Abstract Body

Mobile stroke units (MSUs) substantially reduce reperfusion therapy times in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Phase III trials in the USA and Europe have shown that they improve clinical outcomes, compared with standard of care in emergency departments. MSUs are also an ideal platform for treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The Melbourne MSU has been operational since 2017. In a final diagnosis of stroke, approximately 15% of our cases have intracranial hemorrhages, predominantly ICH, smaller numbers of subarachnoid, subdural and extradural hemorrhages. Around 50% were treated with intravenous anti-hypertensive treatment. Patients were bypassed to a comprehensive stroke centre from the MSU in about one third of cases. Compared to patients with MSU-AIS, patients with ICH had faster onset to emergency call and onset to scene arrival times. We are conducting the STOP-MSU trial which is randomizing patients to tranexamic acid (TXA) versus placebo within 2 hours of the onset of ICH, testing the hypothesis that TXA will reduce ICH growth at 24 hours. This ongoing trial has recruited over 100 patients, about a third from the Melbourne MSU and the remainder from emergency departments in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Finland. MSUs can facilitate ultra-early ICH diagnosis, treatment and triage.