CONNECT: Coordinating Options for Neurovascular Patients Needing Electrophysiology Consults and Treatments.

Background And Purpose: Though Event Monitors (EM) and Implantable Loop Recorders (ILR) are prevalent in stroke workups, complex processes to obtain placement of these device might result in delays. Our aim was to determine if the CONNECT (Coordinating Options for Neurovascular patients Needing Electrophysiology Consults and Treatments) pathway could improve Stroke-to-Electrophysiology (EP) communications, increase EM and ILR device placements prior to discharge, shorten placement time, and preserve satisfaction.

Methods: We assessed device placements when an EP consult was obtained [Pre-CONNECT (5/1/21-4/30/22), CONNECT (5/1/22-4/30/23)] for patients with stroke.

Optimizing Hierarchical Condition Category-Risk Adjustment Factor Management in Population Health Using Rapid Process Improvement Methods.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides reimbursement through Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding. Medical systems strive toward risk adjustment optimization, often implementing costly chart review processes. Previously, our organization implementing countermeasures through workflows was complex and performed in silos.

Transcranial doppler (TCD) in predicting outcomes following successful mechanical thrombectomy of large vessel occlusions in anterior circulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a non-invasive, bedside tool that allows for real-time monitoring of the patient's hemodynamic status following mechanical thrombectomy (MT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the predictive value of TCD parameters following successful MT (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3).

Methods: In July 2024, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, to identify observational studies in which TCD parameters were measured within 48 hours of MT.

Telestroke Training: Considerations for Expansion of Vascular Neurology Program Requirements.

Telemedicine for stroke (Telestroke) has been a key component to efficient, widespread acute stroke care for many years. The expansion of reimbursement through the Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine Act and rapid deployment of telemedicine resources during the COVID-19 public health emergency have further expanded remote care, with practitioners of varying educational backgrounds, and experience providing acute stroke care via telemedicine (Telestroke). Some Telestroke practitioners have not had fellowship-level vascular neurology training and many are without training specific to virtual modalities.

Holo-Stroke: Assessing for Immersive Stroke Care Through Stroke Hologram Teleportation.

Augmented reality enables the wearer to see both their physical environment and virtual objects. Holograms could allow 3D video of providers to be transmitted to distant sites, allowing patients to interact with virtual providers as if they are in the same physical space. Our aim was to determine if Tele-Stroke augmented with Holo-Stroke, compared with Tele-Stroke alone, could improve satisfaction and perception of immersion for the patient.

INTERP: Interpreter requirements needed for tissue plasminogen activator evaluations and resulting performance: a retrospective review.

Aim: To examine the influence of interpreter service needs (IS) on rt-PA administration time metrics.

Methods: Retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from Comprehensive Stroke Center database (January 2011- April 1, 2021) and EMR.

Inclusion: Subjects for whom a "stroke code" was activated.

Multicenter comparison using two AI stroke CT perfusion software packages for determining thrombectomy eligibility.

Background: Stroke AI platforms assess infarcted core and potentially salvageable tissue (penumbra) to identify patients suitable for mechanical thrombectomy. Few studies have compared outputs of these platforms, and none have been multicenter or considered NIHSS or scanner/protocol differences. Our objective was to compare volume estimates and thrombectomy eligibility from two widely used CT perfusion (CTP) packages, Viz.

Statin treatment intensity and cerebral vasomotor reactivity response in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) is vital for regulating brain blood flow and maintaining neurological function. Impaired cerebral VMR is linked to a higher risk of stroke and poor post-stroke outcomes. This study explores the relationship between statin treatment intensity and VMR in patients with ischemic stroke.

Assessing Free-Living Postural Sway in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

Postural instability is associated with disease status and fall risk in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). However, assessments of postural instability, known as postural sway, leverage force platforms or wearable accelerometers, and are most often conducted in laboratory environments and are thus not broadly accessible. Remote measures of postural sway captured during daily life may provide a more accessible alterative, but their ability to capture disease status and fall risk has not yet been established.

(VISIION-S): Viz.ai Implementation of Stroke augmented Intelligence and communications platform to improve Indicators and Outcomes for a comprehensive stroke center and Network - Sustainability.

Objectives: As Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) strive to improve neuro-intervention (NIR) times, process improvements are put in place to streamline workflows. Our prior publication (VISIION) demonstrated improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs). The purpose VISIION-S was to analyze whether those results were sustainable.

Digital Phenotypes of Instability and Fatigue Derived From Daily Standing Transitions in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

Impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) can often be attributed to symptoms of motor instability and fatigue. Symptom monitoring and queued interventions often target these symptoms. Clinical metrics are currently limited to objective physician assessments or subjective patient reported measures.

