2021 Volume 43 Issue 5 Pages 403-408
Background and Purpose: Successful recanalization and better clinical outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have been demonstrated in several randomized clinical trials. It is difficult to treat patients with AIS in underpopulated regions where medical resources are limited. We established a new system at our hospital for AIS under the Saitama Stroke Network (SSN). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of our system for treating patients with AIS employing mechanical thrombectomy. Materials and Methods: The influence of our system was analyzed in AIS patients treated using mechanical thrombectomy during the periods of two years before and after the SSN. The times from door to puncture, from puncture to recanalization, from door to recanalization, and the clinical outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 35 patients were treated between January 2016 and December 2017 (the former group), whereas 27 patients were treated between January 2018 and December 2019 (the latter group). The time from puncture to recanalization was significantly shortened in the latter group. The time from door to recanalization was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The number of patients treated for AIS by endovascular recanalization therapy was increased following the start of the SSN. Due to improvements in the in-hospital medical care system, the time from puncture to recanalization was significantly shortened. However, the time from door to puncture was not shortened. Making use of past clinical experience and educating the co-medical staff members are important for further improving our system.
