Abstract
Background: Access to endovascular therapy (EVT) should be equitable to all eligible ischemic stroke patients presenting within the treatment time window. In the Florida Stroke Registry (FSR) we sought to determine sex, race/ethnic, hospital and regional disparities in the delivery of EVT. Methods: From January 2010 to January 2020, a total of 99,088 ischemic stroke cases within 24 hours of symptom onset were enrolled. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations evaluated independent predictors of EVT utilization. Results: A total of 7,812 patients received EVT (51.2% female, mean age 71.3 ± SD 14.6 years, 61.4% white, 17.4% black, 21.2% Hispanic). Compared to those not treated, EVT treated patients were more likely Hispanic (21.2% vs. 14.6%), arrived earlier to the hospital (median 120 min (IQR 292) vs. 170 min (IQR 446)), via EMS (94% vs. 66%), with more severe strokes (median NIHSS 15 (IQR11) vs. 5 (IQR 9)), to large hospitals (≥ 680 beds) (73.4% vs. 47.7%), in South Florida (50.8% vs. 38.2%). In multivariable analysis, female sex (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1-1.11), atrial fibrillation (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.45-1.7), higher NIHSS (> 6) (OR 6.19, 95% CI 5.11-7.51) and presenting to a high-volume hospital (OR 3.47, 95% CI 2.25-5.36) positively predicted EVT utilization, whereas older age (>80 years) (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.96), and black race (vs. white OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-1), were independently associated with lower use of EVT. Conclusions: In this large state-wide registry study, we found significant race-ethic and geographical disparities in delivery of EVT. Systems of care should address disparities in stroke treatment to improve access to EVT for all eligible stroke patients.
