Stroke physician vs stroke neurologist - can anyone thrombolyse ? (P6.011)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of thrombolysis under standard clinical settings between subjects treated by a stroke neurologist versus those treated by a non neurologist stroke physician. BACKGROUND: In some regions, there are specific training programs for non neurologist stroke specialists, termed stroke physicians. Due to the large number of incident strokes, increasing numbers of non neurologist stroke physicians may be needed to staff stroke units. DESIGN/METHODS: Single centre, observational cohort study of subjects thrombolysed in a calendar year, stratified according to the physician type authorizing thrombolysis. Endpoints measured include proportion of subjects with intracranial hemorrhage, door to needle time, change in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and discharge destination. RESULTS: Forty-nine subjects with a mean age 76 ± 16 years underwent thrombolysis, 21 were under the care of a stroke neurologist and 28 by a non neurologist stroke physician. No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages were observed. There was no difference in terms door to needle time, proportion of individuals with hemorrhagic transformation, mortality or discharge destination between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the single centre, observational nature of this study, the equivalent outcomes between those thrombolysed by a stroke neurologist versus those thrombolysed by a stroke physician must be interpreted with caution pending further studies. Nevertheless, in the current setting, no signal for harm has been detected. Disclosure: Dr. Gaekwad has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bronca has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cheruvu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Davies has nothing to disclose. Dr. Agzarian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose.