SVIN: Mission Thrombectomy Program Takes Aim at Health Equity and Stroke Care

By Fredrick L. Echols, M.D.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, and the burden of the disease disproportionately affects underserved and marginalized communities. However, the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology's (SVIN) Mission Thrombectomy Program is working to address this disparity by providing access to life-saving stroke care to patients in need.

According to the World Health Organization, stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for 11% of all deaths. Moreover, stroke also has a significant impact on the quality of life of stroke survivors, as it can cause long-term disability and cognitive impairment. While stroke can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, it is more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and among people of color and those living in underserved areas.

The SVIN Mission Thrombectomy Program aims to reduce the global burden of stroke by providing access to timely and effective stroke care, particularly in areas with limited resources. The program trains healthcare providers in the latest stroke care techniques and supports the development of stroke centers in underserved areas. The program also works to raise awareness about stroke and its risk factors and advocates for policies that promote stroke prevention and treatment.

The Mission Thrombectomy Program has successfully increased access to stroke care and improved patient outcomes. A study published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery found that patients treated at hospitals participating in the program had lower rates of disability and mortality than patients at non-participating hospitals. The study also found that the program was associated with a higher percentage of patients receiving thrombectomy, a life-saving procedure for certain types of strokes.

The SVIN Mission Thrombectomy Program's efforts to address health equity and stroke care are critical, given the significant burden of stroke on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. By increasing access to timely and effective stroke care, the program is helping to reduce the global burden of stroke and improve the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families.

Sources:

1. World Health Organization. (2021). Stroke. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/stroke

2. Mokin, M., et al. (2021). Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Mission Thrombectomy 2020: Rationale and Design of a Nationwide Observational Study of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke in the US. Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, 13(3), 189-194. https://jnis.bmj.com/content/13/3/189

3. Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology. (n.d.). Mission Thrombectomy. https://www.svin.org/mission-thrombectomy

4. Jansen, R. (2020). Perceptions of healthcare professionals and stroke patients regarding self-management. https://core.ac.uk/download/344926010.pdf

Back to In The News