Efficacy and safety of very early mobilisation within 24 h of stroke onset (AVERT): a randomised controlled trial

Background Early mobilisation after stroke is thought to contribute to the eff ects of stroke-unit care; however, the intervention is poorly defined and not underpinned by strong evidence. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of frequent, higher dose, very early mobilisation with usual care after stroke.MethodsWe did this parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial at 56 acute stroke units in five countries. Patients (aged ≥18 years) with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, first or recurrent, who met physiological criteriawere randomly assigned (1:1), via a web-based computer generated block randomisation procedure (block size of six), to receive usual stroke-unit care alone or very early mobilisation in addition to usual care. Treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was allowed. Randomisation was stratified by study site and stroke severity. Patients, outcome assessors, and investigators involved in trial and data management were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was a favourable outcome 3 months after stroke, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2. We did analysis on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12606000185561.FindingsBetween July 18, 2006, and Oct 16, 2014, we randomly assigned 2104 patients to receive either very early mobilisation (n=1054) or usual care (n=1050); 2083 (99%) patients were included in the 3 month follow-up assessment. 965 (92%) patients were mobilised within 24 h in the very early mobilisation group compared with 623 (59%) patients in the usual care group. Fewer patients in the very early mobilisation group had a favourable outcome than those in the usual care group (n=480 [46%] vs n=525 [50%]; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·73, 95% CI 0·59–0·90; p=0·004). 88 (8%) patients died in the very early mobilisation group compared with 72 (7%) patients in the usual care group (OR 1·34, 95% CI 0·93–1·93, p=0·113). 201 (19%) patients in the very early mobilisation group and 208 (20%) of those in the usual care group had a non-fatal serious adverse event, with no reduction in immobility-related complications with very early mobilisation.InterpretationFirst mobilisation took place within 24 h for most patients in this trial. The higher dose, very early mobilisation protocol was associated with a reduction in the odds of a favourable outcome at 3 months. Early mobilisation after stroke is recommended in many clinical practice guidelines worldwide, and our findings should affect clinical practice by refi ning present guidelines; however, clinical recommendations should be informed by future analyses of dose–response associations.

Depicting the interplay between organisational tiers in the use of a national quality registry to develop quality of care in Sweden

BACKGROUND: With a pending need to identify potential means to improved quality of care, national quality registries (NQRs) are identified as a promising route. Yet, there is limited evidence with regards to what hinders and facilitates the NQR innovation, what signifies the contexts in which NQRs are applied and drive quality improvement. Supposedly, barriers and facilitators to NQR-driven quality improvement may be found in the healthcare context, in the politico-administrative context, as well as with an NQR itself. In this study, we investigated the potential variation with regards to if and how an NQR was applied by decision-makers and users in regions and clinical settings. The aim was to depict the interplay between the clinical and the politico-administrative tiers in the use of NQRs to develop quality of care, examining an established registry on stroke care as a case study. METHODS: We interviewed 44 individuals representing the clinical and the politico-administrative settings of 4 out of 21 regions strategically chosen for including stroke units representing a variety of outcomes in the NQR on stroke (Riksstroke) and a variety of settings. The transcribed interviews were analysed by applying The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). RESULTS: In two regions, decision-makers and/or administrators had initiated healthcare process projects for stroke, engaging the health professionals in the local stroke units who contributed with, for example, local data from Riksstroke. The Riksstroke data was used for identifying improvement issues, for setting goals, and asserting that the stroke units achieved an equivalent standard of care and a certain level of quality of stroke care. Meanwhile, one region had more recently initiated such a project and the fourth region had no similar collaboration across tiers. Apart from these projects, there was limited joint communication across tiers and none that included all individuals and functions engaged in quality improvement with regards to stroke care. CONCLUSIONS: If NQRs are to provide for quality improvement and learning opportunities, advances must be made in the links between the structures and processes across all organisational tiers, including decision-makers, administrators and health professionals engaged in a particular healthcare process.

Risk factors for incident delirium in acute medical in-patients. A systematic review

Review question/objective
What risk factors are associated with incident delirium in adult patients during an acute medical hospitalisation?
More specifically, the objectives are to:
Identify and synthesise the best available evidence on the factors which are associated with delirium in adult patients admitted to acute medical facilities.

