Target: Stroke℠ Publications

Effect of the Use of Ambulance-Based Thrombolysis on Time to Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke(link opens in new window)

Martin Ebinger, MD; Benjamin Winter, MD; Matthias Wendt, MD; Joachim E. Weber, MD; Carolin Waldschmidt, MD; Michal Rozanski, MD; Alexander Kunz, MD; Peter Koch, MD; Philipp A. Kellner, MD; Daniel Gierhake, MD; Kersten Villringer, MD; Jochen B. Fiebach, MD; Ulrike Grittner, PhD; Andreas Hartmann, MD; Bruno-Marcel Mackert, MD; Matthias Endres, MD; Heinrich J. Audebert, MD

This study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), shows that Target: Stroke results in faster, appropriate treatment for stroke patients – ultimately translating to improved patients outcomes, including fewer deaths and less disability.

Initially presented at the International Stroke Conference in February 2013, the study found there was a significant increase in the number of eligible stroke patients receiving timely tPA treatment among Target: Stroke hospitals. The average door-to-needle time dropped from 77 minutes before the initiative was implemented in 2010 to 59 minutes by the end of the study period. More importantly, in-hospital deaths among treated patients dropped 2 percent, and more patients were able to recover at home rather than being transferred to a nursing or rehab facility.

Additionally, the study was recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association as one of the top advances in heart disease and stroke research in 2014 and was widely covered by national media, including USA Today(link opens in new window), Modern Medicine(link opens in new window) and Health Day News.(link opens in new window)

Improving Door-to-Needle Times in Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Design and Rationale for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Target: Stroke Initiative(link opens in new window)

Gregg C. Fonarow, MD; Eric E. Smith, MD, MPH; Jeffrey L. Saver, MD; Mathew J. Reeves, PhD; Adrian F. Hernandez, MD, MHS; Eric D. Peterson, MD, MPH; Ralph L. Sacco, MD; Lee H. Schwamm, MD

The article describes the design and rationale of Target: Stroke.

Learn more about other Quality Research Publications