Alotaibi NM, et al. – Authors performed this study to share their experience with a novel smartphone application developed to improve the timing metrics for endovascular treatment. Observations suggested that the use of smartphone applications could reduce treatment times for endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke. Further studies were recommended to confirm the findings.

Methods

• An encrypted smartphone application connecting all stroke team members was developed, to expedite conversations and provide synchronized real-time updates on the time window from stroke onset to imaging and to puncture.
• Authors evaluated the effects of the application on the timing of endovascular therapy with a secondary analysis of the single-center cohort.
• Imaging-to-puncture time was primarily assessed.
• They assessed the outcomes with non-parametric tests of statistical significance.

Results

• Criteria for analysis was met by 45 patients among 66 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who received endovascular therapy at the institution.
• Following implementation of the smartphone application, marked reduction in imaging-to-puncture time was observed (pre-application median time: 127 min, post-application: 69 min, p<0.001).
• The application use did not affect puncture-to-reperfusion time (42 min vs. 36 min).