TELEMEDICINA TRANSFORMANDO O CUIDADO DO AVC NO PIAUÍ: UMA ANÁLISE ABRANGENTE DO PRIMEIRO ANO DE UMA INICIATIVA ESTADUAL

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of death in Brazil as of 2022, with significant disparities in care accessibility, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions like Piauí. This state, one of the poorest in Brazil, had not previously recorded the use of thrombolytic treatment in public hospitals before the launch of a pioneering stroke care program.Objective: This study assesses the impact of a telemedicine-based stroke care initiative launched in Piauí. It aims to bridge the gap in stroke care by facilitating prompt thrombolytic treatment and enhancing patient outcomes.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 868 patients treated from October 2022 to September 2023 under the state-wide stroke care program, which includes 6 Stroke Treatment Centers distributed around the state. Utilizing data from the JOIN telemedicine platform, the analysis focused on patient demographics, stroke types, treatment timelines, and outcomes.Results: The cohort included 868 patients, with a mean age of 67.2 years; 55.5% were male. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most prevalent conditions. The average onset-to-door time was 3.28 hours, door-to-CT time was 23 minutes, and door-to-needle time averaged 67.08 minutes. Thrombolysis was administered to 15.6% of all stroke cases, with 31.8% among those with ischemic strokes. Notably, these patients hailed from 100 cities, emphasizing the wide reach of the program across Piauí.Conclusion: The introduction of a telemedicine-based stroke care program in Piauí has significantly enhanced access to essential stroke treatments, demonstrating its effectiveness in overcoming healthcare disparities. The initiative's success underscores the potential of telemedicine as a scalable model for improving stroke care in regions with limited healthcare resources. Future efforts will focus on reducing treatment times and expanding stroke care infrastructure to ensure comprehensive patient care.