Chest-Based Wearables and Individualized Distributions for Assessing Postural Sway in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

Typical assessments of balance impairment are subjective or require data from cumbersome and expensive force platforms. Researchers have utilized lower back (sacrum) accelerometers to enable more accessible, objective measurement of postural sway for use in balance assessment. However, new sensor patches are broadly being deployed on the chest for cardiac monitoring, opening a need to determine if measurements from these devices can similarly inform balance assessment.

Tele-Untethered: Telemedicine Without Waiting Rooms.

Background And Objectives: Telemedicine bridges the gap between care needs and provider availability. The value of telemedicine can be eclipsed by long wait times, especially if patients are stuck in virtual waiting rooms. UCSD Tele-Untethered allows patients to join visits without waiting in virtual waiting rooms.

The Sit-to-Stand Transition as a Biomarker for Impairment: Comparison of Instrumented 30-Second Chair Stand Test and Daily Life Transitions in Multiple Sclerosis.

Falls and mobility deficits are common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) across all levels of clinical disability. However, functional mobility observed in supervised settings may not reflect daily life which may impact assessments of fall risk and impairment in the clinic. To investigate this further, we compared the utility of sensor-based performance metrics from sit-stand transitions during daily life and a structured task to inform fall risk and impairment in PwMS.

Evaluation of unsupervised 30-second chair stand test performance assessed by wearable sensors to predict fall status in multiple sclerosis.

Background: One in two people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) will fall in a three-month period. Predicting which patients will fall remains a challenge for clinicians. Standardized functional assessments provide insight into balance deficits and fall risk but their use has been limited to supervised visits.

Transcranial Doppler to evaluate postreperfusion therapy following acute ischemic stroke: A literature review.

Cerebral vessel recanalization therapy, either intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy, is the main treatment that can significantly improve clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. The degree of recanalization and cerebral reperfusion of the ischemic penumbra are dependent on cerebral hemodynamics. Currently, the main imaging modalities to assess reperfusion are MRI and CT perfusion.

Telestroke Across the Continuum of Care: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

While use of telemedicine to guide emergent treatment of ischemic stroke is well established, the COVID-19 pandemic motivated the rapid expansion of care via telemedicine to provide consistent care while reducing patient and provider exposure and preserving personal protective equipment. Temporary changes in re-imbursement, inclusion of home office and patient home environments, and increased access to telehealth technologies by patients, health care staff and health care facilities were key to provide an environment for creative and consistent high-quality stroke care. The continuum of care via telestroke has broadened to include prehospital, inter-facility and intra-facility hospital-based services, stroke telerehabilitation, and ambulatory telestroke.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients who Refuse Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke - The San Diego Experience.

Purpose: Intravenous Thrombolysis (IV rt-PA) is administered in <10% of ischemic stroke patients. In rare cases, patients or caregivers refuse IV rt-PA treatment even when recommended by stroke practitioners. We sought to assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients who refuse IV rt-PA for acute ischemic stroke, and to compare outcomes between those who were treated with IV rt-PA and those who refused.

Medical Undistancing Through Telemedicine: A Model Enabling Rapid Telemedicine Deployment in an Academic Health Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The authors draw upon their experience with a successful, enterprise-level, telemedicine program implementation to present a "How To" paradigm for other academic health centers that wish to rapidly deploy such a program in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of social distancing as essential for decreasing viral transmission has made it challenging to provide medical care. Telemedicine has the potential to medically undistance health care providers while maintaining the quality of care delivered and fulfilling the goal of social distancing.

Wearables and Deep Learning Classify Fall Risk From Gait in Multiple Sclerosis.

Falls are a significant problem for persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Yet fall prevention interventions are not often prescribed until after a fall has been reported to a healthcare provider. While still nascent, objective fall risk assessments could help in prescribing preventative interventions.

Encephalopathy only stroke codes (EoSC) do not result in rt-PA treatments.

Background: Isolated mental status changes as a presenting sign (EoSC+), are not uncommon stroke code triggers. As stroke alerts, they still require the same intensive resources be applied. We previously showed that EoSC+ strokes (EoSC+ Stroke+) account for 0.

Metrics extracted from a single wearable sensor during sit-stand transitions relate to mobility impairment and fall risk in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Approximately half of the 2.3 million people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) will fall in any three-month period. Currently clinicians rely on self-report measures or simple functional assessments, administered at discrete time points, to assess fall risk.

A Stroke Care Model at an Academic, Comprehensive Stroke Center During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background And Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has required the adaptation of hyperacute stroke care (including stroke code pathways) and hospital stroke management. There remains a need to provide rapid and comprehensive assessment to acute stroke patients while reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure, protecting healthcare providers, and preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. While the COVID infection is typically not a primary cerebrovascular condition, the downstream effects of this pandemic force adjustments to stroke care pathways to maintain optimal stroke patient outcomes.