Presenter of 2 Presentations
5G-BASED TELESTROKE MODE OF INTRAVENOUS THROMBOLYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SICHUAN PROVINCE
5G-BASED TELESTROKE MODE OF INTRAVENOUS THROMBOLYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SICHUAN PROVINCE
Abstract
Background and Aims
Intravenous thrombolysis is still underutilized in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Sichuan Province. 5G-based telestroke mode, which remains to be widely implemented in China, is a promising strategy for addressing this issue, especially during the COVID-1) . The present study aimed to assess the effects of telemedicine for patients with acute ischemic stroke .
Methods
It's a multiple centers, 2-years observational study. All the data was collected data from 10 hospitals within the Sichuan Telestroke and Telethrombolysis Network. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with AIS and those relevant to intravenous thrombolysis were compared between the pre-telestroke and post-telestroke phases, and between the periods before and after declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results
A total of 11,449 admissions with a primary diagnosis of AIS were recorded. Prior to telestroke implementation, 6.7% of patients (n = 367) received intravenous thrombolysis, and the proportion increased to 7.4% (n = 443; p = 0.084) in the post-telestroke phase. The thrombolysis rate was 7.4% during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the latter half of the year when the viral spread was better controlled in China. The mean door-to-needle (DTN) time was significantly shorter after implementation of the telestroke network (63.76 ± 13.50 vs. 52.66 ± 25.49 min; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
5G-based telestroke mode is effective in improving the rate of intravenous thrombolysis among patients with AIS in Western China. Implementation of the telestroke network should be promoted, especially when access to care is affected by public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.