Types of participants
This review will consider studies that include adults (defined as 18 years and above) who were admitted to an acute medical setting (e.g. general medical units, stroke units, short stay units and neuromedical units) who were not delirious on admission (in order to differentiate incident delirium) but who developed incident delirium during hospitalisation

The review will exclude patients who were:
- critically ill and admitted to specialist unit e.g. ICU or CCU
- admitted for any type of surgery
- admitted for alcohol related reasons
- admitted to psychiatric facility
These patients will be excluded in order to determine factors that may be exclusive to the medical in patient setting.

Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest
This review will consider studies that evaluate any risk factors that may contribute to the development of delirium during in-patient hospitalisation. The review will look at factors present on admission (predisposing) and also factors that may occur during hospitalisation (precipitating) that contribute to incident delirium.

Types of outcomes
This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: the incidence of delirium as related to individual risk factors.

Acidente vascular cerebral e desporto : um estudo multicêntrico em Portugal

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Ganhos em independência funcional no doente com AVC

Introdução – O Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) representa a principal causa de dependência funcional da população adulta portuguesa. Conhecer os fatores que possam aumentar os ganhos em independência funcional é crucial para uma melhoria na abordagem destes doentes. Objetivo – Analisar os ganhos em independência funcional no doente que sofreu AVC considerando a diferença no Índice de Barthel entre a admissão e a alta e desde a alta até à primeira consulta. Métodos – Estudo de coorte retrospetivo, utilizando a base de dados hospitalar para doentes admitidos numa unidade de AVC entre 2010 e 2014. O Índice de Barthel (IB) na admissão, alta e primeira consulta após alta foi usado para calcular ganhos em independência funcional por dia entre a admissão e a alta (diferença entre IB na alta e na admissão dividindo pelo número de dias de internamento) e por semana entre a alta e a primeira consulta (diferença entre IB na primeira consulta e na alta dividindo pelo número de semanas entre a alta e a consulta). Com modelos de regressão linear avaliou-se a influência de fatores demográficos, clínicos e o destino após a alta nos ganhos em independência funcional por dia e por semana, obtendo-se coeficientes de regressão e respetivo intervalo de confiança a 95% (IC95%). Resultados – Nos 483 doentes estudados, a idade mediana é 76 anos, 59,0% são homens, 84,3% têm AVC isquémico e 30,6% foram para o domicílio após a alta. A independência funcional por dia aumentou nos anos mais recentes, particularmente em 2013 em que este parâmetro aumentou 1,164 pontos (com IC95%: 0,192 e 2,135; p=0,019) em comparação com 2010. Também o diagnóstico influenciou os ganhos diários em independência funcional, com LACI e PACI apresentando um aumento estatisticamente significativo de 1,372 pontos (IC95%: 0,324 e 2,421; p=0,010) e de 1,275 pontos (IC95%: 0,037 e 2,514; p=0,044), respetivamente, em comparação com POCI. Relativamente à independência funcional por semana, idades mais avançada e score elevado do IB na alta estão associados a menos ganhos por semana (p<0,001 e p=0,002). Também o destino após alta influencia os ganhos por semana, doentes encaminhados para unidades de convalescença apresentam ganhos de 1,289 pontos (IC95%: 0,661 e 1,917; p<0,001) em comparação com os doentes que foram para o domicílio. iv Conclusões – Houve melhoria na evolução funcional entre a admissão e a alta dos doentes em anos mais recentes sugerindo melhorias nas unidades de AVC. Atenção particular deve ser dada a estes doentes após a alta, particularmente nos de idade mais avançada.

