Endovascular Therapy Use, Improved Outcomes on the Rise

NASHVILLE — The proportion of hospitals using endovascular therapy to treat acute ischemic stroke has increased from 2003 to 2013, and clinical outcomes from the treatment have also improved, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2015.

The researchers analyzed data from hospitals that participated in the American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines—Stroke program from April 2003 through July 2013. They focused on the number of hospitals that provided endovascular therapy, use of endovascular therapy in those hospitals, clinical outcomes, and hospital/patients characteristics associated with therapy use.

Out of the 1,087 participating hospitals, 454 provided endovascular therapy to at least one patient. On average, the proportion of hospitals providing the therapy increased by 1.6% each year from 2003 to 2012, with a modest drop from 28.9% in 2012 to 23.4% in 2013.

Over time, patient outcomes after the therapy improved. In-hospital mortality fell from 29.4% to 16.2%, rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage fell from 11% to 5%, and independent ambulation after discharge rose from 24.5% to 33%.

Hospitals were more likely to use endovascular therapy if they were larger, had an urban location, and were teaching hospitals. Patients were more likely to use the therapy if they were younger, transported via EMS, had no history of prior strike, and were racially white.

For more coverage of the International Stroke Conference 2015, go here.