scholarly journals Cost Effectiveness of Interhospital Transfer for Mechanical Thrombectomy of Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Author(s):  
Ludwig Schlemm ◽  
Matthias Endres ◽  
Christian H. Nolte

Background: Emergency interhospital transfer of patients with stroke with large vessel occlusion to a comprehensive stroke center for mechanical thrombectomy is resource-intensive and can be logistically challenging. Imaging markers may identify patients in whom intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) alone is likely to result in thrombus resolution, potentially rendering interhospital transfers unnecessary. Here, we investigate how predicted probabilities to achieve IVT-mediated recanalization affect cost-effectiveness estimates of interhospital transfer. Methods: We performed a health economic analysis comparing emergency interhospital transfer of patients with acute large vessel occlusion stroke after administration of IVT with a scenario in which patients also receive IVT but remain at the primary hospital. Results were stratified by clinical parameters, treatment delays, and the predicted probability to achieve IVT-mediated recanalization. Estimated 3-month outcomes were combined with a long-term probabilistic model to yield quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs. Uncertainty was quantified in probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results: Depending on input parameters, marginal costs of interhospital transfer ranged from USD −61 366 (cost saving) to USD +20 443 and additional QALYs gained from 0.1 to 3.0, yielding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio s of <USD 0 (dominant) to USD 310 000 per QALY. For some elderly patients with moderate or severe stroke symptoms treated in a remote primary stroke center, transfer was unlikely to be cost effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of USD 100 000 and 50 000 per QALY (20% and 1%, respectively) if the predicted probability to achieve IVT-related recanalization was high. On the other hand, in some younger patients, the analysis yielded incremental cost-effectiveness ratio estimates below USD 20 000 per QALY independent of the predicted recanalization rate. Conclusions: Predicted probabilities to achieve IVT-mediated recanalization significantly affect the cost-effectiveness of interhospital transfer for MT, in particular in elderly patients with moderate or severe stroke symptoms. However, high predicted recanalization rates alone do not generally imply that patients should not be considered for transfer.

Author(s):  
Chintan Rupareliya ◽  
Jacqueline A Frank ◽  
Benton Maglinger ◽  
Madison Sands ◽  
Christopher J McLouth ◽  
...  

Introduction : Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO) strokes are devastating ischemic vascular events that can cause severe and permanent impairment. The purpose of the current study is to investigate interactions among different proteins at the time of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) which correlates to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scores at discharge and at 90‐day follow‐up. Methods : The Blood And Clot Thrombectomy Registry And Collaboration (BACTRAC) study is a continually enrolling tissue bank (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03153683) and registry from stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Blood samples from systemic arterial blood (internal carotid artery) of twenty‐three patients were collected and sent to Olink Proteomics (Olink Proteomics, Boston, Massachusetts, USA) for analysis of protein expression of 92 cardiometabolic proteins and 92 inflammatory proteins. To determine which proteins had the most significant changes based on MOCA scoring, a series of 184 paired t‐tests were performed. Within each panel, proteins were then ranked based on the associated p values. Benjamini and Hochberg’s linear step‐up procedure was used to control the false discovery rate at 0.05. Pearson Correlation revealed proteins that were significantly related to the patients’ s discharge MOCA score as well as 90‐day follow‐up MOCA. Data and network analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, SAS v 9.4, and STRING V11. Common proteins between the discharge day miniMoCA and 90 days MOCA were identified. Network of these protein associations was created and biological processes correlating with these networks were identified. Results : Twenty‐two patients (15 with discharge day MiniMOCA and 7 with 90 days MOCA) were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 14 were females, and 9 were obese (BMI>30). 2 had minor stroke (NIHSS: 1–4), 13 had moderate stroke at admission (NIHSS: 5–15), 4 had moderate to severe stroke (NIHSS: 16–20), and 2 patients had severe stroke (NIHSS > 21). 19 patients had associated comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia). Mean last known normal to thrombectomy completion time was 621 + 333 minutes and mean infarct volume was 18,271 + 16,534 mm3. The 9 overlapping proteins from discharge to 90‐day follow up were later analyzed using interconnected STRING to determine association network and proteomic biological functions. Nine proteins include: DPP4, NCAM1, TGFBI, PRCP, APOM, TIE1, QPCT, MEGF9, and IGFBP3. Biological processes relating to the network of 9 proteins are depicted in table 1. Conclusions : This study uncovers network proteins that play a significant role in cognitive outcomes following ischemic stroke. This will allow future studies to develop predictive biomarkers for treatment and proteomic targets for adjunctive therapies to thrombectomy to improve our ability to treat cognitive dysfunction in ELVO stroke patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C. C. van Meenen ◽  
Frank Riedijk ◽  
Jeffrey Stolp ◽  
Bas van der Veen ◽  
Patricia H. A. Halkes ◽  
...  

