Was COVID-19 Associated With Worsening Inequities in Stroke Treatment and Outcomes?

Background COVID-19 stressed hospitals and may have disproportionately affected the stroke outcomes and treatment of Black and Hispanic individuals. Methods and Results This retrospective study used 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file data from between 2016 and 2020. We used interrupted time series analyses to examine whether the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disparities in stroke outcomes and reperfusion therapy. Among 1 142 560 hospitalizations for acute ischemic strokes, 90 912 (8.0%) were Hispanic individuals; 162 752 (14.2%) were non-Hispanic Black individuals; and 888 896 (77.8%) were non-Hispanic White individuals. The adjusted odds of mortality increased by 51% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.51 [95% CI, 1.34-1.69]; P<0.001), whereas the rates of nonhome discharges decreased by 11% (aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.82-0.96]; P=0.003) for patients hospitalized during weeks when the hospital's proportion of patients with COVID-19 was >30%. The overall rates of motor deficits (P=0.25) did not increase, and the rates of reperfusion therapy did not decrease as the weekly COVID-19 burden increased. Black patients had lower 30-day mortality (aOR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.69-0.72]; P<0.001) but higher rates of motor deficits (aOR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.12-1.16]; P<0.001) than White individuals. Hispanic patients had lower 30-day mortality and similar rates of motor deficits compared with White individuals. There was no differential increase in adverse outcomes or reduction in reperfusion therapy among Black and Hispanic individuals compared with White individuals as the weekly COVID-19 burden increased. Conclusions This national study of Medicare patients found no evidence that the hospital COVID-19 burden exacerbated disparities in treatment and outcomes for Black and Hispanic individuals admitted with an acute ischemic stroke.

Carotid Intimal Sarcoma Presenting as Large Vessel Occlusion and Diagnosed by Embolus Histopathology: Case Report.

Objective: The objective of this study was to present the clinical, histopathologic, and radiographic findings of a unique case of intimal sarcoma (IS) embolus presenting as a large vessel occlusion causing an ischemic stroke without a detectable primary tumor site. Methods: Extensive examinations, multimodal imaging, laboratory testing, and histopathologic analysis were used in evaluation. Results: We report the case of a patient who presented with acute embolic ischemic stroke and was found to have IS based on a histopathologic evaluation of his embolectomy specimen. Subsequent comprehensive imaging studies failed to detect a primary tumor site. Multidisciplinary interventions including a course of radiotherapy were performed. The patient died of recurrent multifocal strokes 92 days after diagnosis. Discussion: Meticulous histopathologic analysis should be conducted on cerebral embolectomy specimens. Histopathology may be useful in diagnosing IS.

Association of Time Elapsed Since Ischemic Stroke With Risk of Recurrent Stroke in Older Patients Undergoing Elective Nonneurologic, Noncardiac Surgery.

Importance: Perioperative strokes are a major cause of death and disability. There is limited information on which to base decisions for how long to delay elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery in patients with a history of stroke. Objective: To examine whether an association exists between the time elapsed since an ischemic stroke and the risk of recurrent stroke in older patients undergoing elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from the 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review files, including the Master Beneficiary Summary File, between 2011 and 2018 and included elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgeries in patients 66 years or older. Patients were excluded if they had more than 1 procedure during a 30-day period, were transferred from another hospital or facility, were missing information on race and ethnicity, were admitted in December 2018, or had tracheostomies or gastrostomies. Data were analyzed May 7 to October 23, 2021. Exposures: Time interval between a previous hospital admission for acute ischemic stroke and surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: Acute ischemic stroke during the index surgical admission or rehospitalization for stroke within 30 days of surgery, 30-day all-cause mortality, composite of stroke and mortality, and discharge to a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) to quantify the association between outcome and time since ischemic stroke. Results: The final cohort included 5 841 539 patients who underwent elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgeries (mean [SD] age, 74.1 [6.1] years; 3 371 329 [57.7%] women), of which 54 033 (0.9%) had a previous stroke. Patients with a stroke within 30 days before surgery had higher adjusted odds of perioperative stroke (AOR, 8.02; 95% CI, 6.37-10.10; P < .001) compared with patients without a previous stroke. The adjusted odds of stroke were not significantly different at an interval of 61 to 90 days between previous stroke and surgery (AOR, 5.01; 95% CI, 4.00-6.29; P < .001) compared with 181 to 360 days (AOR, 4.76; 95% CI, 4.26-5.32; P < .001). The adjusted odds of 30-day all-cause mortality were higher in patients who underwent surgery within 30 days of a previous stroke (AOR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.99-3.16; P < .001) compared with those without a history of stroke, and the AOR decreased to 1.49 (95% CI, 1.15-1.92; P < .001) at 61 to 90 days from previous stroke to surgery but did not decline significantly, even after an interval of 360 or more days. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that, among patients undergoing nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery, the risk of stroke and death leveled off when more than 90 days elapsed between a previous stroke and elective surgery. These findings suggest that the recent scientific statement by the American Heart Association to delay elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery for at least 6 months after a recent stroke may be too conservative.

