Pre-hospital causes for delayed arrival in acute ischemic stroke before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study at two stroke centers in Egypt.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the current study we investigated the causes of pre-hospital delay as this can compromise the patient's chance to receive thrombolytic therapy and thus impact stroke outcome.

Methods

We surveyed 254 patients regarding reasons for delayed and early arrival to hospital after acute ischemic stroke. The survey was performed over five months, spanning a period pre- and during COVID-19 (between December 7, 2019 and May 10, 2020).

Results

A total of 71.2% of patients arrived beyond four hours of onset of ischemic stroke. The commonest cause for delay pre-Covid-19 was receiving treatment in a non-stroke hospital, while that during COVID-19 was fear of infection and lock down issues. Not realizing the urgency of the condition and stroke during sleep were common i

SUBMITTER: Aref HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8279320 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature