title: Efficacy of telemedicine for thrombolytic therapy in acute ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the benefits of telemedicine in the delivery of thrombolytic therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. We performed a meta-analysis using combinations of the following terms: telestroke, telemedicine, tissue plasminogen activator/t-PA, and acute ischemic stroke. The primary outcome was favorable outcome based on the modified Rankin score. Secondary outcomes were incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and overall mortality. We found no significant difference in favorable outcome between the telemedicine and control groups, and no significant difference was found between these groups in the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or overall mortality. Patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with intravenous thrombolysis had similar outcomes regardless of whether telemedicine was used or they were treated in-person at a medical facility. Telemedicine can be used to support hospitals with limited experience in administering thrombolytic therapy for stroke.
authors: The first Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Henan Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Management Engineering School, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors: Yun-kai
authors: YK
authors: Zhai
authors: The first Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Henan Engineering Laboratory for Digital Telemedicine Service, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors: Wei-jun
authors: WJ
authors: Zhu
authors: Henan Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Management Engineering School, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors: Hong-li
authors: HL
authors: Hou
authors: The first Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Henan Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Henan Engineering Laboratory for Digital Telemedicine Service, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors: Dong-xu
authors: DX
authors: Sun
authors: The first Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Henan Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China Henan Engineering Laboratory for Digital Telemedicine Service, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China zhaojie@zzu.edu.cn.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017216:Telemedicine; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents
keywords: meta-analysis; stroke; telemedicine; thrombolytic therapy