Global challenges in the access of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke (global MT access)

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care for eligible acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) since 2015.

Our aim was to determine the key challenges for MT implementation and access worldwide.

We conducted an international online survey consisting of 37 questions, distributed through the World Stroke Organization network and as invited by co-authors between December 2022 and March 2023. The survey included a preamble outlining its purpose, questions on respondent demographics, imaging availability, MT service availability, MT selection criteria, barriers to MT, and training status in each country.

We received 526 responses from 89 countries distributed across 7 continents. One hundred and sixteen (22.1%) respondents did not have available MT service, 43 (8.2%) had available MT only during working hours, 362 (68.8%) had 24/7 MT availability. Regarding neuroimaging protocols, 13.5% used non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) only, 40.1% used NCCT/CT angiography, 37.5% used NCCT/CT angiography/CT perfusion), 0.4% used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) only, and 7.8% used MRI/MR angiography. The most common reasons for not receiving MT were cost, late presentation, and lack of availability of qualified neurointerventional services within reasonable distance. There were 59.1% of respondents who reported having a well-structured MT training program. Lack of qualified trainers, financial support, support from higher authorities, and lack of collaboration between departments were the most common obstacles against developing a training program.

Our study highlights significant variations in MT availability, accessibility, patient selection criteria, and MT service training programs worldwide. Financial costs and a shortage of trained neurointerventionalists were the main challenges in low- and middle-income countries.