In:
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets, Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., Vol. 21, No. 3 ( 2021-09), p. 179-184
Abstract:
During Covid-19 pandemic, the Italian National Healthcare Service has
faced increasing pressure, especially in Northern Italy. Even in less-affected regions, such as Tuscany, the changes in the healthcare system to prevent Covid-19 spread resulted in difficulty in treating
time-dependent disorders like ischemic stroke rapidly. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the outcome after acute ischemic stroke treatments
during the Covid-19 spread in comparison with a similar period of the previous year in Siena-Hospital (Hub center in the South-East Tuscany). Method: We enrolled all patients admitted to Siena-Hospital for ischemic stroke and submitted
them to acute treatments (intravenous and/or mechanical thrombolysis) between February 21st and May 18th, 2020 (study group, n:38) and compared the results with ischemic strokes acutely treated
in a similar period in 2019 (control group, n:39). The modified Rankin scale score was assessed at 90 days to evaluate a 3-month clinical outcome. Conclusion: In the study group, the time from symptoms onset to hospital arrival and the door-to-groin
puncture time were significantly more prolonged than in the control group. In moderate-severe strokes, the 3-month mortality was significantly higher in the study group (31% vs. 6%; p=0.01),
and the number of patients with poor functional outcomes was significantly higher in the study group (73% vs. 44%; p=0.03). Results : During the lockdown period due to Covid-19 pandemic, patients with acute ischemic
stroke had a worse prognosis. These findings suggest the need to improve the health system organization to guarantee an appropriate treatment during the pandemic, including the patients that are
not affected by Covid-19.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1871-529X
DOI:
10.2174/1871529X21666210927094058
Language:
English
Publisher:
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Publication Date:
2021
SSG:
15,3
