Abstract
Abstract only
Introduction:
The mobile stroke unit (MSTU) is an on-site pre-hospital treatment team that incorporates laboratory and CT scanner and reduces times to treatment for ischemic stroke thrombolysis. The impact of MSTU on treatment and outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unknown. We report our initial experience with ICH encountered on MSTU.
Hypothesis:
ICH can be quickly identified using MSTU. Hypertension and coagulopathy are common in ICH evaluated on MSTU.
Methods:
We identified ICH cases from the prospectively collected database encounters. Demographics, clinical features, MSTU imaging and repeat imaging characteristics were reviewed. Initial and follow-up hematoma volume was calculated by the ABC/2 method.
Results:
Of 295 encounters on MSTU from July 2014 to July 2015, 20 (6.7%) had intracranial hemorrhage, which comprised of 17 intracerebral, 1 subarachnoid and 2 subdural hemorrhages. Median time to CT diagnosis of ICH from emergency medical dispatch was 31 minutes (interquartile range (IQR) 28-36) and that from last known well was 118 minutes (IQR 39-301). Of the 17 ICH patients, 15 (88%) were hypertensive, with a mean systolic blood pressure of 178.1 and diastolic 91.0 mm Hg. Five (29.4%) individuals were found with INR>1.4, 1 of whom received 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate. Median NIH Stroke Scale was 11 (IQR 7.5-14.5), and median hematoma volume was 10.7 cc (IQR 4.3-30.8). One patient had significant hematoma expansion as defined by >6 cc or 33% relative volume increase.
Conclusions:
Over 5% of the cases evaluated in the unit presented with ICH, most of whom were hypertensive and had small hematoma volume. MSTU enables early diagnosis of ICH after activation of emergency system, can provide early treatment, and appropriate triage.