Mobile Stroke Unit Operational Metrics: Institutional Experience, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The available literature on mobile stroke units (MSU) has focused on clinical outcomes, rather than operational performance. Our objective was to establish normalized metrics and to conduct a meta-analysis of the current literature on MSU performance. Methods: Our MSU in upstate New York serves 741,000 people. We present prospectively collected, retrospectively analyzed data from the inception of our MSU in October of 2018, through March of 2021. Rates of transportation/dispatch and MSU utilization were reported. We also performed a meta-analysis using MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library databases, calculating rates of tPA/dispatch, tPA-per-24-operational-hours ("per day"), mechanical thrombectomy (MT)/dispatch and MT/day. Results: Our MSU was dispatched 1,719 times in 606 days (8.5 dispatches/24-operational-hours) and transported 324 patients (18.8%) to the hospital. Intravenous tPA was administered in 64 patients (3.7% of dispatches) and the rate of tPA/day was 0.317 (95% CI 0.150-0.567). MT was performed in 24 patients (1.4% of dispatches) for a MT/day rate of 0.119 (95% CI 0.074-0.163). The MSU was in use for 38,742 minutes out of 290,760 total available minutes (13.3% utilization rate). Our meta-analysis included 14 articles. Eight studies were included in the analysis of tPA/dispatch (342/5,862) for a rate of 7.2% (95% CI 4.8-9.5%, I2 = 92%) and 11 were included in the analysis of tPA/day (1,858/4,961) for a rate of 0.358 (95% CI 0.215-0.502, I2 = 99%). Seven studies were included for MT/dispatch (102/5,335) for a rate of 2.0% (95% CI 1.2-2.8%, I2 = 67%) and MT/day (103/1,249) for a rate of 0.092 (95% CI 0.046-0.138, I2 = 91%). Conclusions: In this single institution retrospective study and meta-analysis, we outline the following operational metrics: tPA/dispatch, tPA/day, MT/dispatch, MT/day, and utilization rate. These metrics are useful for internal and external comparison for institutions with or considering developing mobile stroke programs.

