HEMS for Mechanical Thrombectomy

Elapsed time from the onset of stroke symptoms to the point of revascularization is the key determinant of the optimal outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Pharmacological treatment is less effective if the thrombus occluding the artery is big enough and mechanical thrombectomy is required to gain recanalization. Mechanical thrombectomy can be done only in comprehensive stroke centres. There are 5 comprehensive stroke centres in Finland which causes regional inequality when it comes to reaching mechanical thrombectomy in a reasonable time limit. The aims of the study is to measure the effect of dispatching a helicopter emergency medical services unit on the treatment delays of a stroke patient with large vessel occlusion. The HEMS unit is dispatched to both: getting patient directly to the comprehensive stroke centre as well as to interfacility tranfers.