Factors facilitating a national quality registry to aid clinical quality improvement : findings of a national survey

Objectives: While national quality registries (NQRs) are suggested to provide opportunities for systematic follow-up and learning opportunities, and thus clinical improvements, features in registries and contexts triggering such processes are not fully known. This study focuses on one of the world's largest stroke registries, the Swedish NQR Riksstroke, investigating what aspects of the registry and healthcare organisations facilitate or hinder the use of registry data in clinical quality improvement. Methods: Following particular qualitative studies, we performed a quantitative survey in an exploratory sequential design. The survey, including 50 items on context, processes and the registry, was sent to managers, physicians and nurses engaged in Riksstroke in all 72 Swedish stroke units. Altogether, 242 individuals were presented with the survey; 163 responded, representing all but two units. Data were analysed descriptively and through multiple linear regression. Results: A majority (88%) considered Riksstroke data to facilitate detection of stroke care improvement needs and acknowledged that their data motivated quality improvements (78%). The use of Riksstroke for quality improvement initiatives was associated (R2=0.76) with ‘Colleagues’ call for local results’ (p=<0.001), ‘Management Request of Registry data’ (p=<0.001), and it was said to be ‘Simple to explain the results to colleagues’ (p=0.02). Using stepwise regression, ‘Colleagues’ call for local results’ was identified as the most influential factor. Yet, while 73% reported that managers request registry data, only 39% reported that their colleagues call for the unit's Riksstroke results. Conclusions: While an NQR like Riksstroke demonstrates improvement needs and motivates stakeholders to make progress, local stroke care staff and managers need to engage to keep the momentum going in terms of applying registry data when planning, performing and evaluating quality initiatives.

Advance care planning in stroke: Influence of time on engagement in the process

Purpose Individuals who experience stroke have a higher likelihood of subsequent stroke events, making it imperative to plan for future medical care. In the event of a further serious health event, engaging in the process of advanced care planning (ACP) can help family members and health care professionals (HCPs) make medical decisions for individuals who have lost the capacity to do so. Few studies have explored the views and experiences of patients with stroke about discussing their wishes and preferences for future medical events, and the extent to which stroke HCPs engage in conversations around planning for such events. In this study, we sought to understand how the process of ACP unfolded between HCPs and patients post-stroke. Patients and methods Using grounded theory (GT) methodology, we engaged in direct observation of HCP and patient interactions on an acute stroke unit and two stroke rehabilitation units. Using semi-structured interviews, 14 patients and four HCPs were interviewed directly about the ACP process. Results We found that open and continual ACP conversations were not taking place, patients experienced an apparent lack of urgency to engage in ACP, and HCPs were uncomfortable initiating ACP conversations due to the sensitive nature of the topic. Conclusion In this study, we identified lack of engagement in ACP post-stroke, attributable to patient and HCP factors. This encourages us to look further into the process of ACP in order to develop open communication between the patient with stroke, their families, and stroke HCPs.

An interventional study to improve paramedic diagnosis of stroke

Objective: The aim of the Faster Access to Stroke Therapy (FAST) study was to determine the effect of educational intervention andthe use of a prehospital stroke tool on the paramedic diagnosis of stroke.

Methods: Paramedics in emergency medical service units servicing a university teaching hospital were divided into two groups: FAST study paramedics (n = 18) and non-FAST study paramedics (n = 43). The FAST study paramedics received stroke education and instruction in the use of a prehospital stroke assessment tool [Melbourne Ambulance Stroke Screen (MASS)] to assist in stroke diagnosis. Based on final hospital diagnosis, the sensitivities of paramedic stroke diagnosis in the two groups were compared for a 12-month period before andafter the intervention.

Results: The sensitivity for the FAST study paramedics in identifying stroke improved from 78% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63% to 88%) to 94% (95% CI: 86% to 98%) (p = 0.006) after receiving the stroke education session and with use of the MASS tool. There was no change in stroke diagnosis for the non-study paramedics 78% (95% CI: 71% to 84%) to 80% (95% CI: 72% to 87%) (p = 0.695). Prenotification of impending arrival to the emergency department was associated with higher-priority triage in the emergency department, and subsequent shorter times for door to medical review (15 min vs. 31 min, p < 0.001) and door to computed tomography (CT) scanning (94 min vs. 144 min, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Targeted stroke education and the use of a simple clinical tool can significantly improve the diagnostic sensitivity of stroke by paramedics in the prehospital setting. Accurate diagnosis combined with prenotification of the pending arrival of stroke patients will allow for the focused and timely application of resources for the management of acute stroke.

