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May 8, 2026European Stroke Journal0 citationsOpen Access

Abstract Number: Esoc2026a1320 Results of Indication for Primary AIr Transport of Patients With Suspected Stroke Based on Telephone Verification of Fast+ Positivity

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JBJan BilíkDČDavid Černík

Key Points

  • The study examines the effectiveness of using telephone-assessed FAST+ positivity for air transport to a stroke center.
  • Retrospective analysis of 106 patients transported by air to a Comprehensive Stroke Center.
  • Inclusion criteria included primary air transport and assessment of FAST+ positivity via telephone.
  • Data gathered from emergency medical dispatchers based on layperson descriptions.
  • 68% of patients with FAST+ were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and 72% received recanalization treatment.
  • Primary air transport deemed justifiable in 91% of cases assessed for FAST positivity.
  • Other severe diagnoses were present in 21% of patients, showing diversity in critical conditions.

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Pre-hospital triage and the mode of transport to an intervention center remain highly discussed. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of primary air transport triage to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) based on telephone-assessed FAST+ positivity. Methods The primary inclusion criterion was primary air transport to a CSC. There were three indication criteria for air intervention: 1) Location of emergency service intervention was located outside the district of a city with a stroke center; 2) The patient met FAST+ positivity (or FAST positivity at the dispatcher's discretion), assessed by the emergency medical dispatcher solely based on a telephone description; 3) The patient was fully independent (pre-stroke functional status). Results A retrospective analysis included 106 consecutive patients. All patients were FAST-positive based on the dispatcher's telephone call with a layperson on-site. AIS was diagnosed in 68 patients (64%); of these, 72% underwent recanalization treatment (68% intravenous thrombolysis, 25% mechanical thrombectomy). Another 22 patients (21%) had other severe diagnoses (hemorrhagic stroke, aortic dissection, myocardial infarction). Based on the telephone dispatch, 86 patients were FAST+ positive, with AIS diagnosed in 72% of these cases. Within the FAST+ positive AIS group, 77% received recanalization therapy. Other significant diagnoses were present in 16% of patients. Primary air transport was found to be justified in 91% of cases. Conclusions Telephone-assisted identification of FAST+ positivity can serve as a highly effective indication criterion for air transport. However, simple FAST positivity combined with judicious dispatcher discretion showed only marginally lower efficacy. Conflict of interest Bilik Jan: nothing to disclose, Cernik David: nothing to disclose

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Cite This Study

Bilík et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69fd7f65bfa21ec5bbf07f71https://doi.org/10.1093/esj/aakag023.638
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