Abstract WMP61: Drip-and-Ship versus Front-Door Strategy of Preceding Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients Receiving Endovascular Therapy; An Analysis From the Clinical Research Center for Stroke-5th division Registry in Korea

Background: The widespread use of drip-and-ship strategy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is confined by the safety concerns during transfer. However, recent development of endovascular therapy (EVT) might add the advantage of higher recanalization rate to this strategy. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of drip-and-ship versus conventional (front-door) strategy of preceding intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in large artery occlusion stroke patients receiving EVT. Method: From a prospective multicenter stroke registry (CRCS-5) database, we identified AIS patients treated with IVT and EVT within 8 h of onset and admitted to the 14 participating centers between 2008 and 2013. Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and 3-month mortality. Effectiveness outcome was a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis using generalized estimating equation to estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the drip-and-ship versus the front-door. Results: Of 16929 AIS patients registered during 64 months, 480 were treated with IVT and EVT within 8 h, and 61 (13%) were categorized into drip-and-ship group. Mean onset to IVT and IVT to EVT times were 117±51 and 187±69 minutes in drip-and-ship strategy and 127±59 and 75±38 minutes in front-door strategy, respectively. Forty-eight drip-and-ship cases were matched to 146 front-door cases by age and initial NIH stroke scale (NIHSS). Compared to the front-door cases, the drip-and-ship cases were more likely to be a habitual smoker, and treated with standard dose alteplase. sICH developed in 5.5% of the front-door strategy and 10.4% of the drip-and-ship strategy (p=0.146). After adjustment for age, initial NIHSS, pre-stroke mRS score, and variables with p<0.1 from bivariate analysis, the ORs (95% CIs) of the drip-and-ship strategy were 2.48 (0.73 - 8.44) for sICH, 0.95 (0.50 - 1.81) for shift to lower score of 3-month mRS, and 1.15 (0.37 - 3.62) for 3-month mortality. Conclusion: The drip-and-ship strategy did not improve functional recovery at 3 months, and the safety issues might still exist in patients receiving EVT. However, there is a possible underestimation of initial stroke severity in drip and ship patients.