Underutilization of Endovascular Therapy in Black Patients With Ischemic Stroke: An Analysis of State and Nationwide Cohorts
Youngran Kim, Anjail Sharrief, Min Ji Kwak, Swapnil Khose, Rania Abdelkhaleq, Sergio Salazar‐Marioni, Guoqiang Zhang, Sunil A. Sheth
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular therapy (EVT) is a very effective treatment but relies on specialized capabilities that are not available in every hospital where acute ischemic stroke is treated. Here, we assess whether access to and utilization of this therapy has extended uniformly across racial and ethnic groups. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, population-based study using the 2019 Texas Inpatient Public Use Data File. Acute ischemic stroke cases and EVT use were identified using the RESULTS: Among 40 814 acute ischemic stroke cases in Texas in 2019, 54% were White, 17% Black, and 21% Hispanic. Black patients had similar admissions to EVT-performing hospitals and greater admissions to comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs) compared with White patients (EVT 62% versus 62%, CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of disparity in presentation to EVT-performing hospitals or CSCs; however, lower rates of EVT were observed in Black patients.