Efficacy of recanalization therapy for ischemic stroke: multicenter hospital network experience

Purpose: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability with high mortality rate in the first year after the event. In Campania, mechanical thrombectomy treatment significantly increases in the last 3 years, as well as hospitals delivering acute stroke treatments. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how a full opening of our stroke network improves stroke management and stroked patients' survival in Campania.

Material and methods: In Federico II University Hospital of Naples acting as a HUB center of 7 peripheral SPOKE hospitals in regional territory, 68 patients with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated with NIHSS and m-RS clinical scores and neuroradiological ASPECT scores, from January 1 to December 31, 2021. At hospital discharge, NIHSS score and three months after m-RS score were re-assessed to evaluate the therapeutic effects.

Results: Forty-two of 68 patients (63%) admitted to our hub center had ischemic acute stroke at CT evaluation; 29 patients had ASPECT score > 7 (69%), and 6 a score < 7 (14%). At admission, NIHSS score mean value was 10.75, and m-RS score mean value was 0.74. At discharge, NIHSS score mean value was 7.09. After three months, m-RS score mean value was 0.74.

Discussion: The inter-company agreement between Federico II University and several peripheral hospitals allows an absolute and relative increase in endovascular mechanical thrombectomy and intravenous thrombolysis procedures, with a relative prevalence of mechanical thrombectomy. A regional implementation of the stroke multi-disciplinary care system is hardly needed to ensure the optimum treatment for the largest number of patients, improving patient's outcome.