Baptist Health Lexington Recognized Among International Participants in Landmark Stroke Treatment Clinical Trial

LEXINGTON, Ky., July 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Baptist Health Lexington was the only Kentucky hospital to enroll patients in SWIFT PRIME, a major international clinical trial that has changed the standard of care for stroke patients. The hospital also was recognized for two time-related milestones both critically important to improving patient outcomes.

The SWIFT PRIME trial was conducted at 39 sites worldwide to determine if patients who experienced an ischemic stroke had better outcomes with the intravenous clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) alone versus tPA in conjunction with the use of a wire mesh stent device manufactured by Covidien. The trial examined the use of the Solitaire™ FR (flow restoration) Revascularization Device within six hours of symptoms onset.

The trial took place from December 2012 through November 2014.The findings revealed that patients who were treated with tPA plus the wire-mesh stent had the best chances for survival and return to normal function. Patients who received the tPA-stent combination were able to leave the hospital after just a few days as opposed to what has been standard of care, in which patients may spend several days in the intensive care unit and additional time at a rehabilitation facility.

"We were pleased to be part of a study that showed that aggressive care really does make a difference for stroke patients," said Dr. Christian Ramsey, principal investigator of the SWIFT PRIME trial at Baptist Health Lexington and a neurosurgeon with Baptist Health Medical Group Neurosurgical Associates.

Neurointerventional radiologist Dr. Curtis Given, Ramsey's colleague in Baptist Health Medical Group Neurosurgical Associates, also participated in the trial at Baptist Health Lexington  

SWIFT PRIME trial findings were reported April 17 in the online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine and were published in the journal's June 11 print edition.

When treating ischemic stroke, time is crucial. Baptist Health Lexington was recognized among the participants in the trial for two time-related milestones – the fastest median imaging-to-groin time and the fastest median groin-to-first deployment/initial opening of the vessel.

Imaging-to-groin time is defined as the time from when the patient is diagnosed with an ischemic stroke from results of a CT scan to the time the patient is rushed into the catheterization lab and the groin is punctured to facilitate treatment. The overall median imaging-to-groin time for participating facilities in the trial was 57 minutes, while the overall median time for imaging-to-groin at Baptist Health Lexington was only 22 minutes.

Groin-to-first deployment is defined as the time the groin is punctured in the catheterization lab and the stent device is deployed and is opening the blocked vessel. The overall median time for groin-to-first deployment for participating facilities in the trial was 24 minutes compared to the overall median time for groin-to-first deployment at Baptist Health Lexington, which was only 13 minutes.

"The impressive results seen from this trial wouldn't have been possible without the support of our hospital administration, the outstanding Emergency Department, Cath Lab and nursing staff, and my colleague Dr. Curtis Given," said Ramsey.

Stroke is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability in adults. Baptist Health Lexington has a history of participating in landmark clinical trials involving stroke and is dedicated to providing cutting-edge treatments to both prevent and treat strokes.

SOURCE Baptist Health Lexington