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Observational Study
. 2020 Oct;51(10):3107-3111.
doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.031121. Epub 2020 Aug 5.

Blacks Are Less Likely to Present With Strokes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations From the Buckle of the Stroke Belt

Cori Cummings #  1 , Eyad Almallouhi #  1 , Sami Al Kasab  1   2 , Alejandro M Spiotta  2 , Christine A Holmstedt  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Blacks Are Less Likely to Present With Strokes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations From the Buckle of the Stroke Belt

Cori Cummings et al. Stroke. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Background and purpose: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on stroke systems has not been systematically evaluated. Our study aims to investigate trends in telestroke consults during the pandemic.

Methods: We did retrospective chart review of consecutive patients seen through a telestroke network in South Carolina from March 2019 to April 2020. We dichotomized patients to preCOVID-19 pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 pandemic (March to April 2020).

Results: A total of 5852 patients were evaluated during the study period, 613 (10.5%) were seen during the pandemic. The median number of weekly consults dropped from 112 to 77 during the pandemic, P=0.002. There was no difference in baseline features; however, Black patients were less likely to present with strokes during the pandemic (13.9% versus 29%, P≤0.002).

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant drop in telestroke volume. The impact seems to disproportionately affect Black patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; South Carolina; pandemic; stroke; thrombolysis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The number of monthly telestroke consults during study period. COVID-19 indicates coronavirus disease 2019.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The number of monthly thrombectomies during study period. COVID-19 indicates coronavirus disease 2019.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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