| Title: |
Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study |
| Authors: |
Jala, Sheila; Bertmar, Carin; Fry, Margaret; Elliott, Rosalind; Day, Susan; O’Brien, Elizabeth; Priglinger-Coorey, Miriam; Krause, Martin |
| Source: |
Australasian Journal of Neuroscience ; volume 34, issue 1, page 29-38 ; ISSN 2208-6781 |
| Publisher Information: |
Walter de Gruyter GmbH |
| Publication Year: |
2024 |
| Description: |
Introduction Changes in intravenous thrombolysis treatment rates for acute ischaemic stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. We examined the differences in the provision of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischaemic stroke, two years prior to and two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data were compared between March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2020 (Pre-COVID-19) and March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2022 (COVID-19). Data collected included patients’ demographics, intravenous thrombolysis rates, and patient outcomes. Results There was an increase in ischaemic stroke patient admissions during the COVID-19 period (Pre-COVID-19 n=1041, vs COVID-19 n=1087). Yet, fewer stroke patients received intravenous thrombolysis (19.2% vs 13.9%, p15) (12.2% vs 4.8%, p=0.009) during the COVID-19 period. There was no significant difference in patients’ post-thrombolysis outcome (median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score = 1, p=0.136; discharge modified Rankin Scale score = 1, p=0.647; and mortality p=0.655). Conclusion This study showed that during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decline in the thrombolysis rates and delay in the administration of the intravenous thrombolysis treatment. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.21307/ajon-2024-003 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.21307/ajon-2024-003; https://www.sciendo.com/pdf/10.21307/ajon-2024-003 |
| Rights: |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.9F81BB53 |
| Database: |
BASE |