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Open Access 25-03-2022 | Stroke | COVID-19

Did COVID-19 impact stroke services? A multicenter study

Authors: Hossam Shokri, Nevine El Nahas, Ahmed El Basiony, Thanh N. Nguyen, Mohamad Abdalkader, Piers Klein, Pablo M. Lavados, Verónica V. Olavarría, Pablo Amaya, Natalia Llanos-Leyton, Waldemar Brola, Lipowski Michał, Donoband Edson Dejesus Melgarejo Fariña, Analia Cardozo, Cesar David Caballero, Fatima Pedrozo, Aminur Rahman, Elyar Sadeghi Hokmabadi, Javad Jalili, Mehdi Farhoudi, Hany Aref, Tamer Roushdy

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 7/2022

Abstract

Background

It has been reported that acute stroke services were compromised during COVID-19 due to various pandemic-related issues. We aimed to investigate these changes by recruiting centers from different countries.

Methods

Eight countries participated in this cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study by providing data from their stroke data base. We compared 1 year before to 1 year during COVID-19 as regards onset to door (OTD), door to needle (DTN), door to groin (DTG), duration of hospital stay, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline, 24 h, and at discharge as well as modified Rankin score (mRS) on discharge and at 3 months follow-up.

Results

During the pandemic year, there was a reduction in the number of patients, median age was significantly lower, admission NIHSS was higher, hemorrhagic stroke increased, and OTD and DTG showed no difference, while DTN time was longer, rtPA administration was decreased, thrombectomy was more frequent, and hospital stay was shorter. mRS was less favorable on discharge and at 3 months.

Conclusion

COVID-19 showed variable effects on stroke services. Some were negatively impacted as the number of patients presenting to hospitals, DTN time, and stroke outcome, while others were marginally affected as the type of management.

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Title: Did COVID-19 impact stroke services? A multicenter study
Authors: Hossam Shokri
Nevine El Nahas
Ahmed El Basiony
Thanh N. Nguyen
Mohamad Abdalkader
Piers Klein
Pablo M. Lavados
Verónica V. Olavarría
Pablo Amaya
Natalia Llanos-Leyton
Waldemar Brola
Lipowski Michał
Donoband Edson Dejesus Melgarejo Fariña
Analia Cardozo
Cesar David Caballero
Fatima Pedrozo
Aminur Rahman
Elyar Sadeghi Hokmabadi
Javad Jalili
Mehdi Farhoudi
Hany Aref
Tamer Roushdy
Publication date: 25-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Stroke
COVID-19
Thrombectomy
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-06018-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Did COVID-19 impact stroke services? A multicenter study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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