Inequities in the Use of Disease-Modifying Therapy Among Adults Living With Multiple Sclerosis in Urban and Rural Areas in Alberta, Canada.

Objectives: To compare disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use between people living with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) who resided in rural vs urban areas.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used population-level individually linked administrative data to identify pwMS on April 1, 2019 (index date), in Alberta, Canada. DMT use was compared between pwMS who resided in rural vs urban areas during a 1-year postindex period.

Impact of Clinical Trial Enrollment on Thrombolysis Workflow in a Mobile Stroke Unit: Results from the AcT Trial.

Background: The Edmonton-based mobile stroke unit (MSU), which transports patients to the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH), enrolled patients in the Intravenous Tenecteplase Compared with Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke (AcT) trial. We examined the feasibility of trial enrollment in MSU, its impact on acute stroke workflow metrics and functional outcomes at 90-120 days.

Methods: In this post hoc analysis, patients were divided into three groups based on enrollment site: MSU ( = 43), UAH ( = 273) and non-UAH ( = 1261).

Workflow and Short-Term Functional Outcomes in Simultaneous Acute Code Stroke Activation and Stroke Reperfusion Therapy.

The burden of simultaneous acute code stroke activation (ACSA) is not known. We aim to assess the effect of simultaneous ACSA on workflow metrics and home time at 90 days in patients undergoing reperfusion therapies in the emergency department. Simultaneous ACSA was defined as code activation within 60 min of the arrival of any patient receiving intravenous thrombolysis, within 150 min of the arrival of any patient receiving endovascular thrombectomy, within 45 min of the arrival of any patient receiving no reperfusion therapies (based on mean local door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times).

Utility of automated CT perfusion software in acute ischemic stroke with large and medium vessel occlusion.

Background: Early diagnosis of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute stroke often requires CT angiography (CTA). Automated CT perfusion (CTP) software, which identifies blood flow abnormalities, enhances LVO diagnosis and patient selection for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). This study evaluates the sensitivity of automated CTP images in detecting perfusion abnormalities in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and LVO or medium vessel occlusion (MeVO), compared to CTA.

Quantitative electroencephalography to assess post-stroke functional disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) is a non-invasive, reliable and easily accessible modality to assess neuronal activity. QEEG in acute stroke may predict short and long-term functional outcomes. The role of individual indices has not been studied in a meta-analysis.