Abstract 9: Predictors of Poor Outcome in Patients Not Thrombolysed Due to Mild or Resolving Symptoms ("Too Good To Treat")

Introduction: A common reason for exclusion of patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting within the time frame for IV tPA is that they are “too good to treat” due to rapidly improving or mild symptoms. Several studies have reported poor outcomes in this group which motivated us to evaluate patient factors associated with poor outcomes. Methods: Using our institutional GWTG database, we analyzed 2,745 consecutive stroke admissions (01/2009 - 07/2013). Univariate and multivariable analysis were carried out to determine factors associated with poor outcome, defined as not being discharged home. Results: Of the total 2,745 patients, 306 (11.1%) presented within the window for IV tPA but did not receive the treatment due to symptoms too mild or rapidly improving as judged by the treating team. Of these 306, 64.1% were discharged home, 26.5% to IRF, 7.2% to SNF and 2.9% expired/hospice. Patients with poor outcome were older, more frequently Hispanic and presented with more vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, CAD, PAD and atrial fibrillation than good outcome patients. They also had higher median initial NIHSS. Patients in both groups had similar adherence to early antithrombotics, dysphagia screening and DVT prophylaxis. Poor outcome patients had higher rates of in-hospital complications and a longer hospital length of stay (Table 1). On univariate analysis, factors associated with poor outcome included age [OR 1.50 (1.30 - 1.70), p<0.0001], ethnicity [4.15 (1.25 - 13.81), p=0.020], diabetes mellitus [1.91 (1.11 - 3.29), p=0.019], atrial fibrillation [1.82 (1.02 - 3.25), p=0.042], PAD [9.02 (1.04 - 78.20), p=0.046], NIHSS [1.16 per point (1.06 - 1.27), p=0.001], in-hospital pneumonia (all cases had poor outcome) or UTI [7.04 (1.92 - 25.81), p=0.003]. In multivariable analysis, only age [1.50 (1.30 - 1.70), p<0.0001], ethnicity [6.61 (1.83 - 23.85), p=0.004], NIHSS [1.14 per point (1.04 - 1.26), p=0.007] and UTI [7.30 (1.72 - 31.00), p=0.007] remained significant. Conclusion: A substantial percentage of patients deemed “too good” for IV tPA were unable to be discharged home. Factors such as advanced age and higher NIHSS should be considered in tPA decision-making to optimize outcomes. Large, multi-center prospective studies are underway to study the predictors of poor outcomes in this group. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif