Validation of Stroke Network of Wisconsin scale at Aurora Health Care System

Authors

Kessarin Panichpisal, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Maharaj Singh, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Adil ChohanFollow
Paul Vilar, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Reji Babygirija, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Mary L. Hook, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Sharon Matyas, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Nthaniel Kojis, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Rehan Sajjad, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Thomas Wolfe, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Amin B. Kassam, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Richard A. Rovin, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Panichpisal K, Singh M, Chohan A, et al. Validation of Stroke Network of Wisconsin Scale at Aurora Health Care System. J Vasc Interv Neurol. 2018;10(2):69-73.

Affiliations

Aurora Neuroscience Innovation Institute, Aurora Research Institute.

Abstract

Background: The Stroke Network of Wisconsin (SNOW) scale, previously called the Pomona scale, was developed to predict large-vessel occlusions (LVOs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The original study showed a high accuracy of this scale. We sought to externally validate the SNOW scale in an independent cohort.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and calculated the SNOW scale, the Vision Aphasia and Neglect Scale (VAN), the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity (CPSS), the Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS), and the Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity Scale (PASS) for all patients who were presented within 24 hours after onset at AHCS (14 hospitals) between January 2015 and December 2016. The predictive performance of all scales and several National Institute of Health Stroke Scale cutoffs (≥6) were determined and compared. LVO was defined by total occlusions involving the intracranial internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery (MCA; M1), or basilar arteries.

Results: Among 2183 AIS patients, 1381 had vascular imaging and were included in the analysis. LVO was detected in 169 (12%). A positive SNOW scale had comparable accuracy to predict LVO and showed a sensitivity of 0.80, specificity of 0.76, the positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.31, and negative predictive value of 0.96 for the detection of LVO versus CPSS ≥ 2 of 0.64, 0.87, 0.41, and 0.95. A positive SNOW scale had higher accuracy than VAN, LAMS, and PASS.

Conclusion: In our large stroke network cohort, the SNOW scale has promising sensitivity, specificity and accuracy to predict LVO. Future prospective studies in both prehospital and emergency room settings are warranted.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

30746016