Functional status at 30 and 90 days after mild ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study compares the global disability status of patients who had a mild ischaemic stroke at 30 and 90 days poststroke, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and identifies predictors of change in disability status between 30 and 90 days. METHODS: The study population included 1339 patients who had a ischaemic stroke enrolled in the Mild and Rapidly Improving Stroke Study with National Institutes of Health (NIH) stroke score 0-5 and mRS measurements at 30 and 90 days. Outcomes were (1) Improvement defined as having mRS >1 at 30 days and mRS 0-1 at 90 days OR mRS >2 at 30 days and mRS 0-2 at 90 days and (2) Worsening defined as an increase of ≥2 points or a worsening from mRS of 1 at 30 days to 2 at 90 days. Demographic and clinical characteristics at hospital arrival were abstracted from medical records, and regression models were used to identify predictors of functional improvement and decline from 30 to 90 days post-stroke. Significant predictors were mutually adjusted in multivariable models that also included age and stroke severity. RESULTS: Fifty-seven per cent of study participants had no change in mRS value from 30 to 90 days. Overall, there was moderate agreement in mRS between the two time points (weighted kappa=0.59 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.62)). However, worsening on the mRS was observed in 7.54% of the study population from 30 to 90 days, and 17.33% improved. Participants of older age (per year OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03), greater stroke severity (per NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) point at admission OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.34), and those with no alteplase treatment (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.69) were more likely to show functional decline after mutual adjustment. DISCUSSION: A quarter of all mild ischaemic stroke participants exhibited functional changes between 30 and 90 days, suggesting that the 30-day outcome may insufficiently represent long-term recovery in mild stroke and longer follow-up may be clinically necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02072681.

Frequency and Prognostic Significance of Clinical Fluctuations Before Hospital Arrival in Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical fluctuations in ischemic stroke symptoms are common, but fluctuations before hospital arrival have not been previously characterized. METHODS: A standardized qualitative assessment of fluctuations before hospital arrival was obtained in an observational study that enrolled patients with mild ischemic stroke symptoms (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 0-5) present on arrival to hospital within 4.5 hours of onset, in a subset of 100 hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke quality improvement program. The number of fluctuations, direction, and the overall improvement or worsening was recorded based on reports from the patient, family, or paramedics. Baseline NIHSS on arrival and at 72 hours (or discharge if before) and final diagnosis and stroke subtype were collected. Outcomes at 90 days included the modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, Stroke Impact Scale 16, and European Quality of Life. Prehospital fluctuations were examined in relation to hospital NIHSS change (admission to 72 hours or discharge) and 90-day outcomes. RESULTS: Among 1588 participants, prehospital fluctuations, consisting of improvement, worsening, or both were observed in 35.5%: 25.1% improved once, 5.3% worsened once, and 5.1% had more than 1 fluctuation. Those who improved were less likely and those who worsened were more likely to receive alteplase. Those who improved before hospital arrival had lower change in the hospital NIHSS than those who did not fluctuate. Better adjusted 90-day outcomes were noted in those with prehospital improvement compared to those without any fluctuations. CONCLUSIONS: Fluctuations in neurological symptoms and signs are common in the prehospital setting. Prehospital improvement was associated with better 90-day outcomes, controlling for admission NIHSS and alteplase treatment. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02072681.

Mobile stroke care expedites intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: The number of mobile stroke programmes has increased with evidence, showing they expedite intravenous thrombolysis. Outstanding questions include whether time savings extend to patients eligible for endovascular therapy and impact clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Our mobile stroke unit (MSU), based at an academic medical centre in upstate New York, launched in October 2018. We reviewed prospective observational data sets over 26 months to identify MSU and non-MSU emergency medical service (EMS) patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular thrombectomy for comparison of angiographic and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Over 568 days in service, the MSU was dispatched 1489 times (2.6/day) and transported 300 patients (20% of dispatches). Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered to 57 MSU patients and the average time from 911 call-to-tPA was 42.5 min (±9.2), while EMS transported 73 patients who received tPA at 99.4 min (±35.7) (p<0.001). Seven MSU patients (12%) received tPA from 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours since last known well and would likely have been outside the window with EMS care. Endovascular thrombectomy was performed on 21 MSU patients with an average 911 call-to-groin puncture time of 99.9 min (±18.1), while EMS transported 54 patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (ET) at 133.0 min (±37.0) (p=0.0002). There was no difference between MSU and traditional EMS in modified Rankin score at 90-day clinic follow-up for patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular thrombectomy, whether assessed as a dichotomous or ordinal variable. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile stroke care expedited both intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy. There is an ongoing need to show improved functional outcomes with MSU care.

Predictors of Outcomes in Patients With Mild Ischemic Stroke Symptoms: MaRISS.

