Abstract 56: Acute Stroke Reperfusion Treatment Rates at NIH StrokeNET Hospitals

Abstract

Background: In 2013, the NIH Stroke Trials Network (StrokeNET) was established to maximize efficiencies in stroke clinical trials. Successful recruitment in future trials was required for participating sites. A high volume of cases treated is a surrogate for the potential to recruit. Among Medicare-eligible acute ischemic stroke (AIS) cases, we estimated the IV rt-PA and endovascular embolectomy treatment rates at StrokeNET Regional Coordinating Centers and their partner hospitals compared with non-StrokeNET hospitals in the United States (US). Methods: We used demographics and IV rt-PA and embolectomy rates in the 2013 Medicare Provider and Analysis Review (MEDPAR) dataset. ICD-9 codes 433.xx, 434.xx and 436 identified AIS cases. ICD-9 code 99.10 defined rt-PA treatment and ICD-9 code 39.74 defined embolectomy. Demographics and treatment rates at StrokeNET and non-StrokeNET sites were compared using t-test for proportions and Chi-square test for categorical variables as appropriate. Results: Of 386,157 AIS primary diagnosis discharges, 5.1% received IV rt-PA and 0.8% had embolectomy (Table). By June 6, 2014, StrokeNET comprised 247 acute care hospitals that discharged 48,946 (13%) out of 386,157 AIS cases. rt-PA (7.4% vs 4.8%) and embolectomy (1.9% vs 0.6%) treatment rates were higher at StrokeNET hospitals. In 2013, 36% of StrokeNET hospitals treated more than 20 AIS cases with rt-PA or embolectomy compared with 6% of non-StrokeNET hospitals (P<0.0001).Conclusions StrokeNET hospitals treat more AIS cases with acute reperfusion therapies. Thus, StrokeNET could successfully recruit in acute reperfusion clinical trials depending on study size, capture of eligible patients and the number of competing trials. We likely underestimated treatment rates due to not accounting for drip-and-ship and non-Medicare cases. To further enhance enrollments in large acute reperfusion phase 3 trials, partnership with high volume non-StrokeNET hospitals may be warranted.