Tactical training to revolutionize access to acute stroke treatment in regional Australia: results fromTACTICS Trial

TACTICS, a non-randomised intervention trial that aimed to optimsze workflow and implement specialized imaging, has shown promise in improving access to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients in regional and rural areas of Australia. EVT is a minimally invasive procedure that removes blood clots from blocked arteries in the brain, significantly improving outcomes for stroke patients.

“While EVT has revolutionized stroke treatment, access remains a challenge for patients outside major urban centers,” explains Dr. Delcourt, the investigator who presented the results of TACTICS today at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2024. “The TACTICS trial investigated a multi-faceted intervention designed to address this disparity.”

The TACTICS trial involved six regional clusters in Australia, each with a central hub that is able to provide EVT and associated spoke hospitals. Each cluster underwent a three-month pre-intervention period followed by a three-month intervention, and a three-month post- intervention period. During the intervention, hospitals were exposed to a combination of face-to-face, video and virtual reality-based education. Additionally, the hospitals were fitted and trained to use multimodal brain imaging to optimise workflow and pathways, improve diagnosis and aid earlier detection of candidates for EVT.