Identification of Barriers to Access Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Health Care System of Mexico: Results From a National Survey Among Endovascular Neurologists

Background: Providing endovascular treatment (EVT) access for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a challenge in Latin America. Even though the Mexican Endovascular Reperfusion Registry (MERR) and the RESILIENT trial have demonstrated the feasibility of EVT of AIS in Latin America, the MERR has uncovered potential challenges to delivering EVT to AIS patients. Aim: To identify the perceived barriers to access EVT for AIS in Mexico. Methods: We surveyed endovascular neurologists in Mexico. The survey addressed the situation of thrombectomy in the country and the infrastructure and resources available in the participants' institutions. The questionnaire inquired about costs, barriers, and challenges to accessing EVT for AIS, emphasizing the prices and availability of medical devices needed for EVT. Results: We analyzed data from 21 hospitals. The most extreme identified barriers to access EVT were the lack of health coverage for EVT in the National Health System, the cost of the medical supplies for EVT, and inadequate knowledge of stroke symptoms in the general population. The median cost for EVT was USD 20,000 (IQR 7,500–20,000). From this amount, 60% (IQR 50–70%) corresponded to the costs involved with medical devices. EVT carried additional out-of-pocket costs in 90% of the hospitals, and in 57%, the costs exceed USD $10,000. Conclusion: Efforts at all government levels and society are required to tackle these barriers. An increase in and efficient use of public funding for EVT coverage and the deployment of continuous and targeted stroke education campaigns could reduce inequities in EVT access in Mexico.