A National Evaluation of Door-to-Imaging Times among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients within the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND

Rapid brain imaging for ischemic stroke is important for patient outcomes. We sought to determine the proportion of ischemic stroke patients receiving brain imaging within the guideline-recommended 24 hours, and predictors of faster imaging among patients with acute symptoms.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Performance Measurement Stroke Special Project data. Of 3000 ischemic stroke patients, secondary samples included 649 presenting within 6 hours of onset, and 217 potentially tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-eligible patients (onset-to-arrival time <3 hours, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >2). Two linear regression models examined the association between door-to-imaging time and predictors among secondary samples, accounting for clustering within hospital.

RESULTS

Of the 3000 ischemic stroke patients, 97.1% had brain imaging within 24 hours. Among patients presenting within 6 hours of onset, median door-to-imaging time was 59 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 33-109). Predictors of faster door-to-imaging time included elevated arrival blood pressure and stroke center presentation. Among the potentially tPA-eligible patients, median door-to-imaging time was 52 minutes (IQR, 31-105); no significant predictors were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all ischemic stroke patients at VHA hospitals have door-to-imaging time within 24 hours. There remains room for improvement for timely brain imaging among patients with acute symptom onset.