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ABSTRACT: Aims
The objective of this descriptive study was to compare time to medical evaluation, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) use, and short-term outcomes in illicit drug users compared to non-users presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Study design
This is a retrospective study performed from our stroke registry using deidentified patient information.Place and duration of study
Tulane Medical Center Primary Stroke Center (PSC). Consecutive AIS patients presenting to our PSC from July 2008 to December of 2010 were identified from our prospectively collected stroke registry.Methodology
Patients were categorized as toxicology positive (TP) or toxicology negative (TN). We compared baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, tPA use, and short-term outcomes in TP and TN patients.Results
Two hundred and sixty-three patients met inclusion criteria (median age 63, 35.4% female, 66.5% Black). Nearly 40% of toxicology screens were positive. Stroke severity was similar with the median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 6 in both groups; however, a higher proportion of TN patients were treated with IV tPA (32.1% vs. 21.2%). After adjustment for time from last seen normal to emergency department arrival (LSN-to-ED arrival), the odds of being treated with tPA for TP patients were similar to TN patients (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.36-1.31, p=0.255). After adjustment for age, NIHSS, glucose, and tPA, the odds of in-hospital mortality in TP patients was 3 times that of TN patients (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.07-9.43, p=0.038).Conclusion
We found that the disparities observed in tPA use were attenuated after adjustment for time from LSN-to-ED arrival, suggesting an area for future intervention. Additionally, we found that TP patients may be at higher risk for in-hospital mortality. Further study on the role of substance abuse in time to ED arrival, tPA use, and outcome in AIS patients is warranted.
SUBMITTER: Marx MH
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4245033 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Marx Matthew H M MH Albright Karen C KC Shaban Amir A Boehme Amelia K AK Beasley T Mark TM Martin-Schild Sheryl S
International neuropsychiatric disease journal 20140501 3
<h4>Aims</h4>The objective of this descriptive study was to compare time to medical evaluation, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) use, and short-term outcomes in illicit drug users compared to non-users presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).<h4>Study design</h4>This is a retrospective study performed from our stroke registry using deidentified patient information.<h4>Place and duration of study</h4>Tulane Medical Center Primary Stroke Center (PSC). Consecutive AIS patients ...[more]