Is concurrent intravenous alteplase in patients undergoing endovascular treatment for large vessel occlusion stroke cost-effective even if the cost of alteplase is only US$1?

2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017817
Author(s):  
Johanna Maria Ospel ◽  
Rosalie McDonough ◽  
Wolfgang G Kunz ◽  
Mayank Goyal

BackgroundThe added value of intravenous (IV) alteplase in large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke over and beyond endovascular treatment (EVT) is controversial. We compared the long-term costs and cost-effectiveness of a direct-to-EVT paradigm in LVO stroke patients presenting directly to the mothership hospital to concurrent EVT and IV alteplase.MethodsWe used a decision model consisting of a short-run model to analyze costs and functional outcomes within 90 days after the index stroke and a long-run Markov state transition model (cycle length of 12 months) to estimate expected lifetime costs and outcomes. Outcome data were from the DIRECT-MT trial (NCT03469206). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and net monetary benefits were calculated and probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed. Analysis was performed from a healthcare perspective and a societal perspective using both a minimal assumed alteplase cost of US$1 and true alteplase cost.ResultsWhen assuming a minimal cost of alteplase of $1, EVT with concurrent IV alteplase resulted in incremental lifetime cost of $5664 (healthcare perspective)/$4804 (societal perspective) and a decrement of 0.25 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared with EVT only, indicating dominance of the EVT only approach. Net monetary benefits were consistently higher for EVT only compared with EVT with concurrent alteplase. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed increased costs without an increase in QALYs for EVT and concurrent IV alteplase compared with EVT only. Results were even more in favor of EVT when the true cost of alteplase was used for analysis.ConclusionEVT without concurrent alteplase is the preferred strategy from a health economic standpoint.

2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017017
Author(s):  
Henk van Voorst ◽  
Wolfgang G Kunz ◽  
Lucie A van den Berg ◽  
Manon Kappelhof ◽  
Floor M E Pinckaers ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe effectiveness of endovascular treatment (EVT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke severely depends on time to treatment. However, it remains unclear what the value of faster treatment is in the years after index stroke. The aim of this study was to quantify the value of faster EVT in terms of health and healthcare costs for the Dutch LVO stroke population.MethodsA Markov model was used to simulate 5-year follow-up functional outcome, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), of 69-year-old LVO patients. Post-treatment mRS was extracted from the MR CLEAN Registry (n=2892): costs per unit of time and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) per mRS sub-score were retrieved from follow-up data of the MR CLEAN trial (n=500). Net Monetary Benefit (NMB) at a willingness to pay of €80 000 per QALY was reported as primary outcome, and secondary outcome measures were days of disability-free life gained and costs.ResultsEVT administered 1 min faster resulted in a median NMB of €309 (IQR: 226;389), 1.3 days of additional disability-free life (IQR: 1.0;1.6), while cumulative costs remained largely unchanged (median: -€15, IQR: −65;33) over a 5-year follow-up period. As costs over the follow-up period remained stable while QALYs decreased with longer time to treatment, which this results in a near-linear decrease of NMB. Since patients with faster EVT lived longer, they incurred more healthcare costs.ConclusionOne-minute faster EVT increases QALYs while cumulative costs remain largely unaffected. Therefore, faster EVT provides better value of care at no extra healthcare costs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110068
Author(s):  
Yu Hang ◽  
Zhen Yu Jia ◽  
Lin Bo Zhao ◽  
Yue Zhou Cao ◽  
Huang Huang ◽  
...  