Background and Purpose: Although most strokes present with mild symptoms, these have been poorly represented in clinical trials. The objective of this study is to describe multidimensional outcomes, identify predictors of worse outcomes, and explore the effect of thrombolysis in this population. Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 0 to 5, presenting within 4.5 hours from symptom onset. The primary outcome was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1; secondary outcomes included good outcomes in the Barthel Index, Stroke Impact Scale-16, and European Quality of Life. Multivariable models were created to determine predictors of outcomes and the effect of alteplase. Results: A total of 1765 participants were included from 100 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke participating hospitals (age, 65±14; 42% women; final diagnosis of ischemic stroke, 90%; transient ischemic attack, 10%; 57% received alteplase). At 90 days, 37% were disabled and 25% not independent. Worse outcomes were noted for older individuals, women, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics, Medicaid recipients, smokers, those with diabetes, atrial fibrillation, prior stroke, higher baseline NIHSS, visual field defects, and extremity weakness. Similar outcomes were noted for the alteplase-treated and untreated groups. Alteplase-treated patients were younger (64±13 versus 67±1.4) with higher NIHSS (2.9±1.4 versus 1.7±1.4). After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and baseline NIHSS, we did not identify an effect of alteplase on the primary outcome but did find an association with Stroke Impact Scale-16 in the restricted sample of baseline NIHSS score 3­5. Few symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages were recorded (<1%). Conclusions: A large proportion of stroke patients presenting with low NIHSS have a disabled outcome. Baseline predictors of worse outcomes are described. An effect of alteplase on outcomes was not identified in the overall cohort, but a suggestion of efficacy was noted in the NIHSS 3­5 subgroup. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02072681.

Immediate and Sustained Decrease in Smoking Urges After Acute Insular Cortex Damage.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking urges are fundamental aspects of nicotine dependence that contribute significantly to drug use and postquit relapse. Recent evidence has indicated that damage to the insular cortex disrupts smoking behaviors and claims to reduce urges associated with nicotine use, although tools that assess urge have yet to be used to validate these findings. We examined the effect of insular versus non-insular damage on urge using a well-accepted urge scale. METHODS: This 3-month observational prospective cohort study consisted of 156 current smokers hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke (38 with insular infarctions, 118 with non-insular infarctions). During hospitalization, the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU)-brief was assessed retrospectively based on experiences before the stroke (baseline, T0), prospectively immediately following the stroke (T1) and once more via telephone at 3-month follow-up (T2), with higher scores indicating greater urge. Bivariate statistics and multivariable linear regression were used to evaluate differences in QSU-brief scores, relative to baseline, between exposure groups, controlling for age, baseline dependence, stroke severity, use of nicotine replacement, and damage to other mesocorticolimbic regions. RESULTS: A greater reduction in QSU-brief score was seen in the insular group compared to the non-insular group from T0 to T1 (covariate-adjusted difference in means of -1.15, 95% CI: -1.85, -0.44) and similarly from T0 to T2 (covariate-adjusted difference in means of -0.93, 95% CI: -1.79, -0.07). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the potential role of the insula in regulating nicotine-induced urges and support the growing evidence of its novelty as a key target for smoking cessation interventions. IMPLICATIONS: Human lesioning studies that evaluate the insula's involvement in maintaining nicotine addiction make inferences of the insula's role in decreasing urge, but do not use validated instruments that directly assess urges. This study corroborates prior findings using the continuous Questionnaire of Smoking Urges to quantify changes in urge from before lesion onset to immediate and 3-month follow-up time points.

