Grotta JC, Yamal JM, Parker SA, et al. - In patients with acute stroke who were eligible for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), mobile stroke units (MSUs; ambulances with staff and a computed tomographic scanner) were noted to be linked with better utility-weighted disability outcomes at 90 days when compared with emergency medical services (EMS).

• An observational, prospective, multicenter, alternating-week trial.

• The score on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating better outcomes according to a patient value system, derived from scores on the modified Rankin scale of 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating more disability) was the primary outcome.

• A total of 1,515 patients were enrolled; 1,047 of these were eligible to receive t-PA.

• MSU was involved in providing care to 617 patients and EMS was involved in providing care to 430 patients.

• In the MSU vs EMS group, the median time from onset of stroke to administration of t-PA was 72 vs 108 minutes, t-PA was administered in 97.1% vs 79.5% of the patients, the mean score on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale at 90 days was 0.72 vs 0.66, a score of 0 or 1 on the modified Rankin scale at 90 days was achieved by 55.0% vs 44.4%, mortality at 90 days was 8.9% vs 11.9%.