An international report on the adaptations of rapid transient ischaemic attack pathways during the Covid-19 pandemic

Journal article

Background

This report aims to describe changes that centres providing transient ischaemic attack (TIA) pathway services have made to stay operational in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods

An international cross-sectional description of the adaptions of TIA pathways between 30th March and 6th May 2020. Experience was reported from 18 centres with rapid TIA pathways in seven countries (Australia, France, UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Italy, Canada) from three continents.

Results

All pathways remained active (n = 18). Sixteen (89%) had TIA clinics. Six of these clinics (38%) continued to provide in-person assessment while the majority (63%) used telehealth exclusively. Of these, three reported PPE use and three did not. Five centres with clinics (31%) had adopted a different vascular imaging strategy.

Conclusion

The COVID pandemic has led TIA clinics around the world to adapt and move to the use of telemedicine for outpatient clinic review and modified investigation pathways. Despite the pandemic, all have remained operational.

Authors: Lim, A; Singhal, S; Lavallee, P; Amarenco, P; Rothwell, PM

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 11
• Article number: 105228
• Publication date: 2020-08-18
• Acceptance date: 2020-07-30
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105228
• EISSN: 1532-8511
• ISSN: 1052-3057
• Pmid: 33066882
• Language: English
• Keywords: coronavirus; transient; telemedicine; delivery of health care; FFR; COVID-19; ischemic attack