The First 10 Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Lao People's Democratic Republic under Teleconsultation from Thailand

Background: Acute ischemic stroke patients in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) are unable to access the intravenous thrombolytic therapy using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) due to various reasons. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of thrombolytic therapy administration at Mittaphab Hospital, Lao PDR under the international telestroke consultation system from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand. Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients who presented at Mittaphab Hospital within 4.5 hours after the onset and received thrombolytic therapy between December 2016 and June 2017 were studied. An immediate real time teleconsultation with 24 hours availability between neurologists at Mittaphab hospital and the Chulalongkorn stroke team was performed in all cases for patient evaluation and decision for thrombolytic treatment. Results: There were 205 patients with acute stroke, 28 patients (14%) arrived at the hospital within 4.5 hours after the onset. Ten patients (5%) were eligible for intravenous rtPA. The mean duration from onset to hospital arrival was 122.50 minutes and the mean door to needle time was 108 minutes. The mean National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) before thrombolysis was 10. At 90 days, the mean NIHSS was 3 and the mean mRS was 2. Seventy percent of patients had good outcome (mRS ≤2). Only one patient developed massive cerebral infarction. None of the patient developed symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage or major bleedings. Conclusions: Telestroke consultation from Thailand can facilitate the thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke patients in Lao PDR.