Utility of point of care assessment of platelet reactivity (using the PFA-100®) to aid in diagnosis of stroke

Background Rapid and accurate diagnosis of patients presenting with symptoms of stroke is needed to facilitate the timely delivery of proven effective treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of this study was to determine whether early assessment of platelet reactivity in patients presenting with symptoms of AIS was associated with a diagnosis of AIS, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or stroke mimic. Methods This prospective study included patients with symptoms of AIS treated at an inner-city emergency department (ED). Blood samples were obtained and assayed for platelet reactivity (quantified by closure time). Patients were grouped by discharge diagnosis into: AIS, TIA, or stroke mimic. Binary logistic regression model was used to predict the association of closure time with the final diagnosis of 1) either AIS or TIA or, 2) stroke mimic. Results Of 114 patients enrolled, 32 were diagnosed with AIS, 33 TIA, and 49 were diagnosed as a stroke mimic. There was no significant difference in closure times among patients with a diagnosis of AIS or TIA versus stroke mimic. A history of migraines and history of seizures were independently associated with lower odds of an AIS or TIA diagnosis (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.94 and OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.88, respectively). Conclusion Closure time was not found to be a clinically reliable differentiator of patients with a diagnosis of AIS, TIA, or stroke mimic in the ED.