Stroke severity, early recovery and outcome are each related with clinical classification of stroke: data from the 'Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial (TAIST)

Introduction: Baseline severity and clinical stroke syndrome (Oxford Community Stroke Project, OCSP) classification are predictors of outcome in stroke. We used data from the ‘Tinzaparin in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Trial’ (TAIST) to assess the relationship between stroke severity, early recovery, outcome and OCSP syndrome. Methods: TAIST was a randomised controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of tinzaparin versus aspirin in 1,484 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Severity was measured as the Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale (SNSS) at baseline and days 4, 7 and 10, and baseline OCSP clinical classification recorded: total anterior circulation infarct (TACI), partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI), lacunar infarct (LACI) and posterior circulation infarction (POCI). Recovery was calculated as change in SNSS from baseline at day 4 and 10. The relationship between stroke syndrome and SNSS at days 4 and 10, and outcome (modified Rankin scale at 90 days) were assessed. Results: Stroke severity was significantly different between TACI (most severe) and LACI (mildest) at all four time points (p<0.001), with no difference between PACI and POCI. The largest change in SNSS score occurred between baseline and day 4; improvement was least in TACI (median 2 units), compared to other groups (median 3 units) (p<0.001). If SNSS did not improve by day 4, then early recovery and late functional outcome tended to be limited irrespective of clinical syndrome (SNSS, baseline: 31, day 10: 32; mRS, day 90: 4); patients who recovered early tended to continue to improve and had better functional outcome irrespective of syndrome (SNSS, baseline: 35, day 10: 50; mRS, day 90: 2). Conclusions: Although functional outcome is related to baseline clinical syndrome (best with LACI, worst with TACI), patients who improve early have a more favourable functional outcome, irrespective of their OCSP syndrome. Hence, patients with a TACI syndrome may still achieve a reasonable outcome if early recovery occurs.

Differences by gender in barthel index change after stroke: a retrospective study in the Northeast Portugal

Foreseeing functional recovery after stroke plays a crucial role in planning rehabilitation programs. Objectives: To assess differences over time in functional recovery assessed through the Barthel Index (BI) rate of change (BIRC) between admission and discharge in stroke patients. Methods: This is a retrospective hospital-based study of consecutive patients with acute stroke admitted to a hospital in the Northeast Portugal between 2010 and 2014. BIRC was computed as the difference between the admission and discharge BI scores divided by time in days between these assessments. General linear model analysis stratiied by gender was used to know whether there was an increase in BIRC during time period under study. Adjusted regression coeficients and respective 95% conidence interval (95%CI) were obtained. Results: From 483 patients included in this analysis 59% (n = 285) were male. Among women, mean BIRC was 1.8 (± 1.88) units/ day in 2010 and reached 3.7 (± 2.80) units/day in 2014. Among men the mean BIRC in 2010 and in 2014 were similar being 3.2 (± 3.19) and 3.1 (± 3.31) units/day, respectively. After adjustment for age, BI at admission, type and laterality of stroke we observed an increase in BIRC over time among women such that mean BIRC in 2014 was 0.82 (95%: 0.48; 3.69) units higher than the one observed in 2010. No such increase in BIRC over time was observed among men. Conclusions: We observed an improvement in functional recovery after stroke but only among women. Our results suggest differences over time in clinical practice toward rehabilitation of women after stroke.

The Behavior of Hydroxyl Units of Synthetic Goethite and its Dehydroxylated Product Hematite

The behavior of the hydroxyl units of synthetic goethite and its dehydroxylated product hematite was characterized using a combination of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) during the thermal transformation over a temperature range of 180-270 degrees C. Hematite was detected at temperatures above 200 degrees C by XRD while goethite was not observed above 230 degrees C. Five intense OH vibrations at 3212-3194, 1687-1674, 1643-1640, 888-884 and 800-798 cm(-1), and a H2O vibration at 3450-3445 cm(-1) were observed for goethite. The intensity of hydroxyl stretching and bending vibrations decreased with the extent of dehydroxylation of goethite. Infrared absorption bands clearly show the phase transformation between goethite and hematite: in particular. the migration of excess hydroxyl units from goethite to hematite. Two bands at 536-533 and 454-452 cm(-1) are the low wavenumber vibrations of Fe-O in the hematite structure. Band component analysis data of FTIR spectra support the fact that the hydroxyl units mainly affect the a plane in goethite and the equivalent c plane in hematite.