Background Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) were usually transferred from a primary stroke center (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular treatment (drip-and-ship [DS]), while driving the doctor from a CSC to a PSC to perform a procedure is an alternative strategy (drip-and-drive [DD]). Purpose To compare the efficacy and prognosis of the two strategies. Material and Methods From February 2017 to June 2019, 62 patients with LVO received endovascular treatment via the DS and DD models and were retrospectively analyzed from the stroke alliance based on our CSC. Primary endpoint was door-to-reperfusion (DTR) time. Secondary endpoints included puncture-to-recanalization (PTR) time, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) rates at the end of the procedure, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Results Forty-one patients received the DS strategy and 21 patients received the DD strategy. The DTR time was significantly longer in the DS group compared to the DD group (315.5 ± 83.8 min vs. 248.6 ± 80.0 min; P < 0.05), and PTR time was shorter (77.2 ± 35.9 min vs. 113.7 ± 69.7 min; P = 0.033) compared with the DD group. Successful recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in 89% (36/41) of patients in the DS group and 86% (18/21) in the DD group ( P = 1.000). Favorable functional outcomes (mRS 0–2) were observed in 49% (20/41) of patients in the DS group and 71% (15/21) in the DD group at 90 days ( P = 0.089). Conclusion Compared with the DS strategy, the DD strategy showed more effective and a trend of better clinical outcomes for AIS patients with LVO.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110125
Author(s):  
Mingming Zha ◽  
Qingwen Yang ◽  
Shuo Liu ◽  
Min Wu ◽  
Kangmo Huang ◽  
...  

Background There is an ongoing debate on the off-hour effect on endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). Aims This meta-analysis aimed to compare time metrics and clinical outcomes of acute LVO patients who presented/were treated during off-hour with those during working hours. Summary of review Structured searches on the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted through February 23rd, 2021. The primary outcomes were onset to door, door to imaging, door to puncture, puncture to recanalization, procedural time, successful recanalization, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), mortality in hospital, good prognosis (90-day modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2), and 90-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were imaging to puncture, onset to puncture, onset to recanalization, door to recanalization time, mRS 0-2 at discharge, and consecutive 90-day mRS score. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the outcomes were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogenicity and publication bias were analyzed. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted as appropriate. Nineteen studies published between 2014 and 2021 with a total of 14185 patients were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Patients in the off-hour group were significantly younger than those in the on-hour group and with comparable stroke severity and intravenous thrombolysis rate. The off-hour group had longer onset to door (WMD [95%CI], 12.83 [1.84-23.82] min), door to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 11.45 [5.93-16.97] min), imaging to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 10.39 [4.61-16.17] min), onset to puncture (WMD [95%CI], 25.30 [13.11-37.50] min), onset to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 25.16 [10.28-40.04] min), and door to recanalization (WMD [95%CI], 18.02 [10.01-26.03] min) time. Significantly lower successful recanalization rate (OR [95%CI], 0.85 [0.76-0.95]; P=0.004; I2=0%) was detected in the off-hour group. No significant difference was noted regarding SICH and prognosis. But a trend towards lower OR of good prognosis was witnessed in the off-hour group (OR [95%CI], 0.92 [0.84-1.01]; P=0.084; I2=0%). Conclusions Patients who presented/were treated during off-hour were associated with excessive delays before the initiation of EVT, lower successful reperfusion rate, and a trend towards worse prognosis when compared with working hours. Optimizing the workflows of EVT during off-hour is needed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 197140092110193
Author(s):  
Mohamad Abdalkader ◽  
Anurag Sahoo ◽  
Julie G Shulman ◽  
Elie Sader ◽  
Courtney Takahashi ◽  
...  

Background and purpose The diagnosis and management of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion are challenging. While endovascular treatment is established for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke, little is known about the course of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusions. We report the clinical course, radiological findings and management considerations of acute fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion stroke. Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients presenting with acute large vessel occlusion who underwent cerebral angiogram and/or mechanical thrombectomy between January 2015 and January 2021. Patients diagnosed with fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion were included. Demographic data, clinical presentation, imaging findings and management strategies were reviewed. Results Between January 2015 and January 2021, three patients with fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion were identified from 400 patients who underwent angiogram and/or mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke (0.75%). The first patient presented with concomitant fetal posterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery occlusions. Thrombectomy was performed with recanalisation of the fetal posterior cerebral artery but the patient died from malignant oedema. The second patient presented with isolated fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion. No endovascular intervention was performed and the patient was disabled from malignant posterior cerebral artery infarct. The third patient presented with carotid occlusion and was found to have fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion after internal carotid artery recanalisation. No further intervention was performed. The patient was left with residual contralateral homonymous hemianopia and mild left sided weakness. Conclusion Fetal posterior cerebral artery occlusion is a rare, but potentially disabling, cause of ischaemic stroke. Endovascular treatment is feasible. Further investigation is needed to compare the efficacy of medical versus endovascular management strategies.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiya Osanai

