Trends in Disparities in Advanced Neuroimaging Utilization in Acute Stroke: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Our primary objective was to evaluate if disparities in race, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) exist in utilization of advanced neuroimaging in year 2015 in a population-based study. Our secondary objective was to identify the disparity trends and overall imaging utilization as compared with years 2005 and 2010. METHODS: This was a retrospective, population-based study that utilized the GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study) data. Patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack were identified in the years 2005, 2010, and 2015 in a metropolitan population of 1.3 million. The proportion of imaging use within 2 days of stroke/transient ischemic attack onset or hospital admission date was computed. SES determined by the percentage below the poverty level within a given respondent's US census tract of residence was dichotomized. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the odds of advanced neuroimaging use (computed tomography angiogram/magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiogram) for age, race, gender, and SES. RESULTS: There was a total of 10 526 stroke/transient ischemic attack events in the combined study year periods of 2005, 2010, and 2015. The utilization of advanced imaging progressively increased (48% in 2005, 63% in 2010, and 75% in 2015 [P<0.001]). In the combined study year multivariable model, advanced imaging was associated with age and SES. Younger patients (≤55 years) were more likely to have advanced imaging compared with older patients (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.62-2.12]; P<0.01), and low SES patients were less likely to have advanced imaging compared with high SES (adjusted odds ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75-0.93]; P<0.01). A significant interaction was found between age and race. Stratified by age, the adjusted odds of advanced imaging were higher for Black patients compared with White patients among older patients (>55 years; adjusted odds ratio, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.15-1.57]; P<0.01), but no racial differences among the young. CONCLUSIONS: Racial, age, and SES-related disparities exist in the utilization of advanced neuroimaging for patients with acute stroke. There was no evidence of a change in trend of these disparities between the study periods.

Accuracy of CT perfusion-predicted core in the late window.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent endovascular trials have spurred a paradigm shift toward routine use of CT perfusion (CTP) for decision-making in acute ischemic stroke. CTP use in the late window, however, remains under evaluation. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of CTP-predicted core in the late window. METHODS: In a retrospective review of our prospectively identified stroke registry at a single, comprehensive stroke center, we included patients with anterior large vessel occlusions presenting within the 6-24 h window who underwent baseline CTP evaluation and achieved TICI2b or TICI3 reperfusion on endovascular treatment. We recorded baseline CTP-predicted core volumes at relative cerebral blood flow (CBF) thresholds of <30% <34%, and <38% using RAPID software. Final infarct volumes (FIV) were calculated using follow up MRI and CT, obtained within 72 h after stroke onset. RESULTS: Of the eligible patients, 134 met our inclusion criteria. Mean FIV was 39.5 (SD 49.6). Median CTP to reperfusion time was 93.5 min. Median absolute differences between CTP-predicted core and FIV were 14.7, 14.9, and 16.0 ml at <30%, <34%, and <38%, respectively. Correlation between CTP-predicted ischemic cores and FIV was moderate and statistically significant at all thresholds: r = 0.43 (p <0.001), r = 0.43 (p <0.001), and r = 0.42 (p <0.001) at the <30%, <34%, and <38% cutoffs, respectively. CONCLUSION: CTP cores in the 6-24 h period underestimate FIV, especially with larger infarcts. CTP-predicted core volumes in the late window show moderate positive correlation with FIV.