Key Performance Indicators

KPI 7a

Intravenous thrombolysis rate presented as % of all admitted patients with ischaemic stroke receiving IVT.

Current status

In 2023, the mean intravenous thrombolysis rate in Europe was 15.4% but the variation between countries is large and represents inequity in access to care in countries. Rates of thrombolysis are lower especially in Eastern Europe. Easy access to thrombolysis is depending on efficient organisation both in the hospital and in the pre-hospital sector and the seamless communication and collaboration between those, e.g. to allow for prenotification. Further, the stroke awareness in the population determines if the bystander recognises stroke and calls for an ambulance. Seven countries provide thrombolysis to at least 20% of the entire population with ischemic stroke and eleven countries are in the range from 15% to 19%.

This is a significant and positive development and observed in most countries. However, not all and focus at a European level should be to reduce this inequity between countries.