HEMS for Mechanical Thrombectomy

Tampere University Hospital

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Ischemic Stroke

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04834284

R20082

Details and patient eligibility

About

Elapsed time from the onset of stroke symptoms to the point of revascularization is the key determinant of the optimal outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Pharmacological treatment is less effective if the thrombus occluding the artery is big enough and mechanical thrombectomy is required to gain recanalization. Mechanical thrombectomy can be done only in comprehensive stroke centres. There are 5 comprehensive stroke centres in Finland which causes regional inequality when it comes to reaching mechanical thrombectomy in a reasonable time limit.

The aims of the study is to measure the effect of dispatching a helicopter emergency medical services unit on the treatment delays of a stroke patient with large vessel occlusion. The HEMS unit is dispatched to both: getting patient directly to the comprehensive stroke centre as well as to interfacility tranfers.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 110 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• all adult patients transferred for mechanical thrombectomy from the South Ostrobothnia Hospital District to the Tampere University Hospital

Exclusion criteria

• The neurologist on call at the Tampere University hospital deems the patient unable to benefit from mechanical thrombectomy

Trial design

60 participants in 2 patient groups

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)

Description:

Patients transported to the comprehensive stroke centre at least in some part by a HEMS unit

Ground Emergency Medical Services (GEMS)

Description:

Patients transported to the comprehensive stroke centre solely by an ambulance