Abstract 16911: Socioeconomic Status as a Predictor of Post-Operative Mortality and Outcomes in Carotid Artery Stenting vs Carotid Endarterectomy

Abstract

Introduction: The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and adverse surgical outcomes represents an emerging area of concern. Furthermore, with regard to carotid stenosis, Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) has been demonstrated to pose a greater risk of postoperative complications, such as stroke, than Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA). This study aims to compare the impact of low SES on patients undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) versus Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried from 2010 to 2015. Patients who underwent CAS and CEA were identified. Patients of the highest and lowest median income quartiles by zip code were selected and compared based on demographics, hospital characteristics, and comorbidities (Charleston Comorbidity Index: CCI). Primary and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and postoperative stroke, respectively. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the effect of SES on in-hospital mortality. Results: 3,516 and 1,909 underwent CAS; 22,852 and 15,547 patients underwent CEA in the low and high SES groups, respectively. Low SES was a significant independent predictor of mortality (OR = 2.07 [1.25-3.53], p = 0.005) for patients who underwent a CEA, but not for those undergoing CAS. CCI and age were strong predictors of mortality for both procedures (CAS odds ratio (OR)(age) 1.05[1.00-1.10] p = 0.05, OR(CCI) 1.45[1.17-1.80] p < 0.001; CEA: OR(age) 1.03[1.01-1.06] p = 0.01, OR(CCI) 1.60[1.45-1.77] p < 0.001). Of secondary outcomes, stroke was strongly associated with CEA, while bleeding was with CAS. [Figure 1]. Conclusions: Low SES is a significant independent predictor of postoperative mortality in patients who underwent CEA, but not CAS. CEA is also associated with a higher incidence of stroke in these patients. These findings suggest that there may be a benefit to a minimally invasive approach (CAS) rather than the present standard of care (CEA), in selected low SES patients.