Overview of patients with vascular pathology and cost analysis of medical care – research market for an entrepreneurial project

Abstract

Introduction: Brain vascular pathology, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), cavernomas, dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF), venous angiomas and capillary telangiectasia, represents a serious health problem worldwide.
 Aim: The aim of this article is to perform an analysis of patients with brain vascular pathology and to analyze costs of health services, a research market for an entrepreneurial project, in order to design guidelines for patients’ selection and treatment.
 Material and methods: We performed an observational, descriptive study of patients with vascular pathology, from 2018 to 2019.
 Results: A total of 153 patients with brain vascular pathology were admitted in our department. Mean age was 49.53 ± 13.997 years. Sex ratio was 0.86. Mean hospital stay was 11.33 ± 13.724 days. Seventy-four patients (48.37%) underwent surgery. Seventy-eight patients (50.98%) had cerebral aneurysms. Complications were seen in 24 patients (30.77%) and vasospasm in 32 cases (41.03%). Thirty-six patients underwent surgery. Outcome was favorable, according to mRS(p=0.001) and Karnofsky score(p=0.006).Thirty-three patients (21.57%) had brain AVMs. Twenty patients underwent surgery. Complications were seen in 4 cases (12.12%). The outcome was favourable, according to mRS(p=0.001) and Karnofsky score (p=0.002). Thirty-nine patients (25.49%) had cavernomas. Surgery was performed in 18 cases. The outcome was favourable, according to Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale, mRS (p=0.000) and Karnofsky score (p =0.000). Costs of health services were correlated with longer hospitalization, higher mRS, lower Karnosfsky score, presence of complications and presence of vasospasm.
 Conclusions: Proper treatment of brain vascular pathology ensures a favourable outcome. Adequate patients’ selection and choosing the best treatment can reduce costs. Surgery is the treatment of choice in ruptured aneurysms, AVMs and cavernomas. Early surgery, with specific treatment of the vascular lesion and removal of intracranial blood ensures a better outcome, with lower medical costs. Prevention of complications, aggressive treatment of vasospasm reduces medical costs.