Arrival by ambulance is associated with acute stroke intervention in young adults

Background and purpose: Timely intervention in young stroke patients minimizes long term disability. We hypothesized that arrival to the emergency department by ambulance would be associated with increased rate of stroke intervention with intravenous t-PA or intra arterial procedures. Methods: Charts of 77 patients aged 15-49 years diagnosed with ischemic stroke were analyzed. Data was collected on demographics, arrival to emergency department by ambulance, whether initial hospital at presentation was a Primary Stroke Center, and intervention by intravenous t-PA or intra arterial procedures. Data was analyzed by Fisher's exact test, and significant variables were included in multivariable analysis. Results: Arrival by ambulance was significantly associated with acute stroke intervention in young adults (p = 0.016). Gender and Primary Stroke Center certification did not make a difference in patients getting stroke intervention. Conclusion: Young adults with stroke symptoms were more likely to receive acute stroke intervention if they arrived by ambulance. Larger multi-center studies should address whether Primary Stroke Centers are more likely to provide either IV thrombolysis or interventional therapies in young patients with acute ischemic stroke.