Outcomes of interfacility helicopter transportation in acute stroke care
Eyad Almallouhi, Sami Al Kasab, Michael Nahhas, Jillian Harvey, Juanita Caudill, Nancy Turner, Ellen Debenham, Dan‐Victor Giurgiutiu, Enrique C. Leira, Jeffrey A. Switzer, Christine A Holmstedt
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term functional outcome of interhospital transfer of patients with stroke with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) using Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). METHODS: Records of consecutive patients evaluated through 2 telestroke networks and transferred to thrombectomy-capable stroke centers between March 2017 and March 2018 were reviewed. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score was performed to address confounding factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with IPTW was used to determine whether HEMS were associated with good long-term functional outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≤ 2). RESULTS: = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: HEMS use was associated with better long-term functional outcome in patients with suspected LVO, independently of transportation time.