Background: Patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke are often initially admitted to a primary stroke center (PSC) and subsequently transferred to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). This interhospital transfer delays initiation of EVT. To identify potential workflow improvements, we analyzed pre- and interhospital time metrics for patients with LVO stroke who were transferred from a PSC for EVT.Methods: We used data from the regional emergency medical services and our EVT registry. We included patients with LVO stroke who were transferred from three nearby PSCs for EVT (2014–2021). The time interval between first alarm and arrival at the CSC (call-to-CSC time) and other time metrics were calculated. We analyzed associations between various clinical and workflow-related factors and call-to-CSC time, using multivariable linear regression.Results: We included 198 patients with LVO stroke. Mean age was 70 years (±14.9), median baseline NIHSS was 14 (IQR: 9–18), 136/198 (69%) were treated with intravenous thrombolysis, and 135/198 (68%) underwent EVT. Median call-to-CSC time was 162 min (IQR: 137–190). In 133/155 (86%) cases, the ambulance for transfer to the CSC was dispatched with the highest level of urgency. This was associated with shorter call-to-CSC time (adjusted β [95% CI]: −27.6 min [−51.2 to −3.9]). No clinical characteristics were associated with call-to-CSC time.Conclusion: In patients transferred from a PSC for EVT, median call-to-CSC time was over 2.5 h. The highest level of urgency for dispatch of ambulances for EVT transfers should be used, as this clearly decreases time to treatment.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017155
Author(s):  
Alexander M Kollikowski ◽  
Franziska Cattus ◽  
Julia Haag ◽  
Jörn Feick ◽  
Alexander G März ◽  
...  

BackgroundEvidence of the consequences of different prehospital pathways before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in large vessel occlusion stroke is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the infarct extent and progression before and after MT in directly admitted (mothership) versus transferred (drip and ship) patients using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS).MethodsASPECTS of 535 consecutive large vessel occlusion stroke patients eligible for MT between 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for differences in the extent of baseline, post-referral, and post-recanalization infarction between the mothership and drip and ship pathways. Time intervals and transport distances of both pathways were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between infarct progression (baseline to post-recanalization ASPECTS decline), patient characteristics, and logistic key figures.ResultsASPECTS declined during transfer (9 (8–10) vs 7 (6-9), p<0.0001), resulting in lower ASPECTS at stroke center presentation (mothership 9 (7–10) vs drip and ship 7 (6–9), p<0.0001) and on follow-up imaging (mothership 7 (4–8) vs drip and ship 6 (3–7), p=0.001) compared with mothership patients. Infarct progression was significantly higher in transferred patients (points lost, mothership 2 (0–3) vs drip and ship 3 (2–6), p<0.0001). After multivariable adjustment, only interfacility transfer, preinterventional clinical stroke severity, the degree of angiographic recanalization, and the duration of the thrombectomy procedure remained predictors of infarct progression (R2=0.209, p<0.0001).ConclusionsInfarct progression and postinterventional infarct extent, as assessed by ASPECTS, varied between the drip and ship and mothership pathway, leading to more pronounced infarction in transferred patients. ASPECTS may serve as a radiological measure to monitor the benefit or harm of different prehospital pathways for MT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jacob R. Morey ◽  
Xiangnan Zhang ◽  
Kurt A. Yaeger ◽  
Emily Fiano ◽  
Naoum Fares Marayati ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background and Purpose:</i></b> Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the importance of time to endovascular therapy (EVT) in clinical outcomes in large vessel occlusion (LVO) acute ischemic stroke. Delays to treatment are particularly prevalent when patients require a transfer from hospitals without EVT capability onsite. A computer-aided triage system, Viz LVO, has the potential to streamline workflows. This platform includes an image viewer, a communication system, and an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that automatically identifies suspected LVO strokes on CTA imaging and rapidly triggers alerts. We hypothesize that the Viz application will decrease time-to-treatment, leading to improved clinical outcomes. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was assessed for patients who presented to a stroke center currently utilizing Viz LVO and underwent EVT following transfer for LVO stroke between July 2018 and March 2020. Time intervals and clinical outcomes were compared for 55 patients divided into pre- and post-Viz cohorts. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The median initial door-to-neuroendovascular team (NT) notification time interval was significantly faster (25.0 min [IQR = 12.0] vs. 40.0 min [IQR = 61.0]; <i>p</i> = 0.01) with less variation (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05) following Viz LVO implementation. The median initial door-to-skin puncture time interval was 25 min shorter in the post-Viz cohort, although this was not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.15). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Preliminary results have shown that Viz LVO implementation is associated with earlier, more consistent NT notification times. This application can serve as an early warning system and a failsafe to ensure that no LVO is left behind.


Author(s):  
D. Andrew Wilkinson ◽  
Sravanthi Koduri ◽  
Sharath Kumar Anand ◽  
Badih J. Daou ◽  
Vikram Sood ◽  
...  

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.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document