Telestroke Triage in Suspected Stroke Patients

The ASTRAL trial is a randomized study in patients with suspected stroke in the ambulance setting. The study evaluates whether prehospital telestroke consultation, in addition to standard care, can reduce unnecessary stroke code activations and improve patient triage, treatment efficiency, and resource use. Participants are randomized to telestroke triage plus standard care or standard care alone. Outcomes include unnecessary stroke code activation, patient allocation, treatment times, functional outcome, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Stroke code activation by ambulance professional during office hours * Symptom onset \< 24 hours or uncertain onset * The patient is deemed capable of understanding the study information and making a decision about participation/opt-out Exclusion Criteria: \- Age under 18 years