract P77: Acute Stroke Trends and Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Multi-System Hospital System in the Western US

Renee Ovando, Natalie Swearingen, Tamela Stuchiner, Leslie Corless, Crystal Ann Moreno, John Zurasky, Jason Tarpley, Radoslav Raychev, Elizabeth Baraban

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on stroke systems of care and outcomes within a large multi-hospital system in the Western US.

Methods: Retrospective data from 37 hospitals within a large multi-hospital stroke registry was analyzed. All patients with a confirmed discharge diagnosis of stroke or TIA during the pandemic (March and April 2020) were compared to cohorts during the same periods in 2018 and 2019. Analyzed factors included demographics, stroke mechanism, admission NIHSS, reperfusion therapy rates (IV TPA and EVT), reperfusion performance metrics (door-to-CT, door-to-needle, door-to-puncture, door-to-first pass), TICI score, discharge and 90-day mRS, discharge disposition, and length of stay. Analyses were conducted using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, or Person’s Chi-square test, as appropriate, adjusting for multiple comparisons.

Results: Among the 7,201 analyzed patients, 2,378 (33.0%) were admitted in 2018, 2,613 (36.3%) in 2019 and 2,210 (30.7%) in 2020. Fewer patients were hospitalized with TIA during the pandemic compared to 2018 and 2019 (23.6% vs 36.8% vs 39.6%, p

Conclusion: Fewer walk-in strokes and TIAs were hospitalized during the pandemic while an increased rate of thrombectomy procedures occurred compared to the pre-pandemic era. Despite anticipated delays in acute stroke care, our study demonstrates improvement in key triage and treatment times and similar outcomes.

Original languageUndefined/Unknown
JournalArticles, Abstracts, and Reports
StatePublished - Mar 11 2021

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