Echocardiography in acute stroke patients: a nationwide analysis in departments with certified stroke units in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Echocardiography is highly relevant in patients with ischemic stroke or TIA. Utilization of routine echocardiographic examinations [transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal (TEE)] on stroke units remains however unknown. To representatively examine echocardiographic rates on stroke units in Germany and to evaluate structural factors that may influence the decision to conduct echocardiography.

Methods

A nationwide analysis was performed by using certification audit data of all primary and comprehensive stroke centers (pSC and cSC) in Germany.

Results

Structural and organizational requirements of 310 departments (cSCs: 42.6%) were extracted. Median TTE rate was 63.3% (IQR 39.3-80.8), median TEE rate 21.3% (IQR 16.4-29.5). A cardiological department on site was

SUBMITTER: Rizos T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9850591 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature