Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the leading causes of death in Chile. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is an effective treatment. Geographical barriers and lack of specialists limit its application. Telemedicine can overcome some of these pitfalls.
Aim: To describe the implementation and results of AIS treatment by telemedicine at the TeleStroke Unit (TeleACV) of the Southern Metropolitan Health Service, connected with seven hospitals in Chile.
Material and methods: Descriptive analysis of a prospective tele-thrombolysis data-base that covers from 2016 to 2018, with an emphasis in the last year.
Results: During the analyzed period, seven remote telemedicine centers were activated as far as 830 kilometers on a continental level from the reference center and up to 3,700 kilometers on an island level. There were 1,024 telemedicine consultations, 144 (14%) of them resulted in an IVT treatment. During 2018, 597 tele-consultations were made, thrombolysis was done in 115 (19%) patients aged 66+-13 years; 54 (46.6%) being female. The median admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was 8 (interquartile range (IQR) 5-14). The median door-to-needle time was 56.5 (IQR 44.8-73.3) minutes; 60% of patients were treated within 60 minutes. Eight patients (7%) were referred for a subsequent mechanical thrombectomy to a center of greater complexity. Symptomatic intra-cranial hemorrhages occurred in four treated patients (4%). One patient had a systemic bleeding.
Conclusions: The Telestroke Unit achieved a high rate of IVT and good door-to-needle times. This may help to overcome some of the geographic barriers and the specialist availability gap in our country.