Table 1. Baseline Demographics and Clinical Characteristics.
| Tracheostomy, No. (%) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Early (n = 186) | Standard (n = 194) | |
| Age, mean (SD), y | 59.3 (11.7) | 57.6 (12.0) |
| <50 | 36 (19.4) | 47 (24.2) |
| 50-70 | 118 (63.4) | 116 (59.8) |
| >70 | 32 (17.2) | 31 (16.0) |
| Sex | ||
| Women | 96 (51.6) | 93 (47.9) |
| Men | 90 (48.4) | 101 (52.1) |
| US center | 94 (50.5) | 95 (49.0) |
| Stroke type and severity | ||
| Prehospital mRS scorea | ||
| 0 | 160 (86.0) | 169 (87.1) |
| 1 | 26 (14.0) | 25 (12.9) |
| Admission, median (IQR) | ||
| NIHSSb | 21 (14-28) | 21 (14-28) |
| GCSc | 7 (4-9) | 6 (3-9) |
| SETscored | 14 (13-18) | 14 (13-18) |
| Diagnosis | ||
| Acute ischemic stroke | 49 (26.3) | 59 (30.4) |
| Hemorrhage | ||
| Intracerebral | 78 (41.9) | 78 (40.2) |
| Subarachnoid | 59 (31.7) | 57 (29.4) |
| Score, median (IQR) | ||
| NIHSS, acute ischemic stroke onlyb | 20 (15-24) | 19 (14-25) |
| ICH, intracerebral hemorrhage onlye | 3 (2-3) | 3 (2-3) |
| WFNS, subarachnoid hemorrhage onlyf | 5 (4-5) | 5 (4-5) |
| Tracheostomy elements | ||
| Performed | 177 (95.2) | 130 (67.0) |
| Percutaneous, No./total No. (%) | 158/177 (89.3) | 108/130 (83.1) |
| Time from intubation, median (IQR), d | 4 (3-4) | 11 (10-12) |
Abbreviations: GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; ICH, intracerebral hemorrhage; mRS, modified Rankin Scale; NIHSS, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; SET, stroke-related early tracheostomy; WFNS, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.
Scores on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) range from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating no symptoms; 1, no substantial disability despite symptoms; 2, slight disability; 3, moderate disability necessitating some help; 4, moderately severe disability without ability to walk unassisted; 5, severe disability requiring constant nursing care; and 6, death. Patients with a score of 0, 1, or 2 are considered functionally independent.
Range, 0 to 42 (higher scores, severe neurologic impairment).
Range, 3 to 15 points (lower scores, reduced consciousness).
A 15-item score of clinical and radiographic criteria that predicts the need for tracheostomy after stroke; range, 0 to 37 (≥10 estimates ≥2 weeks of ventilatory support).
Range, 0 to 6 (higher score, higher 30-day mortality).
Range, 1 to 5 (higher scores, higher mortality).