Damage to the insula leads to decreased nicotine withdrawal during abstinence.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current pharmacotherapies for tobacco dependence are generally well tolerated, but have relatively high rates of relapse. They target primarily the brains' mesocorticolimbic 'reward' pathway. However, recent evidence suggests that the insular cortex, a central cerebral hemispheric region historically overlooked in addiction models, may also play an important role in cognitive and emotional processes that facilitate drug use. We examined whether insular versus non-insular damage from ischemic stroke attenuated acute withdrawal from cigarette smoking and reduced the likelihood of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use during hospitalization. DESIGN: Data were derived from a longitudinal study with 3 months' follow-up, beginning June 2013 and ending May 2014. SETTING: Three acute care hospitals in Rochester, NY, USA. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred and fifty-six current smokers hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke (38 with insular infarctions and 118 with non-insular infarctions, assessed by three neuroradiologists). MEASUREMENTS: The Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) and Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) were administered during hospitalization (a period of forced abstinence) to assess the frequency and severity of withdrawal symptoms. NRT use was also assessed during hospitalization. FINDINGS: On average, smokers with insular damage had a lower WSWS score during admission [mean=5.89, standard deviation (SD)=4.72] compared with those with non-insular damage (mean=9.20, SD=4.71; P<0.001) [covariate-adjusted difference in means of -3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-4.97, -1.27]. A similar difference was also noted when the MNWS was used (P=0.02). Furthermore, participants with insular lesions appeared to be less likely to use NRT during admission compared with those with non-insular lesions [odds ratio (OR)=0.72, 95% CI=0.32, 1.64]. CONCLUSIONS: Current smokers with damage to their insular cortex brain region appear to experience fewer and less severe tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and appear to be less likely to require nicotine replacement therapy during hospitalization, compared with smokers with non-insular damage. These findings support the potential role of the insular cortex in regulating withdrawal during abstinence, a motivator responsible for the maintenance of addictive behaviors.

Smoking cessation behaviors three months following acute insular damage from stroke.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that the insular cortex may play an important role in cognitive and emotional processes that facilitate drug use but it is unclear whether changes to the insula would result in sustained abstinence. To better understand the role of the insula in maintaining abstinence, we examined quitting patterns in smokers with acute damage to their insula relative to other regions. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with 3month follow-up, beginning June 2013 and ending May 2014. SETTING: Three acute care hospitals in Rochester, NY. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred-fifty-six current smokers hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke; 38 with insular infarctions and 118 with non-insular infarctions, assessed by 3 neuroradiologists. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported smoking status (seven-day point prevalence and continuous abstinence), complete abstinence from any nicotine product, and disruption of smoking addiction (defined by criteria on smoking status, difficulty of quitting, and urge) were assessed at three months post-stroke. Time to relapse (in days) after discharge was also assessed. RESULTS: Insular damage was associated with increased odds of three-month continuous abstinence (OR=3.71, 95% CI: 1.59, 8.65) and complete cessation from any nicotine product (OR=2.72, 95% CI: 1.19, 6.22). Average time to relapse was longer in the insular-damaged group (17.50days, SD=19.82) relative to non-insular damage (10.42days, SD=18.49). Among quitters, insular damage was also associated with higher relative odds of experiencing a disruption of addiction compared to non-insular damage (adjusted OR=5.60, 95% CI: 1.52, 20.56). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the potential role of the insular cortex in maintaining smoking and nicotine abstinence. Further research is needed to establish whether the insula may be a novel target for smoking cessation interventions.

The cost-utility of CT angiography and conventional angiography for people presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal imaging strategy for ICH incorporating CTA or DSA with and without a NCCT risk stratification algorithm. METHODS: A Markov model included costs, outcomes, prevalence of a vascular lesion, and the sensitivity and specificity of a risk stratification algorithm from the literature. The four imaging strategies were: (a) CTA screening of the entire cohort; (b) CTA only in those where NCCT suggested a high or indeterminate likelihood of a lesion; (c) DSA screening of the entire cohort and (d) DSA only for those with a high or indeterminate suspicion of a lesion following NCCT. Branch d was the comparator. RESULTS: Age of the cohort and the probability of an underlying lesion influenced the choice of optimal imaging strategy. With a low suspicion for a lesion (<12%), branch (a) was the optimal strategy for a willingness-to-pay of $100,000/QALY. Branch (a) remained the optimal strategy in younger people (<35 years) with a risk below 15%. If the probability of a lesion was >15%, branch (b) became preferred strategy. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that branch (b) was the optimal choice 70-72% of the time over varying willingness-to-pay values. CONCLUSIONS: CTA has a clear role in the evaluation of people presenting with ICH, though the choice of CTA everyone or CTA using risk stratification depends on age and likelihood of finding a lesion.

