Clinical Report: Hospital Performance and Geographic Variations in Acute Stroke Reperfusion

Overview

This multicenter analysis evaluates the performance of acute ischemic stroke reperfusion care across 33 hospitals in Sichuan Province, China, identifying disparities in treatment quality and accessibility between tertiary and non-tertiary hospitals.

Background

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Timely reperfusion therapies, such as intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, are essential for improving patient outcomes. Disparities in access and quality of these treatments exist across different hospital types and regions.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• High and stable door-to-needle time and IVT rates across hospitals.
• Significant variation in PRT compliance and EVT accessibility.
• Tertiary A-level hospitals and certified stroke centers demonstrated better performance indicators.
• Transient spike in EVT-related mortality observed in non-tertiary hospitals in 2023.
• Cluster analysis revealed three distinct hospital-level performance patterns.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate a need for targeted improvements in reperfusion care, particularly in non-tertiary A-level and non-stroke center hospitals. Enhancing infrastructure and training can help address the identified disparities in stroke care.

Conclusion

This study highlights disparities in stroke care performance across different hospital types in Sichuan Province.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Neurology, 2026 -- Current Status and Advances in Comprehensive Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke in China: From Evidence-Based Guidelines to Clinical Practice
2. Frontiers in Neurology, 2026 -- Network analysis of rehabilitation needs and influencing factors in aged patients recovering from first-time stroke
3. Frontiers in Neurology, 2026 -- Impact of cerebral small vessel disease burden and systemic clinical phenotypes on short-term neurological outcomes after acute ischemic stroke
4. JMIR Medical Informatics, 2026 -- Prediction of Early Hospital Admission (≤24 Hours) After Stroke Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Multicenter Study From China
5. 2026 Guideline for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association - PubMed
6. Mothership Versus Drip-and-Ship Models in Acute Stroke Care: A Time-Sensitive Meta-Analysis - PubMed
7. 2026 Guideline for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association - PubMed
8. Mothership Versus Drip-and-Ship Models in Acute Stroke Care: A Time-Sensitive Meta-Analysis - PubMed
9. https://www.health.net.cn/zb_users/upload/2025/01/202501061736142322225198.pdf