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Acute Stroke Care and Thrombolytic Therapy Use in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon
Joint Authors
El Zahran, Tharwat
El Sayed, Mazen J.
Tamim, Hani
Source
Emergency Medicine International
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-6, 6 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-07-16
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
6
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Thrombolytic therapy (rt-PA) is approved for ischemic stroke presenting within 4.5 hours of symptoms onset.
The rate of utilization of rt-PA is not well described in developing countries.
Objectives.
Our study examined patient characteristics and outcomes in addition to barriers to rt-PA utilization in a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon.
Methods.
A retrospective chart review of all adult patients admitted to the emergency department during a one-year period (June 1st, 2009, to June 1st, 2010) with a final discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke was completed.
Descriptive analysis was done followed by a comparison of two groups (IV rt-PA and no IV rt-PA).
Results.
During the study period, 87 patients met the inclusion criteria and thus were included in the study.
The mean age was found to be 71.9 years (SD = 11.8).
Most patients arrived by private transport (85.1%).
Weakness and loss of speech were the most common presenting signs (56.3%).
Thirty-three patients (37.9%) presented within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Nine patients (10.3%, 95% CI (5.5–18.5)) received rt-PA.
The two groups (rt-PA versus non rt-PA) had similar outcomes (mortality, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, modified Rankin scale scores, and residual deficit at hospital discharge).
Conclusion.
In our setting, rt-PA utilization was higher than expected.
Delayed presentation was the main barrier to rt-PA administration.
Public education regarding stroke is needed to decrease time from symptoms onset to ED presentation and potentially improve outcomes further.
American Psychological Association (APA)
El Sayed, Mazen J.& El Zahran, Tharwat& Tamim, Hani. 2014. Acute Stroke Care and Thrombolytic Therapy Use in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon. Emergency Medicine International،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-472383
Modern Language Association (MLA)
El Sayed, Mazen J.…[et al.]. Acute Stroke Care and Thrombolytic Therapy Use in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon. Emergency Medicine International No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-472383
American Medical Association (AMA)
El Sayed, Mazen J.& El Zahran, Tharwat& Tamim, Hani. Acute Stroke Care and Thrombolytic Therapy Use in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon. Emergency Medicine International. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-472383
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-472383