Agreement Among Stroke Faculty and Fellows in Treating Ischemic Stroke Patients With Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator and Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to determine agreement among vascular neurology fellows and faculty in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator and intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT).

METHODS

Patients were evaluated simultaneously by at least 2 vascular neurology. Agreement was determined using kappa (κ) and intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

In 60 patients, agreement was substantial for tissue-type plasminogen activator (κ=0.75 [95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.92]) and IAT (κ=0.63 [95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.96]), with no difference between fellow-fellow versus fellow-faculty. Intraclass correlation coefficient for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.97) and κ for Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score was 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.78). Rapidly improving or mild deficits caused disagreement for both tissue-type plasminogen activator and IAT, whereas interpretation of computed tomographic perfusion led to disagreement for IAT.

CONCLUSIONS

We found substantial agreement between vascular neurology fellows and faculty in treating with tissue-type plasminogen activator or IAT. Areas for improvement include recognition of stroke mimics, consensus on treating less severe strokes, and use/interpretation of imaging.