Multiple prospective and retrospective studies have shown that MSUs deliver acute ischemic stroke treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV r-tPA) approximately 30 min faster than conventional care. The 90-day modified Rankin Scores for patients who received IV r-tPA on the MSU compared to conventional care were not statistically different in the PHANTOM-S study. Two German studies suggest that the MSU model is cost-effective by reducing disability and improving adjusted quality-life years post-stroke. The ongoing BEST-MSU trial will be the first multicenter, randomized controlled study that will shed light on MSUs' impact on long-term neurologic outcomes and cost-effectiveness. MSUs are effective in reducing treatment times in acute ischemic stroke without increasing adverse events. MSUs could potentially improve treatment times in large vessel occlusion and intracranial hemorrhage. Further studies are needed to assess functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Clinical trials are ongoing internationally.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- acute ischemic stroke
- type diabetes
- multiple sclerosis
- computed tomography
- metabolic syndrome
- randomized controlled trial
- low dose
- quality improvement
- atrial fibrillation
- double blind
- pain management
- magnetic resonance
- high dose
- combination therapy
- open label
- phase ii
- insulin resistance
- chronic pain
- affordable care act