Evidence-based treatment of carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid atheromatous disease is an important cause of stroke. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a well-established option for reducing the risk of subsequent stroke due to symptomatic stenosis (> 50%). With adequately low perioperative risk (< 3%) and sufficient life expectancy, CEA may be used for asymptomatic stenosis (> 60%). Recently, carotid angioplasty and stent placement (CAS) has emerged as an alternative revascularization technique. Trial design considerations are discussed in relation to trial results to provide an understanding of why some trials were considered positive whereas others were not. This review then addresses both the original randomized studies showing that CEA is superior to best medical management and the newer studies comparing the procedure to stent insertion in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations. Additionally, recent population-based studies show that improvements in best medical management may be lowering the stroke risk for asymptomatic stenosis. Finally, the choice of revascularization technique is discussed with respect to symptom status. Based on current evidence, CAS should remain limited to specific indications.

Transesophageal echocardiography screening in subjects with a first cerebrovascular ischemic event.

Our goal was to develop decision guides to predict the presence of a high-risk source of embolus and to predict a change in management following transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in subjects who present with a first cerebral ischemic event. We conducted a retrospective review of subjects age ≥18 years who underwent TEE after a first ischemic event and were admitted to our stroke service between 2004 and 2007 (n = 287). A high-risk source of embolus and a change in clinical management (including medication changes or subsequent testing) were analyzed as separate endpoints, using multivariate techniques and receiver operating characteristic curves. We found that 14.3% of the subjects had a high-risk source, and an additional 61.3% had a potential (or low-risk) source of embolus. Increasing age and no history of diabetes mellitus were independently associated with a high-risk source of embolus. TEE would be recommended for nondiabetic individuals age ≥66 years (sensitivity, 68%; specificity, 76%). The area under the curve (AUC) for detecting a high-risk source was 0.773. TEE results changed medications or clinical management in 30.3% of the subjects. Current smokers were less likely to undergo a change in management. The AUC was uninformative (0.56) for predicting changes in management. Subjects presenting with a first ischemic event age ≥66 years may benefit from TEE. Although changes in management occurred in at least 30% of our cohort, no factors that predicted a change in management better than chance alone could be identified.

Cost-effectiveness of multimodal CT for evaluating acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Multimodal CT, including noncontrast CT (NCCT), CT with contrast, CT angiography (CTA), and perfusion CT (CTP), is increasingly used in acute stroke patients to identify candidates for endovascular therapy. Our goal is to explore the cost-effectiveness of multimodal CT as a diagnostic test. METHODS: A Markov model compared multimodal CT to NCCT in a hypothetical cohort of nonhemorrhagic stroke patients presenting within 3 hours of symptom onset who were potential IV tPA candidates. Patients who failed to improve after IV tPA or in whom IV tPA was contraindicated were candidates for endovascular therapy. Direct costs (2008 USD), outcomes, and probabilities were obtained from the literature. RESULTS: For the 3-month time horizon, multimodal CT had lower costs (-$1,716), had greater quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs, 0.004), and was the cost-effective choice 100% of the time for a willingness-to-pay of $100,000/QALY (probabilistic sensitivity analysis). The number needed to screen with multimodal CT to avoid 1 diagnostic angiogram was 2. Over a lifetime, multimodal CT had lower costs (-$2,058), had greater QALYs (0.008), and was cost-effective, with a 90.1% likelihood, for a willingness-to-pay of $100,000/QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal CT appears to be a cost-saving screening tool over the short term. However, additional data regarding clinical outcomes following multimodal CT-guided intra-arterial treatment are needed before the long-term cost-effectiveness can be suitably addressed. This analysis can be incorporated into future discussions of multimodal CT as a diagnostic test for unselected patients, within and beyond the 3-hour IV tPA time window.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of carotid artery stenting compared with endarterectomy.

