ISC 2024 | Thrombectomy outcomes in rural areas independent of social determinants of health

Amanda Jagolino-Cole, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, discusses the findings of her study looking at the impact of rurality on thrombectomy outcomes in large vessel occlusion stroke. The study investigated demographics, acute stroke metrics, and social determinants of health in patients transferred to a Get With the Guidelines hospital for thrombectomy, comparing rural versus non-rural patients based on rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Patients living in rural areas had less favorable social determinants of health, including a lower median income, and decreased rates of home ownership and higher education. Notably, the rates of thrombectomy use were lower in patients residing in rural areas compared to non-rural areas, even with controlling for social determinants of health. Acute stroke care disparities are often attributed to social determinants of health, so this finding necessitates further investigation.

Amanda Jagolino-Cole is an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association member who serves on the Stroke Professional Education Committee.

This interview took place during the International Stroke Conference 2024 in Phoenix, AZ.

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