I L Katzan1, C A Sila, A J Furlan. 1. Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. katzani@ccf.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known of neurologists' viewpoints regarding intravenous tPA use or institutional readiness to evaluate potential thrombolytic candidates. METHODS: Surveys were distributed at the Brain Matters Stroke Management Workshops held in 16 cities in the United States. RESULTS: Intravenous tPA was administered by 46.9% of responding neurologists. Almost 30% (29.9%) of surveyed neurologists were "very convinced" of its efficacy, whereas 61.6% were "very concerned" about the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Only half of the respondents believed their institutions could meet all NINDS-recommended stroke-evaluation time targets. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists' enthusiasm for the efficacy of intravenous tPA is tempered by their concern about intracranial hemorrhage. Institutional readiness for evaluating acute stroke patients is not optimized.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known of neurologists' viewpoints regarding intravenous tPA use or institutional readiness to evaluate potential thrombolytic candidates. METHODS: Surveys were distributed at the Brain Matters Stroke Management Workshops held in 16 cities in the United States. RESULTS: Intravenous tPA was administered by 46.9% of responding neurologists. Almost 30% (29.9%) of surveyed neurologists were "very convinced" of its efficacy, whereas 61.6% were "very concerned" about the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Only half of the respondents believed their institutions could meet all NINDS-recommended stroke-evaluation time targets. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists' enthusiasm for the efficacy of intravenous tPA is tempered by their concern about intracranial hemorrhage. Institutional readiness for evaluating acute strokepatients is not optimized.
Authors: Maaike Dirks; Louis W Niessen; Peter J Koudstaal; Cees L Franke; Robert J van Oostenbrugge; Diederik W J Dippel Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2007-03-01 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Amy C Mecozzi; Devin L Brown; Lynda D Lisabeth; William G Barsan; Robert Silbergleit; Susan L Hickenbottom; Phillip A Scott; Lewis B Morgenstern Journal: Neurocrit Care Date: 2007 Impact factor: 3.532