Thrombectomy after stroke assessed in Swedish Skåne Region

In Sweden, the County Councils are grouped into six healthcare regions to facilitate cooperation and to maintain a high level of advanced medical care. One of them is the Priority Council of Skåne Region established in 2015, which has a long-term mission to oversee the use of drugs and medical methods in the region, as well as managing individual cases. Its role in relation to market access is to prepare and present suggestions for new methods, routines, and treatments, to be included in the healthcare system, to the Regional Executive Board.

In April 2019, the Priority Council of Skane Region has published a health technology assessment report for thrombectomy 6 to 24 hours after stroke, with focus on its efficacy and clinical outcome in comparison to current standard treatment. The following conclusions were provided:

• The analysis of scientific evidence for patient benefit shows that:
  • More than 32% of the patients return to their usual lifestyle within 90 days after the procedure compared to those receiving standard treatment (moderate level of evidence)
  • Less than 5% of the patients died within 90 days (low level of evidence)
• In accordance with the results of HTA analysis, the introduction of this treatment method in Region Skåne and Södra Healthcare Region will affect the entire stroke care pathway as the high number of patients and high demands on treatment accessibility require the joint work of all players in the pathway to optimize transport logistics, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up care
• Overall, the health economic analysis shows that the use of thrombectomy during extended time frames is expected to be cost-saving in a socio-economic perspective and increases patient benefit measured in terms of won quality-adjusted life years. It is likely that the results will not affect ambulance costs.

See the full information in Swedish here.

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