Endarterectomy and angioplasty with stenting have emerged as 2 alternative treatments for carotid artery stenosis. This study's objective was to determine the cost-effectiveness of carotid artery stenting (CAS) compared with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in symptomatic subjects who are suitable for either intervention. A Markov analysis of these 2 revascularization procedures was conducted using direct Medicare costs (2007 US$) and characteristics of a symptomatic 70-year-old cohort over a lifetime. In the base case analysis, CAS produced 8.97 quality-adjusted life-years, compared with 9.64 quality-adjusted life-years for CEA. The incremental cost of stenting was $17,700, and thus CAS was dominated by CEA. Sensitivity analyses show that the long-term probabilities of major stroke or mortality influenced the results. In the base case analysis, CEA for patients with symptomatic stenosis has a greater benefit than CAS, with lower direct costs. With 59% probability, CEA will be the optimal intervention when all of the model assumptions are varied simultaneously.

Hospital resource use following carotid endarterectomy in 2006: analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample.

To explore the relationships among patient age and length of stay (LOS), hospital costs, and discharge disposition following carotid endarterectomy (CEA), we identified discharge records from the 2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). The primary outcome was LOS from the surgical procedure to discharge. We examined LOS from procedure to discharge because the time from procedure to discharge may better reflect hospital stay due to the procedure itself for subjects with symptomatic carotid artery disease compared with the inclusion of days hospitalized for stroke recovery. Secondary endpoints included total LOS, discharge disposition, and cost of hospitalization. More than 90% of the 118,218 discharge records for CEA examined were for patients with asymptomatic carotid disease. The LOS from procedure to discharge and total LOS increased per decade, starting at age 70-79 years. Age per decade increased the likelihood of needed an LOS from procedure to discharge of >1 day. The same trend was seen for the likelihood of needing a >2-day postoperative stay; patients age ≥80 years required the longest postoperative LOS (odds ratio [OR]=1.45 for >1 day and 1.45 for >2 days; both P<.001). Total hospital costs averaged $10,965 for all discharges. For age dichotomized at 80 years, the average cost increased by $845. Age≥80 years also was independently associated with discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) (OR=2.4; 95% confidence interval=2.09-2.76). Hospital LOS and costs following CEA increased with increasing patient age. Morbidity after CEA should be discussed with patients in whom revascularization for asymptomatic disease is being considered.

Cost-effectiveness of treating resistant hypertension with an implantable carotid body stimulator.

The purposes of this study are to investigate the cost-effectiveness of an implantable carotid body stimulator (Rheos; CVRx, Inc, Minneapolis, MN) for treating resistant hypertension and determine the range of starting systolic blood pressure (SBP) values where the device remains cost-effective. A Markov model compared a 20-mm Hg drop in SBP from an initial level of 180 mm Hg with Rheos to failed medical management in a hypothetical 50-year-old cohort. Direct costs (2007$), utilities, and event rates for future myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and end-stage renal disease were modeled. Sensitivity analyses tested the assumptions in the model. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for Rheos was $64,400 per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) using Framingham-derived event probabilities. The ICER was <$100,000 per QALYs for SBPs > or =142 mm Hg. A probability of device removal of <1% per year or SBP reductions of > or =24 mm Hg were variables that decreased the ICER below $50,000 per QALY. For cohort characteristics similar to Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Blood Pressure-Lowering Arm (ASCOT-BPLA) participants, the ICER became $26,700 per QALY. Two-way sensitivity analyses demonstrated that lowering SBP 12 mm Hg from 220 mm Hg or 21 mm Hg from 140 mm Hg were required. Rheos may be cost-effective, with an ICER between $50,000 and $100,000 per QALYs. Cohort characteristics and efficacy are key to the cost-effectiveness of new therapies for resistant hypertension .