Changes in European Label and Guideline Adherence After Updated Recommendations for Stroke Thrombolysis Results From the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke Registry

Background- Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke is subject to label and guideline contraindications. Updated European guidelines in 2008/2009 recommended IVT in selected patients aged > 80 years and stroke onset-to-treatment time 3 to 4.5 hours, which the label still prohibited. Our aim was to compare contraindication nonadherence before and after the guideline update. Methods and Results- Data on IVT-treated patients with stroke at 232 European hospitals participating in the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke registry during both periods 2006 to 2007 (n=6354) and 2010 to 2011 (n=12 046). After the 2008/2009 guideline update, the proportion of patients nonadherent to label increased from 23.6% to 51.1% (P < 0.001). Specifically, nonadherence to onset-to-treatment time > 3 hours increased from 8.2% to 27.9% and IVT in patients aged > 80 years from 8.9% to 17.2% (both P < 0.001). Nonadherence also increased to the contraindications severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score > 25), onset-to-treatment time > 4.5 hours, blood pressure > 185/110 mm Hg, and ongoing oral anticoagulation (all P <= 0.001). Higher hospital IVT patient volumes were associated with higher nonadherence rates. Conclusions- After the European guideline update, new recommendations were promptly adopted and nonadherence to the unchanged label increased. Label contraindications should be updated.