Characteristics of the Drip-and-Ship Paradigm for Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in South Korea.

Background Data on the drip-and-ship paradigm in Korea are limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of the drip-and-ship paradigm and the time delays and outcomes associated with the paradigm in Korea. Methods We used data from the Clinical Research Center for Stroke-5 registry between January 2011 and March 2014. Among patients treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), the use of the drip-and-ship paradigm was evaluated, and time delays and functional outcomes at 3 months were compared between patients treated with the paradigm and those treated directly at visits. Results Among 1843 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 244 patients (13.2%) were treated with the drip-and-ship paradigm. Subsequent endovascular recanalization therapy was used in 509 patients (27.6%). The median time from symptom onset to groin puncture was greater in patients treated with the paradigm than in those treated directly at visits (305 versus 200 minutes, P P P  = .041, respectively). Conclusions In Korea, the drip-and-ship paradigm was used in less than 15% of all patients treated with tPA. The use of the paradigm might cause an increase in the onset-to-groin puncture time. Additionally, clinical outcomes might be worse in patients treated with the paradigm than in those treated directly at visits.