Introduction: In Japan, endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion should be performed by neurointerventionists. However, most hospitals in rural area , that offer treatment for cerebral vascular disease do not have access to a neurointerventionist; the rural areas are especially affected. Thus, Our University has offered support to institutions without a neurointerventionist, to perform endovascular treatment. The neurointerventionists stationed in other hospitals drive to retrieve the resultant clot since the acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion. We called this the “drive and retrieve system” method, and launched the prospective trial to evaluate the validity and efficacy of this method. Herein, we report the initial results of this trial. Methods: Nine institutes across our affiliated hospitals within a one-hour drive from Sapporo City took part in this trial. Three of these 9 institutes that have a full-time neurointerventionist were registered as the source. When an episode of acute ischemic stroke requiring intervention occurred in the other 6 hospitals, the available neurointerventionist provided treatment based on the drive and retrieve method. The neurointerventionists’ schedules was updated and distributed to all participating units twice a week, so that the supported hospitals could immediately make contact when required. We analysis the data of 44 cases in this trial from July 2015 to April 2016. Results: For 41 out of 44 cases (93%), Neurointerventionaists were able to respond immediately. The median time from door-to-puncture was 90 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 72-125). The median time from puncture to recanalization was also 76 min (IQR: 57.5-99.5). The recanalization rate (TICI 2b/3) was 77 %. mRS 0-2 was 39%. Conclusion: The drive and retrieve system has the potential to support rural medical institutes that do not have access to a full-time neurointerventionist.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxim Mokin ◽  
Tareq Kass-Hout ◽  
Omar Kass-Hout ◽  
Erol Veznedaroglu ◽  
Fadi Nahab ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion is associated with a poor prognosis. With no consensus about the best treatment option, various treatment modalities including conservative management, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, and endovascular approach are currently being used. Methods: Retrospective data including demographic information, baseline NIHSS score, site of occlusion (based on CTA, MRA or angiogram), type of treatment and clinical outcomes were collected from 4 centers in the United States during the period of 2010-2011. Results: A total of 423 were included in final analysis: 175 patients received conservative medical management, 54 patients received intravenous (IV) thrombolysis alone, and 194 patients had endovascular treatment (with or without prior IV tPA). Younger patients were more likely to receive endovascular treatment (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference among the sex and co-morbid conditions among the three groups. Proximal middle cerebral artery was the most commonly involved vessel. Strokes due to basilar artery occlusion or internal carotid artery occlusion were associated with worst outcomes in all three groups. Conservative medical management had the lowest rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage but also the highest mortality rates at 3 months. Patients who received endovascular treatment within the first 3 hrs had better outcome and lower mortality rates as compared to patients with intervention during 3-8 hours or beyond 8 hrs. Conclusions: Our study represents real world experience on the management and outcomes of acute ischemic strokes due to large vessel occlusion. Our results help understand natural history of strokes with large vessel occlusion, as well as modern trends in managing these patients with intravenous and intraarterial treatment approaches.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Kass-Hout ◽  
Tareq Kass-Hout ◽  
Maxim Mokin ◽  
David Orion ◽  
Shadi Jahshan ◽  
...  

