Access to Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke: Center Qualifications, Prehospital Management, and Geographic Disparities

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) became the 'gold-standard' treatment for most patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. With such a remarkable paradigm shift, it is important that this modality of treatment becomes widely and homogeneously available throughout the United States and other countries. Although the time window for MT is large (24 hours in selected patients), time is still a major determinant of outcome. Several variables are involved in achieving timely access of MT for the majority of the population: prehospital management systems, transportation models, in-hospital workflow organization, accreditation and infrastructure of centers, training of neurointervention professionals, and geographic distribution of centers. The current situation in the United States regarding MT access is marked by geographic and socioeconomic disparities. We provide an overview of current challenges and solutions in achieving more universal access to MT for the population.