Mothership and Drip and Drive Neurointerventional Models Are Better Than Drip and Ship Model in Bahrain Stroke Services

Objectives: In the new era of novel stroke management, there is increasing demand for neurointerventional expertise. In the current study, we compare the best available options for interventional stroke care models in Bahrain. Methods: Since February 8, 2018, the first stroke code was activated in King Hamad University Hospital in Bahrain; to date, 565 stroke codes were activated. Thirty-two patients received mechanical thrombectomy alone or with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV TPA); of them, there are patients referred from primary stroke centers where they received IV TPA in the sending hospital if they arrived within the thrombolysis time window following the Drip and Ship Model. Results: Before the initiation of the primary stroke centers 1 year after our program, the patients were sent directly to our institution in a Mothership Model, and now, since the start of the other primary stroke programs, there are some noticeable transfer delays, namely related to process of transfer, lack of workforce, and other factors. Conclusion: There is a strong need to develop either the interventional services in the primary stroke centers to develop into comprehensive centers hence a Mothership Model or better develop the Drip and Drive model to overcome delays and costly requirements of Drip and Ship Model.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
26. April 2021