Background: Large vessel occlusions with a high clot burden are less likely to improve with the FDA-approved IV strategy. Endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke symptom onset provides an effective alternative treatment in patients with large vessel occlusion. It is not clear if combination of IV thrombolysis and endovascular approach is superior to endovascular treatment alone. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated within the first 3 h stroke onset during the 2005-2010 period. First group received endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke onset. Second group consisted of patients who received IV thrombolysis within the first 3 h followed by endovascular therapy. We compared the following outcomes: revascularization rates, NIHSS score at discharge, mRS at discharge and 3months, symptomatic hemorrhage rates and mortality. Results: Among 104 patients identified, 42 received combined therapy, and 62 received endovascular therapy only. The two groups had similar demographic (age and sex distribution) and vascular risk factors distribution, as well as NIHSS score on admission (14.8±4.7 and 16.0±5.3; p=0.23). We found no difference in TIMI recanalization rates (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale score of 2 or 3) following combined or endovascular therapy alone (83.3% and 79.0%; p=0.59). A preferred outcome, defined as a mRS of 2 or less at 90 days also did not differ between the combined therapy group and the endovascular only group (37.5% and 34.5%; p=0.76). There was no difference in mortality rate (22.5% and 31.0%; p=0.36) and the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (9.5% and 8.1%; p=0.73). There was a significant difference in mean time from symptom onset to endovascular treatment between the combined group (227±88 min) and endovascular only group (125±40 min; p<0.0001).Patients with good TIMI recanalization rate of 2 or 3 showed a trend of having a better mRS at 90 days in both bridging (16.67% vs. 41.18%, p-value: 0.3813) and endovascular groups (25% vs. 34.78%, p-value: 0.7326).When analyzing the correlation of mRS at 90 days with the site of occlusion, patients in the bridging group showed a trend of a better outcome when the site of occlusion was ICA (33.3% vs 30%) and MCA (66.67% vs. 27.59%) and worse outcome when the site of occlusion was in the posterior circulation (26.32% vs. 50%), however, these results were not statistically significant (p-values: 0.1735& 0.5366). Conclusion: Combining IV thrombolysis and endovascular therapy achieves similar rates of clinical outcomes, revascularization rates, complications and mortality rates, when compared with endovascular treatment alone. The combined therapy, however, significantly delays initiation of endovascular treatment. A randomized prospective trial comparing both treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke is warranted


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2021-017956
Author(s):  
Dapeng Sun ◽  
Xu Tong ◽  
Xiaochuan Huo ◽  
Baixue Jia ◽  
Raynald ◽  
...  

BackgroundEarly neurological deterioration (END) may occur in some patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT). Despite several clear causes of END, such as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, failure of recanalization, and intraprocedure complications, a particular END, termed unexplained END (ENDunexplained), exists. We aimed to investigate the incidence, independent predictors, and clinical impact of ENDunexplained after EVT in patients with acute LVO.MethodsSubjects were selected from the ANGEL-ACT registry. ENDunexplained was defined as ≥4-point increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score between baseline and 24 hours after EVT, without the causes listed above. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent predictors of ENDunexplained, as well as the association between ENDunexplained and 90-day outcomes assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score.ResultsAmong the 1557 enrolled patients, the incidence of ENDunexplained was 4.3% (67/1557). Admission NIHSS ≤8 (OR=6.88, 95% CI 3.86 to 12.26, p<0.001), general anesthesia (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.81 to 5.48, p<0.001), admission neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >5 (OR=2.82, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.94, p<0.001), and number of EVT attempts >3 (OR=2.11, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.89, p=0.018) were associated independently with a high risk of ENDunexplained. Furthermore, patients with ENDunexplained were associated with a shift toward worse 90-day outcomes (mRS 5 vs 3, common OR=5.24, 95% CI 3.22 to 8.52, p<0.001).ConclusionsENDunexplained associated with poor 90day outcomes occurred in 4.3% of patients with acute LVO undergoing EVT. Several independent predictors of ENDunexplained were identified in this study, which should be considered in daily practice to improve acute LVO management.Clinical trial Registrationhttp://wwwclinicaltrialsgovNCT03370939.


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