Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on stroke admissions and quality of stroke interventional treatment in Masovian Voivodeship

Abstract

Aim of study. To assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the pathway of stroke interventional services and major quality indicators of stroke reperfusion therapies in Masovian Voivodeship.

Materials and methods. An exploratory retrospective analysis was performed at two comprehensive stroke centres to assess changes in stroke care between the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (weeks 10–18 of 2020) and the same period in 2019.

Results. Of the 419 included stroke patients, 186 (44.4%) presented during the COVID-19 period. There was an increase in in-hospital delays for reperfusion therapies, and a significant decrease in the number of acute cerebrovascular accident admissions, predominantly related to a low number of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) admissions to hospital (-20.17%). The delays were shorter in the mothership paradigm than in the drip-and-ship paradigm of acute stroke care (onset-to-groin 293 vs. 232 min, p = 0.03). No differences in stroke aetiology, large-vessel occlusion frequency, or severe stroke admissions in the COVID-19 period were observed.

Conclusions and clinical implications. COVID-19’s emergence was correlated with a significant reduction in admissions to stroke departments, particularly for TIAs, and a prolonged delay in reperfusion stroke treatment, especially in the drip-and-ship paradigm. An educational campaign to raise public awareness of TIA and/or stroke symptoms and immediate reorganisation of stroke care during the COVID-19 era are necessary.